Private Preschool Program | North Carolina
Finding the right private preschool is an important step in your child’s early learning journey. Families want a school where their child feels welcomed, supported, and inspired to learn each day. At Cranfield Academy, our private preschool program in North Carolina provides a nurturing child care environment where children develop confidence, curiosity, and meaningful friendships while preparing for the next stage of school. In our thoughtfully designed classrooms, experienced teachers guide young learners through hands-on activities, playful discovery, and engaging lessons that help every child grow, explore, and build a strong foundation for a bright future.
Private Preschool Program Enrollment
Ages Served
3 years to 4 years
Schedule Options
Full-day and part-time preschool options available based on classroom openings and family needs.
Hours
7:00 AM - 6:00 PM, Monday through Friday
Is Potty Training Required?
Yes. Children should be consistently potty-trained before joining our preschool classrooms. Our teachers work closely with parents to provide guidance, encouragement, and gentle support during this stage so every child can enter the program feeling confident and ready.
Curriculum Focus
Our private preschool curriculum blends literacy, early math, hands-on discovery, and purposeful play with a whole-child approach that supports language, creativity, and problem-solving. At Cranfield Academy, children learn through our Creative Curriculum, teacher-guided experiences, and open-ended exploration that reflects their individual interests. Research on the Creative Curriculum and high-quality early childhood education shows that strong preschool experiences help prepare children for pre-kindergarten, kindergarten, and long-term school success.
Daily Routine
Balanced mix of structured learning, free play, outdoor time, and rest periods
Classroom Experience
Our preschool classroom is designed to inspire curiosity and confidence. Learning centers, educational materials, hands-on experiences, and teacher-guided instruction create a supportive environment where young minds can explore, communicate, and build independence. In our child care center, every space is intentionally created to help children feel calm, engaged, and ready to learn.
About Our Private Preschool Program
At Cranfield Academy, our mission is to nurture the whole child and create a place where families feel supported, connected, and confident in the care and education their little one receives. Our private preschool reflects that mission every day through responsive teaching, meaningful relationships, and a rich curriculum that helps children build the academic and life skills they need for the years ahead. We believe a truly special school experience is rooted in warmth, consistency, and a commitment to helping each child feel seen, valued, and loved. These preschool years matter deeply because they shape how children think, feel, and relate to the world around them. Research continues to show that strong early childhood education improves readiness for school, and the Harvard Center on the Developing Child explains that supportive, stable environments help children build the foundation for healthy growth and lifelong learning. That is why we work so hard to create a nurturing environment where your child loves learning, feels safe to take risks, and begins building a lifelong love of discovery.
From 3 to 4: Development Support for Every Stage
The preschool years are a beautiful season of growth when young minds become more expressive, independent, and eager to understand the world. Through hands-on experiences, responsive guidance, and a carefully planned curriculum, we help children discover who they are and what they can do.
- Language and Early Literacy Development – Strong communication begins with rich conversation, storytelling, songs, and meaningful classroom interaction. Our teachers help children build listening, speaking, and early reading skills so they can express themselves with growing confidence. These early language experiences give children a strong foundation for pre-k and future academic success.
- Hands-On Math and Science Exploration – Preschoolers are naturally curious, and we use that curiosity to help them explore numbers, patterns, sorting, measurement, and simple science concepts. Through experiments, learning centers, and playful discovery, children begin making connections that help them understand how the world works.
- Social and Emotional Growth – Our preschool classrooms help children practice sharing, listening, problem-solving, and empathy. In this nurturing environment, children develop self-control, confidence, and healthy communication skills while building friendships that make school feel joyful and secure.
- Physical Development and Active Play – Movement matters in early childhood, which is why our children enjoy outdoor play, gross motor activities, and opportunities for fresh air every day. These experiences support coordination, strength, focus, and healthy habits while giving children time to move, imagine, and simply enjoy being kids.
