Your Neighborhood Preschool in Seattle’s Historic Central District
A full-day preschool and early learning center.
Our story
First Place was founded in 1989 by a group of Seattle educators and social workers. In the 2015-16 school year, we opened First Place Preschool and Early Learning Center in our building at 172 20th Avenue. Today our four classrooms serve children from 12 months through pre-K.
What we want every family to feel
We want every family who walks through our doors to feel welcomed, included and safe. For most families, it clicks in the first classroom they visit: they meet the teachers, see children busy and engaged, and hear how the class is exploring that week’s theme.
A team you can count on
Our teachers are reliable, caring and committed to the children in their care. They know each child well, and families always know who to talk to.
Rated for quality
First Place is rated Level 4 of 5 in Early Achievers, Washington’s quality rating and improvement system for early learning programs. Our teachers track every child’s development with Teaching Strategies GOLD, the assessment designed for Creative Curriculum, and share that progress with families throughout the year.
A community that lasts
Families who start here stay connected. Parents get to know one another, children keep their classroom friendships going outside of school, and many families return with younger children. Each year, graduation brings the whole community together to celebrate our pre-K class.
