Playcrafter Kids Preschool & Performing Arts School Introduce
For families across Fort Collins, Colorado, and the surrounding Northern Front Range, choosing the right preschool is a pivotal decision. Parents seek an environment that is not only safe and nurturing but also deeply enriching, fostering a child's early development in meaningful ways. Playcrafter Kids Preschool & Performing Arts School stands out as an exceptional local institution, offering a truly unique blend of play-based learning and immersive performing arts experiences. It’s a place where children are not just prepared for kindergarten, but are seen, supported, and encouraged to unleash their innate creativity.
The resounding praise from local parents speaks volumes about the impact of Playcrafter Kids. One delighted parent shared, "Our daughter attended Playcrafter Kids for full-time for Pre-K and also participated in their summer camps — and we truly couldn’t be more grateful. This is the most thoughtfully run program we've ever been a part of. The staff are incredibly caring, intentional, and professional. Our kiddie felt safe, seen, and supported every day, and genuinely loved being part of the school community. It’s a tightly run, heart-forward place that sets the bar high. Best program in Fort Collins!" Another testimonial echoed this sentiment: "We’ve had a wonderful experience with this preschool! The teachers are caring, attentive, and truly dedicated to the kids’ growth and happiness. The environment feels very safe and nurturing, which gave us peace of mind from day one. We’re so happy with how much our children have learned and grown this year, and we’ll definitely be sending them back next year!" These heartfelt reviews highlight Playcrafter Kids' success in creating an environment where children thrive, grow, and truly love learning.
Playcrafter Kids Preschool & Performing Arts School is conveniently located at 1815 Yorktown Ave, Fort Collins, CO 80526, USA. This address places the school within a well-established and accessible part of Fort Collins, making it a practical choice for families residing in the city and surrounding Northern Colorado communities. Being situated in a residential area helps create a welcoming and community-focused atmosphere, ideal for a preschool setting.
The accessibility of Playcrafter Kids is a key benefit for busy Colorado parents managing daily routines. Its location allows for straightforward drop-offs and pickups, integrating seamlessly into family schedules. The school operates Monday to Thursday from 8 AM to 5 PM, and Friday from 8 AM to 4 PM, offering full-day options that cater to working parents. For families seeking a high-quality, reliable, and convenient childcare and early education solution in Fort Collins, Playcrafter Kids provides an ideal local option.
Playcrafter Kids Preschool & Performing Arts School offers a comprehensive and engaging program rooted in play-based learning and the creative arts, catering to children aged 2.5 to 6 years old.
- Preschool Programs (Ages 2.5 - 6 years):
- Storybook Forest (Ages 2.5 - 4.5 years): Designed for younger learners, including those in the process of potty training.
- Musical Meadow (Ages 4 - 6 years): Qualifies for the Universal Preschool (UPK) program, providing advanced readiness for kindergarten.
- Playful Pond (Ages 2.5 - 5 years): Half-day AM only option, with UPK a possibility.
- Full-Time and Part-Time Enrollment: Offers flexible 2-day, 3-day, and 5-day programs to accommodate various family needs and schedules.
- Creative Arts Integration: Fine and performing arts are at the core of the curriculum, with children engaging in:
- Drama and Theatrical Play: Encourages imaginative play, emotional expression, and collaboration.
- Music: Includes singing, movement activities, and exploration of instruments, fostering rhythm and musicality.
- Dance: Opportunities for creative movement and dance parties.
- Visual Arts: Drawing, painting, weaving, sculpting, and clay work, with a dedicated art studio for hands-on experiences.
- Balanced Academics: Math, science, geography, and reading readiness are woven into daily activities in a magical and imaginative way, ensuring kindergarten preparedness.
- Social-Emotional Learning: Seamlessly integrated into the curriculum, fostering connections, communication, self-awareness, and ensemble thinking through collaborative play.
- Outdoor Classroom and Playground: Features an interactive playground with a running track, balance beams, a permanent music and art installation, a teepee for storytelling, and a carefully designed sandbox for imaginative and scientific play (e.g., dinosaur digs, volcano making).
- Fresh Fruit, Vegetable, and Flower Garden: Provides a backdrop for lessons on bee science, leaf anatomy, composting, and nutrition.
- Summer Camps: Themed performing arts summer camps available in June and July for a wider age range (often 4-12), extending the creative learning experience beyond the school year.
- School's Out Day Camps: Offered on select days when regular school is out.
- Special Needs Support: Dedicated to supporting access needs and welcoming students with disabilities, neurodivergent conditions, mental illnesses, and adverse childhood experiences, with staff proficient in activity modifications and individualized learning plans.
- UPK and CCCAP Acceptance: Participates in Colorado's Universal Preschool program and has limited Colorado Child Care Assistance Program (CCCAP) spots available, making quality education more accessible.
Playcrafter Kids Preschool & Performing Arts School distinguishes itself through several key features and highlights that make it a premier choice for early childhood education in Fort Collins:
- Thoughtfully Run and Heart-Forward Program: Repeatedly praised by parents for being "the most thoughtfully run program" and a "heart-forward place that sets the bar high." This indicates a deep commitment to the well-being and development of each child.
- Incredibly Caring and Professional Staff: The teaching team is consistently described as "caring, attentive, and truly dedicated to the kids’ growth and happiness," making children feel "safe, seen, and supported every day."