- Creativity, Independence, and Confidence – Preschool is also a time for imagination, self-expression, and growing independence. Through art, sensory play, dramatic play, and self-chosen learning activities, children discover their strengths and begin to see themselves as capable learners who can succeed in school and in life.
Preschool Program Enrollment and Registration
Ready to give your little one the benefits of a high-quality private preschool experience? Our admissions process is designed to feel welcoming, simple, and supportive for families who are deciding on the right next step for their child. Whether you are looking for full-time care or part-time preschool, our team is here to answer questions, explain the programs we offer, and help you find the best fit for your family’s needs. We invite you to visit our school, meet our teachers, and see our preschool spaces in person. When parents step inside our child care center, they often feel a sense of calm, warmth, and peace that tells them this is a place where their child can truly belong.
Why Families Trust Cranfield Academy in North Carolina
Families choose Cranfield Academy because our preschool program offers more than care during the day. It offers connection, consistency, and a place where children are encouraged to grow with confidence.
- Our campus proudly maintains a 5 Star rating from North Carolina’s Division of Child Development & Early Education, demonstrating our commitment to high-quality education, safety, and excellence in childcare.
- Our private preschool classrooms are led by caring, experienced teachers who are deeply committed to whole-child growth and meaningful teaching.
- We create a nurturing environment where children feel safe, valued, and excited to learn alongside their classmates and teachers.
- Our Creative Curriculum helps children learn through hands-on activities, guided instruction, and experiences shaped by their natural interests.
- Healthy snacks and nutritious lunch options prepared on site support wellness, focus, and energy throughout the day.
- Outdoor spaces give children room for movement, fresh air, and active play, which supports healthy growth and joyful exploration.
- Our secure campus procedures and controlled building access help parents feel confident that their child is in a safe place.
- Strong family communication helps us connect with parents and serve each child with care, clarity, and consistency.
- Our preschool program helps prepare children for a successful pre-kindergarten program and a bright future in kindergarten and beyond.
- Cranfield Academy supports children from infants and toddlers through preschool, giving families continuity and a familiar school community.
- We are proud that 96% of our students meet or exceed national benchmarks, reflecting the strength of our teaching and the foundation we help children build.
Parent Reviews
Ashley K.
January 21, 2025
We love Cranfield, the staff, the teachers. I would recommend it to anyone!
Kaycee M.
December 17, 2024
We love all of the staff, communication, and extra special details that make our little one feel special, safe, and happy to go to school.
Marissa B.
December 3, 2024
Cranfield has been an amazing place for us. Our son has grown immensely and the staff are so caring and engaged. He looks forward to going each day and is always so happy. We love that they send updates throughout the day and the stimulating curriculum they implement.
Jeanne F.
December 3, 2024
We loved our time at Cranfield Academy. The teachers and staff were wonderful and took great care of all 3 of our children! Our son had some medical and behavioral difficulties, but the teachers at Cranfield worked with us to make sure he had a wonderful experience as well.
Ashley D.
October 15, 2024
My son Eli has been going to this school for over a year and he a absolutely loves this school. He loves his teachers Ms. Deera & Ms. Madelyn, he enjoys all his friends and its a very welcoming environment, and I have never had an issue with anything at the school. I thank everyone here for their hard work and always the friendly attitudes.
Russell L.
September 4, 2024
The staff is the best.
April G.
April 2, 2024
Mrs. Libby Gant and the staff work really hard to make the environment safe and educational for the kids. She works hard to quickly address issues that may arise. As a parent, I feel informed and that means so much when your child is in someone else's hands.
Jean F.
January 16, 2024
The many things to which they expose our children.
Alexandra C.
September 27, 2023
We love the teachers. Ms. Rachel, Ms. Keyona and Ms. Barbara, (Mr. James, the chef too), are so beloved by our daughter. Our daughter thinks Ms. Rachel is the coolest person ever. Ms. Rachel is warm, bubbly, compassionate, kind and such an amazing teacher. She makes all the kids feel special. Ms. Keyona is fun, personable and will explore children’s interests with them. Ms. Barbara is our new teacher this year who we love so far, and our daughter is so eager to make Ms. Barbara proud. And Mr. James makes the best food per our daughter. If I try to make something at home that Mr. James makes, she always says that his version is better.
