Preschool, Play Groups, Playdays 

Watershed Community School operates multiple programs for families, young children, and their teachers in Northeast Ohio.

Half-Day Preschool and Play at the Akron Schoolhouse

Preschool. Enrollment is currently open for our mixed-age preschool class at the Rhodes Avenue schoolhouse in Akron, Ohio. We offer a play-based, emergent curriculum that is grounded in progressive educational philosophy. This means that we design our daily experiences around children’s interests and questions, as well as the emerging relationships between the children. Our school day provides open-ended, meaningful experiences, both indoors and out, with gentle and consistent guidance from teachers. The preschool class is led by two experienced teachers, with advanced degrees in early childhood education. We operate on a traditional school calendar with closures during Winter break, Spring break, and for school conferences. We are licensed by the Ohio Department of Children and Youth, which means that we follow strict health, safety, and programming protocols in order to provide a safe and nurturing environment for all children.

This program runs from September through May, Monday through Thursday, 8:00 a.m.–12:30 p.m. Your child is eligible for enrollment if: 

  • They are between the ages of 3 and 5 years old.

  • They are fully toilet trained. Children are not permitted to wear diapers or pull-ups to school.  

Residents of Highland Square and West Hill are given priority for enrollment.

Play Group. If your child is between the ages of 6 months and 30 months, they are eligible for our child-caregiver play group. Our play groups offer numerous benefits for children and their families, including:

  • A gentle introduction to a classroom environment

  • Guided play with experienced teachers

  • Social interaction for both adults and children

  • Play materials and experiences designed to meet developmental needs

  • Complementary coffee/tea for caregivers

  • Returning family discount (enrollment in play group waives your future enrollment fee for preschool)

Winter Infant Play Group: Infants (12 months and under) and their caregivers. Fridays from February 6 through March 27, 2026, 11:30 a.m.–1 p.m.

Winter Toddler Play Group: Toddlers (13–30 months) and their caregivers. Fridays from January 16 through March 6, 2026, 9:30–11 a.m.

Spring Natureplay Group: Older toddlers (16–36 months) and their caregivers. Fridays from April 24 through May 29, 2026, 10–11:30 a.m.

Registration for all play groups can be found here.

We are small on purpose; low student-teacher ratios and limited group size allow us to respond to children’s educational strengths and needs in meaningful ways, and allows us to utilize sustainable, community-driven practices in our daily operations. But this also means that enrollment is limited. Contact us today to begin the enrollment process for preschool or play group.

Natureplay in the
Historic South End

We are currently rehabilitating a one-third acre neighborhood lot located at 349 W. Elm Street in Kent, Ohio. We are thrilled to be in the Historic South End, a diverse neighborhood of meaningful spaces, helpful neighbors, and a long history of community engagement. The community post office, a recreation center, an excellent K-5 public school, innovative restaurants and businesses, and a thriving community garden are all within walking distance in the “mother neighborhood” of Kent. Once the initial planting and hardscaping is complete, we intend to utilize this space for regularly scheduled playgroups and seasonal playdays, teacher professional development seminars on outdoor play and curriculum building, and Historic South End community events. Although we have been working with schools and teachers for years to improve their outdoor experiences for young children, acquiring the Elm Street property has given us the opportunity to create our own outdoor demonstration classroom. Our play space is designed to blend-in to the neighborhood and maintain a discreet profile using native plants and trees and natural landscaping. Contact us to join our mailing list and stay up-to-date on the progress of the natureplay space!

Tuition and Fees 2025-26

Preschool:

  • Non Refundable enrollment fee: $50.00 due upon enrollment

  • Non Refundable supply fee: $200.00 due upon enrollment

  • Tuition for 35-week preschool program: $6,500.00 

Tuition payments may be made annually, semi-annually, or ten monthly payments by automatic bank draft. 

Child-Caregiver Play Groups:

  • Tuition: $300.00 

Play group tuition must be paid in-full via check or bank transfer before attending your first session.