About The Shire

About

Shire Early Education (S.E.E.) is a consciously minded and heartfelt preschool program for children ages 3 – 5. We prioritize inquiry, creativity, and outdoor education. Through this process we weave in academic skills organically, based on students interests and natural curiosity. S.E.E. was founded in 2017 by Ashley (Tink) Kelly in Boise’s North End and accepts students from throughout the treasure valley and beyond.

What we offer

  • Heart centered and consciously minded atmosphere
  • Self regulation skills
  • Student interest driven
  • Field trips and community involvement
  • School readiness activities
  • Multisensory activities
  • Diverse outside play
  • Teaching students to be stewards of the Earth
  • Classroom responsibilities
  • School readiness 
  • Enthusiastic and engaged educators
  • Community building 
  • Empathy emphasis 

S.E.E. values

  • Gratitude
  • Respect
  • Inquiry
  • Joy
  • Diversity
  • Authenticity
  • Collaboration
  • Expression
  • Reflection

Outdoor education

S.E.E. strives to give our children as much access to the outdoors as possible. We believe that direct engagement with the natural environment at an early age yields many benefits including: developing a child’s lifelong connection with nature, increased attention and learning, exercise and physical development, confidence and self-direction. Our kids are outside for a large part of the day. Read more about a typical day at S.E.E. here.

Children spend their outside time running around with access to approximately two acres of open space, riding kick bikes and scooters, helping in the garden, tending to the chickens, building fairy homes, playing imagination games, practicing school readiness skills with found natural objects, using the wagons to go for walks and adventures in the neighborhood, exploring  play structures, playing in the mud kitchen, and diving into dramatic play, engaging in group games, science projects, loose parts play, and creating art! 

Warm nurturing teachers

S.E.E. staff members are chosen for their warmth and patience, as well as mindfulness in their interaction with the children. Our teachers have diverse experience working around the world and backgrounds in many other fields including medicine and higher education as certified teachers. Each teacher brings their unique personality and love for children to add to a cohesive community of caregivers. 

Inquiry based education

We are a student-centered program. We often ask, “What do YOU want to do?” Each child learns at his or her own pace and engages with the things they are curious about. We believe that the most effective learning happens in the natural state of flow when children are at play. While still keeping to a routine,  children have many choices throughout the day to direct their own learning. It is amazing to see what they come up with! We celebrate creativity and individual ownership for these spaces. Even though there is an individual emphasis, we have integrated hive-mind learning too so our students are well versed in group dynamics and prepared for whatever type of education program comes next. 

Conscious discipline

Created by Dr. Becky Bailey, an internationally renowned expert in child developmental psychology, Conscious Discipline® is built on the premise of developing discipline within children rather than applying discipline to them.  The program focuses on Emotion/Behavior Regulation and Emotion Knowledge/Expression, 

Shire Early Education uses the Conscious Discipline classroom tools and philosophy to create a loving and cohesive school family where each student feels empowered to express themselves and connect to others with mutual respect. A few of our favorite Conscious Discipline strategies include the safe space, the check-in mat, “I Love You” rituals, classroom responsibilities, and good morning and good-bye greetings. Each of these strategies focus on choices, self-regulation, and teaching empathy and consent. 

Various Approaches

Place-based Education is an educational philosophy focused on preschool and primary education. It is a pedagogy described as student-centered and constructivist that utilizes self-directed, experiential learning in relationship-driven environments. The program is based on the principles of respect, responsibility, and community through exploration and discovery through a self-guided curriculum. At its core is an assumption that deep and meaningful connections to nature, the environment, people, and cultures drive purposeful learning.

Waldorf education has slightly influenced our program as well to be more creative, celebrate the seasons changing, sing, dance, and spend more time on practical skills. The Association of Waldorf Schools in North America describe Waldorf education as, “Founded in the early 20th century, Waldorf education is based on the insights, teachings and principles of education outlined by the world renowned artist, and scientist, Rudolf Steiner. The principles of Waldorf education evolve from an understanding of human development that address the needs of the growing child. Music, dance and theater, writing, literature, legends and myths are not simply subjects to be read about and tested. They are experienced. Through these experiences, Waldorf students cultivate their intellectual, emotional, physical and spiritual capacities to be individuals certain of their paths and to be of service to the world (ASANA, 2020).”

Although, S.E.E. does not completely model itself after Place-based Education or Waldorf education, we are inspired by the wholeness of these systems. We focus on viewing the child as an autonomous being, connecting with our community, and integrating nature into our lives each day. We also are in alignment with Idaho’s standards for preschool/kindergarten age content. This includes, but is not limited to letter and number identification, letter sound recognition, initial and ending sound identification, comparing, contrasting, sorting, categorizing, measuring, weighting, sequencing, retelling, parts of a story, rhyming, fine motor skill development, and colors and shapes. Our program is not oriented around drilling skills or worksheets. We find it more engaging and useful to teach these skills through authentic experience and special interests. 

Parent communication

We believe that strong partnerships with families begin with clear, consistent communication. At Shire Early Education, we use ProCare, a trusted communications platform, to keep parents connected throughout the day. Through the app, families receive important announcements, reminders, calendars, invoices, and secure messaging all in one place. We also share photos and updates so you can catch glimpses of your child’s adventures, discoveries, and joyful moments while they’re with us. Procare helps us ensure that communication is timely, organized, and easily accessible, allowing us to work together in supporting your child’s growth and creating a strong connection between home and school. We also have parent-teacher conferences several times per year to discuss developmental milestones, age-appropriate goals, and deepen our partnership to commit to the well-being of your child. 

Parent engagement opportunities

Shire Early Education offers many volunteer opportunities for parents and guardians to engage directly with the students. Opportunities include volunteering in the classroom, reading at story time, chaperoning for field trips and more! Only currently enrolled parents or guardians, and their approved family members, are allowed to volunteer at S.E.E. We also have consistent gatherings for our entire school family to get involved with one another.