From childhood wonder to lifelong learning
Rolling admissions
·Registration for 2027-28 now open!
·Colorado UPK provider
Our Programs
Two early-childhood programs with room to explore, grow, and get ready for what's next.
Preschool
Our early childhood program blends play-based exploration with purposeful learning. Experienced teachers, abundant outdoor and pool time, weekly walking field trips, and a play-based curriculum shaped by each child's interests nurture curiosity and school readiness.
Request Info →
Transitional Kindergarten
A gentle bridge that prepares children for Kindergarten, our Transitional Kindergarten program combines the social-emotional focus of preschool with some structured learning, including project-based literacy, cooking club math, and nature walk science.
Request Info →Have an older sibling or thinking longer-term? Explore Bixby Elementary →
"We transferred our son from a local daycare to Bixby, and it made a world of difference! The campus feels like home, all the playground spaces are amazing, and the teachers' expertise is obvious from day 1. We were bracing for tears, but they never came — our son is genuinely excited to go to "new school" every day!"
— Bixby Preschool Parent
Why Families Choose Bixby
The Bixby experience is deliberately designed to support and cultivate children's innate curiosity, experimentation, and wonder.
Campus built for exploration
No cold institutional classrooms here. Instead, three acres of gardens, play yards, climbing structures, and outdoor space for little legs to run. An indoor saltwater pool for twice-weekly swim lessons. A dedicated music room, drama room, and classrooms designed for messy, hands-on work. Weekly walking field trips to nearby parks, ponds, and the neighborhood library — all on a home-like campus where little ones feel at ease from day one.
Teaching built on play
Every preschooler arrives curious — about puddles, about worms, about how the cooking pot works. Bixby teachers observe each child and follow their lead, through building, cooking, music exploration, dramatic play, and nature walks. No tests, no grades, no report cards — just open conversations that give you the full story, day after day. By the time your child walks into kindergarten, they haven't just learned letters and numbers. They've learned that learning feels good.
Community built for belonging
Every adult in the building — the office staff, the facilities manager, the chef — knows your child by name. Bixby elementary students love reading to our preschoolers, and younger siblings grow up watching the bigger kids on the playground. Parents come along on field trips and visit classrooms to share family traditions. Firefighters, doctors, and police officers drop in for show-and-tell.
A year of little rituals
Traditions the children look forward to — and come home talking about.
Fall
Halloween Costume Parade
Each class dreams up costumes that bring their group name to life, then parades through campus.
Pumpkins in the Pool
A Halloween pool party with floating pumpkins, a disco ball, and a gourd hunt.
Winter
Gift-Making in December
Children quietly craft surprise gifts for their families.
Valentine Bag Decorating
Handmade Valentines come from home, and bags decorated at school carry them back.
Spring
Spring Art Show
A real gallery of artwork created by Bixby preschoolers.
The Sleepunder
Preschoolers come back to Bixby in their pajamas for an evening of great food, storytime, and "sleep."
Celebrations
Birthday Crowns
Every birthday child makes their own crown, with lunchtime candles to match.
Graduation Tie-Dye
An end-of-year send-off, bittersweet and colorful, for graduating preschoolers.
Meet Your Child's Teachers
Experienced, credentialed early-childhood educators who know how to meet every child right where they are.
Head of School
Nina Lopez
Harvard-Radcliffe College, B.A. · Columbia University, JD
Nina leads campus tours personally and is the first person you'll meet when you visit Bixby. A Bixby parent since 2012 and Head of School since 2018, she brings 20+ years in education and a deep belief in every child's potential.
"I believe deeply in the potential of every child and in the power of individualized, responsive education to realize that potential."
Preschool & TK Faculty
Assistant Director of Early Childhood
Alison Wolfe
At Bixby since 2006 · BS, St. Cloud State University · Large Center Director Certification
"What has drawn me to teaching at Bixby is the opportunity to incorporate and execute a curriculum of my own — one that has evolved and grown over my many years of teaching."
