Business Details
25 Years
experience
Your Trusted Boulder Preschool for Play-Based Learning & Kindergarten Prep
Founded in 2001, Dream Makers Preschool has been a trusted provider of early childhood education in Boulder, Colorado. Our family-owned and operated preschool combines a nurturing environment with a play-based curriculum designed to foster curiosity, creativity, and lifelong learning. With a 5:1 student-teacher ratio, our experienced educators prioritize individualized attention, tailoring activities to each child's interests and developmental needs. Our unique programs integrate STEM, art, and the Reggio Emilia approach, supported by specialized Kindergarten Prep sessions and weekly enrichment activities like ballroom dancing and Grandfriends visits. Located adjacent to Boulder Creek, our facility offers seamless indoor-outdoor play spaces that encourage exploration and connection with nature.We maintain a commitment to organic snacks, a warm community atmosphere, and a team of qualified teachers with decades of combined experience in early childhood education. As active members of the Boulder community, we host family events and seasonal activities that strengthen relationships between students, staff, and families. Our Love & Logic parenting philosophy aligns with our educational approach, ensuring consistent support for children's social, emotional, and academic growth. With the owner onsite and actively teaching, we uphold our mission to nurture both hearts and minds in a joyful, inclusive environment.
Services
Preschool Programs
Kindergarten Prep
Summer Camp
STEM + Art Integration
Reggio Emilia Approach
Music & Cooking Classes
Grandfriends Visits
Organic Snack Program
Details
- Year established: 2001
Highlights and features
- Family-owned preschool with 20+ years of local experience
- 5:1 student-teacher ratio ensures personalized attention
- Unique Boulder Creek location with indoor-outdoor learning spaces
- Specialized Kindergarten Prep program with proven success
- Experienced teaching team with decades of early childhood expertise
Services
Preschool Programs
Our play-based preschool programs for ages 3-6 combine structured learning with free exploration. Children engage in daily art projects, outdoor creek-side activities, and social development exercises while following individualized learning paths tailored to their interests and abilities.
Kindergarten Prep
Specialized Tuesday/Thursday afternoon sessions prepare children for kindergarten success. Certified teachers implement curriculum focusing on literacy, numeracy, and social skills through interactive lessons that mirror elementary school environments while maintaining playful learning approaches.
Summer Camp
Extended summer programming maintains educational continuity through themed activities and outdoor exploration. The creek-side location supports nature-based learning while weekly special events and consistent teacher relationships ensure smooth transitions between academic years.
STEM + Art Integration
Daily curriculum combines scientific concepts with artistic expression using the Reggio Emilia approach. Children explore physics through building projects, biology through nature observation, and mathematics through creative play while developing fine motor skills and creative problem-solving abilities.
Reggio Emilia Approach
Our educational philosophy emphasizes child-directed learning within structured frameworks. Teachers document individual progress through observation portfolios, creating personalized learning journeys that respond to children's natural curiosities while meeting developmental milestones through project-based activities.
People
Deb Gedenberg
Owner, Director, Lead Teacher
Deb founded Dream Makers Preschool in 2002 after seven years teaching at Mesa Elementary in the Boulder Valley School District. With over 30 years of early childhood education experience, she combines Love & Logic principles with Reggio Emilia methods to create nurturing learning environments.
Crissy Gedenberg
Teacher
Crissy joined the team in 2005, bringing her art education background to the role of atelierista. She designs creative projects using diverse media that align with the Reggio Emilia curriculum, fostering artistic expression and fine motor development through playful, child-centered instruction.
Questions
What age groups do you serve?
We accept children aged 3-6 years old for our preschool programs, including specialized Kindergarten Prep sessions for children entering elementary school.
What is your student-teacher ratio?
Our programs maintain a 5:1 student-teacher ratio with two teachers in each classroom, ensuring personalized attention and individualized learning plans for every child.
What curriculum approaches do you use?
We combine the Reggio Emilia approach with Love & Logic principles, integrating STEM concepts and art through play-based learning while preparing children for kindergarten success.
Are meals provided?
We provide organic fruit and vegetable snacks daily. Families pack lunches for their children, and we accommodate special dietary needs with advance notice.
What outdoor facilities do you have?
Our unique location adjacent to Boulder Creek offers dedicated outdoor play areas with picnic spaces, nature exploration zones, and secure play structures supporting physical development and environmental education.
How do you communicate with parents?
We maintain regular communication through daily updates, progress portfolios, and parent-teacher conferences. The owner is onsite daily and available for immediate family consultations.
