Early Childhood
Early Childhood Education at GFS 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.
- A multi-week Day Camp designed to engage students (ages 3 - 6) during the summer
Location: 31 W. Coulter St., Philadelphia, PA 19144
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.
- A multi-week Day Camp on Main Campus designed to engage students (ages 3-6) during the summer, with daily transportation offered
- 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' Germantown location to spend time with Early Childhood friends on Main Campus.
Location: 601 Walnut St., Philadelphia, PA 19106
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
Maximiliano Muñoz
Assistant to the Director of Early Childhood