Keyonna T.
September 5, 2023
Awesome director, center and teachers!!
A Private School Serving North Carolina
Many children begin with our infants and toddlers and continue into our preschool classrooms, allowing them to build strong relationships and a lasting sense of belonging within our school community. That continuity helps children feel secure, helps parents feel supported, and gives each child a steady path forward as they grow.
Other Programs Offered at Our North Carolina School
Our infant program offers loving child care in a secure, engaging setting where babies begin to build trust, connection, and the earliest foundations for learning.
Our toddler program encourages independence, language growth, and early social development through guided play, movement, and meaningful exploration.
Our early preschool classrooms help younger learners build routines, curiosity, and confidence through developmentally appropriate experiences and hands-on discovery.
Our pre-k program provides children with additional readiness support through more advanced academics, independence-building, and school preparation.
Our summer programs keep children engaged with creative projects, outdoor fun, and new friendships while school is out.
Other Programs Offered at Our North Carolina School
Our infant program offers loving child care in a secure, engaging setting where babies begin to build trust, connection, and the earliest foundations for learning.
Our toddler program encourages independence, language growth, and early social development through guided play, movement, and meaningful exploration.
Our early preschool classrooms help younger learners build routines, curiosity, and confidence through developmentally appropriate experiences and hands-on discovery.
Our pre-k program provides children with additional readiness support through more advanced academics, independence-building, and school preparation.
Our summer programs keep children engaged with creative projects, outdoor fun, and new friendships while school is out.
Preschool Program 3-4 Years Sample Schedule
7:00 a.m. - 8:30 a.m. Free Play: Children arrive and engage in self-guided play at all learning centers, focusing on exploration and discovery.
8:30 a.m. - 9:00 a.m. Morning Snack: Nutritious morning snacks provide energy while children practice social skills and healthy eating habits.
9:00 a.m. - 10:30 a.m. Circle Time and Learning Centers: Morning group time includes calendar discussions and daily events. Children then participate in theme-related learning centers that offer choices in how they learn and play.
10:30 a.m. - 11:00 a.m. Outdoor Play and Learning Centers: Weather permitting, children enjoy fresh air through physical fitness and outdoor exploration. Indoor alternatives include cooperative games and gross motor activities.
11:00 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. Group Activities: Preschoolers focus on alphabet activities, journaling, and other structured learning experiences that build academic skills.
11:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. Lunch: Hot, nutritious lunch provides balanced nutrition while children practice conversation skills and table manners in a social setting.
12:30 p.m. - 2:30 p.m. Rest/Nap Period: Children rest quietly with soft music to recharge for afternoon activities. Quiet activities accommodate different rest needs.
2:30 p.m. - 3:00 p.m. Afternoon Snack: Healthy snacks fuel continued learning and provide opportunities for social interaction and communication.
3:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. Learning Centers: Preschoolers engage in open-ended learning activities with choices about their learning path and play preferences.
4:00 p.m. - 4:30 p.m. Outdoor Play and Learning Centers: Second outdoor opportunity supports physical development and fresh air exploration with friends.
4:30 p.m. - 6:00 p.m. Learning Centers: The day concludes with group games and free play across all learning centers including music, sensory experiences, art, and creative exploration.
Frequently Asked Questions About Our Private Preschool Program
Our program combines academic readiness with social emotional development in a nurturing environment. We focus on building a lifelong love of learning through hands-on experiences that make education exciting and meaningful for each child.
Schedule a Tour!
The preschool years are such a special part of childhood. They are filled with wonder, first friendships, growing independence, and the quiet moments that shape who a child becomes. At Cranfield Academy, our private preschool offers a loving, nurturing place where your little one can learn, explore, and build the confidence to step into a bright future. We would love to welcome your family, show you our classrooms, and help you feel certain you have found the right place for your child.