Business Details
Trusted Preschool Education in Boise
At Wesleyan Preschool, we have dedicated ourselves to nurturing young minds for over six decades. Established in 1963 as one of Boise's first kindergartens, our program emphasizes holistic development through play-based learning and structured academic engagement. Our experienced educators create a secure environment where children develop cognitive, emotional, and social skills while fostering individual confidence and community responsibility. With small class sizes and personalized attention, we implement educational theories that balance freedom with boundaries to cultivate self-directed learners. Our facility features specialized spaces for sensory exploration, creative arts, and physical development, all designed to meet Idaho's early childhood education standards.As a community-driven institution, we maintain open communication with families and offer flexible scheduling options to accommodate working parents. Our leadership team combines decades of experience in early childhood education with ongoing professional development to ensure our practices remain current and effective. Through parent engagement opportunities and transitional programs, we support children's developmental journeys from toddlerhood through kindergarten readiness.
Services
3/4's Preschool
4/5's Preschool
Transitional Kindergarten
Extended Afternoons
Before School Care
Parent & Tot Class
Play-Based Curriculum
STEM Activities
Art Exploration
Social Development
Highlights and features
- We offer 60+ years of specialized early childhood education experience
- Our small class sizes ensure personalized attention for each child
- Experienced educators implement evidence-based play-based learning methods
- We provide flexible scheduling with extended care options
- Our curriculum balances academic preparation with emotional development
What people say
Nurturing environment
Compassionate support
Joy of learning
Lifelong friends
Play-based learning
Services
3/4's Preschool Program
This program serves children aged 3-4 with developmentally appropriate activities. Classes focus on socialization, motor skills, and early literacy through play-based learning. Two experienced teachers maintain a 7:1 student ratio to ensure personalized attention and foster emotional growth.
Transitional Kindergarten
Designed for children nearing kindergarten age, this program combines academic preparation with social development. Small-class instruction emphasizes structured learning while maintaining individualized attention to ensure school readiness through mixed-age group activities.
Parent & Tot Class
This introductory class pairs caregivers with children aged 2-3 for guided learning experiences. The curriculum focuses on separation anxiety reduction through gradual independence while maintaining caregiver presence for emotional security and developmental support.
Extended Afternoons
Available for enrolled students, this afternoon program extends learning through STEM activities and creative arts. Certified staff maintain educational continuity while providing flexible scheduling options for working families with structured afternoon enrichment activities.
4/5's Preschool Program
This program prepares children aged 4-5 for kindergarten through advanced academic concepts and social skill development. Certified teachers implement Idaho's early learning standards while maintaining play-based methodology to ensure engaging, developmentally appropriate instruction for school readiness.
People
Gina Munkers
Director
With 21 years in early childhood education, Gina leads our program having previously taught at art-based charter schools and developed home childcare programs. She holds a BS in Elementary Education and Idaho K-8 teaching credentials.
Patti Valenzuela
Assistant Director
Patti brings 18 years of preschool teaching experience and dual master's degrees in counseling and elementary education. She also serves as assistant director for Kids Are Special People while managing our administrative operations.
Dawn Wood
Classroom Teacher
With 23 years of teaching experience across three states, Dawn specializes in infant and toddler development. She holds a BA in Human Development with specialization in early childhood education for infants and toddlers.
Courtney Bolton
Transitional Kindergarten Teacher
Courtney combines Montessori expertise with traditional preschool methods. She graduated from Boise State University with elementary education credentials and maintains active involvement in local educational communities.
Maggie Beltrami
Classroom Teacher
A 15-year former Wesleyan director, Maggie holds a degree in early childhood education and has taught preschool for seven years. She previously led children's school divisions in Colorado Springs and served as Pre-K teacher at Riverstone International School.
Questions
What age requirements must children meet for enrollment?
Children must be 3 by September 1st for 3/4's program, 4 for 4/5's classes, and 5 by November 1st for Transitional Kindergarten.
What curriculum approach do you use?
We implement a play-based curriculum combining multiple educational theories with structured learning through hands-on activities and creative exploration.
Are extended care options available?
Yes, we offer extended afternoons Monday-Thursday with STEM, art, and literacy activities, plus before-school drop-off starting at 8:00 AM.
What qualifications do your teachers hold?
Our staff includes certified educators with degrees in early childhood education, elementary education, and counseling, plus decades of combined teaching experience.
How do you communicate with parents?
We maintain regular communication through weekly photos/videos, parent conferences, and direct email/text contact with classroom teachers and administrators.
