The Ross Preschool was built on a simple but profound belief: the early years are the most important years. Everything we do flows from that conviction.
Preschool should be a magical, joyful place where children are free to run, play, laugh, sing, dance, create, paint, imagine, discover, get dirty, and be loved and accepted for exactly who they are. We strive for play and learning to be seamless - never once forgetting that for each child, the quality of this first school experience will last a lifetime.
Our task is to create an environment that gives each child a feeling of security and happiness while encouraging curiosity, exploration, and experimentation - the stepping stones to learning. We want our children to become confident, independent, and eager to greet the possibilities of each new day.
In a world that is changing faster than any of us expected, we believe the most durable gift we can give a child isn't a set of facts - it's the love of learning itself. The courage to ask questions. The resilience to try again. The empathy to care deeply about others.
Raising good humans.
We help every child discover who they are - and develop the character, confidence, and curiosity to shape who they become.
We cultivate critical thinkers, creative problem-solvers, and lifelong learners through intentional, play-based exploration that sparks curiosity at every turn.
We nurture each child's social-emotional growth - building empathy, resilience, self-regulation, and the genuine confidence that comes from feeling truly known and loved.
We instill a strong moral compass, a sense of responsibility to others, and the belief that each child has the power to make a meaningful and positive impact on the world.
In Japan, ikigai - roughly translated as "a reason for being" - describes the intersection of what you love, what you're good at, what the world needs, and what fulfills you. We think about preschool the same way. Our job isn't just to get your child ready for kindergarten. It's to help them discover who they are.
The most important thing we can do isn't prepare children for the next grade. It's prepare them for the rest of their life.
Our curriculum is play-based and nature-oriented by design. Research consistently shows that young children learn best when they are active, engaged, and emotionally connected to what they're exploring. We create rich environments that invite curiosity and spark wonder - then step back and let children lead.
We listen closely to our students. We observe what lights them up, what questions they're asking, what challenges they're navigating - then use that knowledge intentionally, designing projects and experiences that meet each child exactly where they are and gently expand their world.
And we never forget that our most important relationship isn't just with the child - it's with the family. Parents are our partners. We communicate openly, involve you deeply, and work together to ensure every child feels seen, loved, and supported.
Every day at TRP is filled with curiosity, connection, and genuine joy. Here's a small window into the moments that make this place so special.
In a small program like ours, the teachers aren't just educators - they become genuinely important people in your child's life. Our long-tenured team knows every child by name, by personality, by what makes them light up. That depth of relationship is rare, and families feel it immediately.
Our teachers have been with TRP for years - some for many years. That stability means your child builds genuine, lasting relationships with the adults in their world. Consistency is a gift at this age.
Every child at TRP feels seen, known, and deeply loved. Because our program is intentionally small, our teachers can truly know each child - and that sense of belonging is the foundation everything else is built on.
Our teachers design every activity with purpose - and the results are visible. Families regularly tell us the joy at TRP is something you can feel from the sidewalk before you even walk through the door.
David Allen-Hughes has worked with preschool and elementary-aged children and families for over 20 years. Born in Kenya to a Swiss mother and a British father, David attended preschool in France before moving to Ross and later Mill Valley. He went on to attend boarding and preparatory school in Massachusetts, earned his bachelor's degree from Sonoma State University, and completed both a Multiple Subjects Teaching Credential and a Master of Education at Dominican University.
A former elementary school teacher and principal, David holds multiple California Child Development Permits, including Master Teacher, Site Supervisor, and Preschool Program Director. He is the founder and former owner of Camp Doodles (multi-site day camps throughout Marin and San Francisco) and Marin Ranch Camp (an overnight summer camp).
At TRP, David serves in a senior leadership and support role, guiding the school's mission, values, and long-term direction. He volunteers with the Make-A-Wish Foundation and Guide Dogs for the Blind, and is often seen around San Anselmo with guide dog puppies in training.
With generations of educators in her family, Sydney's love of education is in her blood. She pursued her passion at the University of Arizona, earning a B.A. in Elementary Education and her M.A. in Education at Northern Arizona University.
While teaching K-2 students in Arizona, Sydney's experience included working with diverse cultures and socioeconomic backgrounds, leading the math program and serving as a mentor to student teachers. After taking time off to raise her children, she resumed her passion for teaching in 2017, serving pre-schoolers with Amazing Athletes in Marin.
A Marin local since 2012, Sydney lives with her husband Andy, children Andrew and Lucy, and the family's beloved dog Bear. She loves cooking, entertaining, playing Pickleball, and spending time on the beach with her family.
Passionate educators who bring warmth, expertise, and genuine joy to every day at TRP.
The Ross Preschool is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization, founded on the belief that exceptional early childhood education should serve our community - not just those who can most easily afford it. Every decision we make is guided by what's best for our children and families, not a profit margin.
Families trust us not just with their children's days - but with their children's development. We take that trust seriously and earn it through operational excellence, clear and consistent communication, and leadership that is actively present in the life of the school every single day. When you bring your child to TRP, you always know who is in charge and that they care deeply.
We are accountable to our community, our families, and most importantly - to the children whose first school experience is in our hands. That's a responsibility we carry with pride every single day.
The years between 2 and 5 are irreplaceable. We partner with families to make them count - building purpose, character, and capability your child will carry for the rest of their life.