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Early Childhood

GFS Early Childhood is the first stop on the educational journey of our youngest friends. We take pride in creating rich and engaging experiences that expand each student’s mind and address the whole child.

 

Main Campus

Early Childhood Main Campus is located in the heart of Germantown and provides Preschool and PreK students with the opportunity to be integrated with the rest of the school community.

  • Reggio-inspired space designed with natural materials and lots of natural light
  • Four classrooms and a dedicated gym for interactive play
  • Dedicated play yard, providing opportunities to run, climb and build
  • Experienced and caring teachers supported by GFS’ professional learning community
  • Extended care and after-school programming until 6 p.m.
  • Explorers Summer Camp designed to engage students (ages 3-6) during the summer

 

Center City

Our Center City location for Preschool and PreK is centrally located in the Curtis Center (across from Washington Square) in Philadelphia. A few highlights include:

  • More than 10,000 square feet of Reggio-inspired space designed with natural materials and lots of natural light
  • Four classrooms, and a dedicated Movement Studio for interactive play
  • Experienced and caring teachers supported by GFS’ professional learning community
  • Extended care and after-school programming until 6 p.m.
  • Explorers Summer Camp designed to engage students (ages 3-6) during the summer
  • Bus to Main campus leaves from the Curtis center starting in Kindergarten
  • Access to some of the city’s best parks for outdoor time
  • Designated trips to GFS' Germanown location to spend time with Early Childhood friends on Main Campus.

Explore our Curriculum

Our multidisciplinary curriculum is taught through structured activities and free exploration, which fosters children’s natural curiosity while providing them with the foundation needed for success.

Meet the Teachers

With a 4:1 student-to-faculty ratio, our teachers are experts in child development and early learning pedagogy.

Apply Now

Ready to Apply? Learn about our Early Childhood application process.

Meet Sarah McMenamin: Director of Early Childhood

Sarah McMenamin

Sarah began teaching at GFS in 1998, where she taught for four years before becoming Director in 2002. Since then, Early Childhood has grown and evolved from a small program to a full division, but the focus has remained on the children, the teachers, and their relationships. Sarah loves what she does because there is never a dull moment. She can spend hours speaking to parents about the curriculum and GFS' teachers, who provide the strength for the program, but the highlight of her days remains the time she spends with the Early Childhood students.

Sarah received her Master's in Curriculum and Instruction from the University of Texas and her Doctorate in Educational and Organizational Research from the University of Pennsylvania. Her dissertation research examined social class and socioeconomic status in an independent school setting. Sarah enjoys travel, reading, and attending local cultural events and museums with her family. Her two sons were superlifers at GFS.

Early CHildhood Office

To contact the Early Childhood Office, please call 215-261-6728 or email earlychildhood@germantownfriends.org.

For help with Early Childhood Admissions applications, please email admissions@germantownfriends.org.

Sarah McMenamin
Director of Early Childhood

Amina Loder
Assistant to the Director of Early Childhood