- Unique Blend of Academics and Arts: Seamlessly integrates core academic subjects (math, science, reading readiness) with a rich performing and fine arts curriculum (drama, music, dance, visual arts). This holistic approach sparks creativity while ensuring school readiness.
- Play-Based Learning Philosophy: Lies at the heart of the program, inviting children to "explore, imagine, create, and learn about the world and their place within it" through open-ended play.
- Low Child-to-Teacher Ratio: A 1:8 ratio ensures individualized care and ample attention for each child, fostering deeper connections and effective learning.
- Dedicated Art Studio: Playcrafter Kids is noted for having a dedicated art studio for painting, weaving, and clay work, providing children with a true art studio experience.
- Interactive Outdoor Classroom: Features a unique playground designed as an outdoor learning space, complete with music/art installations, balance beams, a teepee for storytelling, and a fresh garden for science and nutrition lessons.
- Focus on Social-Emotional Skills: Through ensemble thinking and collaborative activities, children build essential social-emotional skills like empathy, communication, and teamwork.
- Inclusivity and Support for Diverse Learners: Actively welcomes and supports students with disabilities, neurodivergent conditions, mental illnesses, and adverse childhood experiences, with staff trained in modifications and individualized plans.
- Engaging Summer Camps: Provides continuity of learning and fun during school breaks, with themed performing arts camps that are highly popular.
For families in Fort Collins, Colorado, and the surrounding communities interested in learning more about Playcrafter Kids Preschool & Performing Arts School, direct contact is the best way to get detailed information.
Address: 1815 Yorktown Ave, Fort Collins, CO 80526, USA
Phone: (970) 286-0639
Mobile Phone: +1 970-286-0639
Prospective parents are encouraged to call to inquire about current enrollment for the upcoming school year (e.g., 2025/2026), summer camp schedules, tuition rates, UPK and CCCAP eligibility, or to schedule a visit to experience the unique environment firsthand. The professional and caring staff are ready to assist with all inquiries.
For residents of Fort Collins, Colorado, and the wider Northern Front Range, Playcrafter Kids Preschool & Performing Arts School stands out as an exceptionally suitable and highly recommended choice for early childhood education. Its profound suitability for locals stems from its deeply thoughtful, "heart-forward" approach that prioritizes the holistic development of each child. In a community that values both academic readiness and creative expression, Playcrafter Kids provides an unparalleled balance.
The consistent praise from local parents highlights the school's commitment to creating a safe, nurturing, and engaging environment where children genuinely "love being part of the school community." The seamless integration of performing and fine arts – including drama, music, dance, and visual arts – into a play-based curriculum ensures that children are not just learning facts but are developing crucial social-emotional skills, fostering creativity, and building confidence. Furthermore, its dedication to inclusivity, welcoming and supporting diverse learners, makes it a truly community-oriented institution. With flexible scheduling, acceptance of UPK and CCCAP, and a team of "incredibly caring, intentional, and professional" staff, Playcrafter Kids offers a comprehensive, enriching, and convenient preschool experience that truly prepares children for kindergarten and instills a lifelong love for learning and the arts, right here in Fort Collins.
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Playcrafter Kids Preschool & Performing Arts School Location
Playcrafter Kids Preschool & Performing Arts School
1815 Yorktown Ave, Fort Collins, CO 80526, USA
Playcrafter Kids Preschool & Performing Arts School Reviews
Our daughter attended Playcrafter Kids for full-time for Pre-K and also participated in their summer camps — and we truly couldn’t be more grateful. This is the most thoughtfully run program we've ever been a part of. The staff are incredibly caring, intentional, and professional. Our kiddie felt safe, seen, and supported every day, and genuinely loved being part of the school community. It’s a tightly run, heart-forward place that sets the bar high. Best program in Fort Collins!
Jun 04, 2025 · Brian NunneryWe’ve had a wonderful experience with this preschool! The teachers are caring, attentive, and truly dedicated to the kids’ growth and happiness. The environment feels very safe and nurturing, which gave us peace of mind from day one. We’re so happy with how much our children have learned and grown this year, and we’ll definitely be sending them back next year!
Jun 06, 2025 · Lindsay MartorellaI cannot say enough about our positive experience with Playcrafter Kids summer camps, birthday parties, and preschool. Deanna combines her knowledge of theatre, art, and education in a playful way that keeps kids engaged and learning. She focuses on emotional intelligence and self expression. Most importantly, she values every single child and respects them as individual growing humans.
Nov 21, 2021 · Andrea ElliottWe LOVE Playcrafter Kids!!!!! Our kids have participated in preschool and summer camps with Deanna and are absolutely obsessed! Deanna and her staff get to know each student individually and meet each student where they are at. We love the small class sizes and play-based learning environment. My oldest has some sensory and emotional regulation difficulties and Deanna was nothing but compassionate, understanding, and supportive in meeting his needs. He is succeeding in kindergarten right now because of Deanna and Playcrafter Kids!
Oct 26, 2023 · Alexandria CampWe are so happy with Playcrafter Kids. It is wonderful to find the right preschool for your child! There’s a great positive energy from Deanna and the other teachers. Kids learn and grow from thoughtfully planned play-based activities in a welcoming new space. My child can be very bold and outgoing…but only if she feels supported by teachers who really understand how to interact with young kids. Day one, she loved it at Playcrafters!
Aug 21, 2023 · Alisa Shaw
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