Preschool Teacher
Susanne Benton
25 years working with children and families · BS, Human Ecology (Child and Family Studies)
"I'm most happy when surrounded by students, supporting them to discover their skills and passions."
Transitional Kindergarten & Preschool Teacher
Amanda Klimecki
23 years in early-childhood education · Colorado Shines Level 5 · Large Center Director Certification
"Teaching a child not to step on a caterpillar is as important to the child as it is to the caterpillar."
Preschool Teacher & Child Development Specialist
Anna Walker
At Bixby since 2016 · MSEd, Early Childhood and Special Education, Bank Street Graduate School of Education
"Learning happens best through meaningful relationships and experiences."
Preschool Teacher
Elizabeth Warren
At Bixby since 2018 · Early childhood education certificate; ECE degree in progress
"I love the wonder young children have when they experience something or grasp a new concept for the first time."
Preschool Teacher
Julianna Inman
6 years teaching preschool · MEd, Early Childhood Education, CU Denver · Colorado Shines Level 5
"I love bringing global elements into the classroom and helping broaden the world for young learners."
Frequently Asked Questions
Bixby is different by design. Here are the top questions we get from prospective preschool families.
What makes Bixby Preschool different?
Bixby is a progressive, play-based preschool with a 6:1 student-to-teacher ratio. Core teachers are experienced early-childhood specialists who stay with your child across the full day — no rotating staff. Every child has daily outdoor time on our 3-acre campus and twice-weekly swim lessons in our indoor saltwater pool.
What does a day look like for my child?
A Bixby day balances child-directed play with small-group learning. Children move between indoor learning centers, outdoor exploration, and teacher-led small groups shaped around their interests. Mornings bring age-group time on Mondays and Fridays, swim lessons on Tuesdays and Thursdays, and field trips on Wednesdays. After a chef-prepared lunch eaten together, children nap or rest during quiet time, then free play fills the afternoon until pickup. Extended care is available from 8 a.m. to 5:45 p.m., staffed by Bixby teachers your child already knows.
How do you prepare children for kindergarten?
Children build the foundations kindergarten assumes — early literacy and numeracy, self-regulation, curiosity, and the ability to work in a group — through play, not worksheets. Teachers observe every child daily and know where each one is developmentally, so readiness is built over time, with the pace tailored to each child. Families who stay through Bixby's own Kindergarten program benefit from continuity with the same teaching approach.
What ages does Bixby Preschool serve?
Bixby is licensed to serve children starting at 2.5 years old. If your child will turn 2.5 during the school year, you can apply now to reserve your spot and join the class once they reach that age — tuition is prorated accordingly. In the year before kindergarten, families can choose between continuing in preschool or enrolling in our Transitional Kindergarten program, which offers a bridge year of more structured learning for children who want extra preparation before making the jump.
Is Bixby a good fit for gifted, twice-exceptional, or neurodivergent learners?
Bixby's small class sizes and individualized approach make it a strong environment for children who learn differently — whether they're gifted, twice-exceptional, or neurodivergent. With a 6:1 student-to-teacher ratio, our teachers can adapt instruction to each child's learning profile rather than teaching to the middle of a large class. We don't use a one-size-fits-all curriculum. Teachers start with who your child is — their strengths, their challenges, their interests — and build from there. If applicable, we request copies of evaluations and provider recommendations during admissions so we can work collaboratively with your family to develop a support plan.
How do I know if Bixby is the right fit for my child?
The best way to find out is to visit. Tours last about 45 minutes, are led by our Head of School Nina, and include time in active classrooms. You'll leave with the answers to the questions specific to your child.
Recognized & Accredited
Schedule a Tour with Nina
Book a campus visit with our Head of School to see Bixby in action!
Have questions? Get in touch.
Fill out the form below and our admissions team will be in touch within one business day.
Or call us today at (303) 494-7508
Vendor or business inquiry? Please email office@bixbyschool.org instead.