New Horizons
Cooperative Preschool
Come play, learn and grow with us in Boulder, CO!
Enrollment is Open for the 2026–27 School Year • Learn More About Our Preschool Programs
Play-Based, Bilingual Preschool in North Boulder
A welcoming preschool community where children ages 2.5–6 learn through play, creativity, exploration, and meaningful relationships.
Since 1968, New Horizons has provided inclusive, play-based, bilingual early childhood education in Boulder with a mission rooted in community, connection, and respect across cultures, languages, and family backgrounds.
Why Families Choose New Horizons
A Play-Based Preschool Community in Boulder
At New Horizons, children learn through play, creativity, exploration, and meaningful relationships. Our classrooms support curiosity, confidence, independence, and social-emotional growth while helping children build strong foundations for lifelong learning.
Families choose New Horizons for our:
Play-based, child-centered approach to early learning
Small class sizes with experienced teachers
Spanish-English bilingual environment
Warm, inclusive community culture
Family-centered cooperative approach
Outdoor play and nature-based exploration
Community-connected learning experiences and field trips
Flexible half-day, extended-day, and full-day scheduling options
Accessible tuition support through UPK, CCAP, and tuition assistance
Nearly 60 years serving Boulder families
Our Approach
Play-Based, Child-Centered Learning
Our classrooms combine play-based learning, bilingual education, outdoor exploration, and inquiry-based experiences that support children's social-emotional, cognitive, physical, language, and creative development.
Children learn through art, storytelling, dramatic play, music, movement, science exploration, hands-on projects, and daily literacy experiences in both English and Spanish. Teachers support children as active participants in their own learning while encouraging curiosity, collaboration, confidence, and problem-solving skills.
We are committed to creating inclusive classroom environments where children develop empathy, respect, self-confidence, and appreciation for different cultures, languages, perspectives, and family experiences
Flexible Preschool Programs for Children and Families
New Horizons offers half-day, extended-day, and full-day preschool options designed to support a variety of family schedules and developmental needs.
Preschool Highlights
Preschool programs for children ages 2.5–6
Maximum 16 students with 3 teachers in each classroom
Half-day (3-hour), extended-day (4.5-hour), and full-day preschool options
Daily outdoor play and exploration
Play-based and child-centered curriculum
Spanish-English bilingual learning environment
Experienced early childhood educators
Community field trips and local learning experiences
Our Preschool Program
Outdoor Play and Exploration
A Beautiful Outdoor Learning Environment
Children spend significant time outdoors exploring, creating, and connecting with nature. Our spacious, tree-shaded yard encourages movement, imagination, problem-solving, and cooperative play.
Our outdoor space includes:
Play structures
Sandboxes
Gardens
A bike, striders and tricycle track
Dramatic play and imaginative exploration
Outdoor art and sensory experiences
Friendly neighboring goats that children love to visit
Outdoor learning is an important part of our program and supports physical, social, and emotional development.
Family Partnerships
Supporting Children and Families Together
At New Horizons, we believe children thrive when families and educators work in partnership. We value meaningful relationships, open communication, and active family involvement as part of each child’s learning experience.
Families have opportunities to participate in:
Parent workshops and educational events
Home visits and family-teacher connection opportunities
Community celebrations and cultural gatherings
Volunteer opportunities in the classroom and school community
Family events and school traditions
Parent leadership and shared decision-making through the school board
New Horizons also supports families through bilingual family literacy programming, community partnerships, and individualized support navigating school enrollment and early childhood resources.
Our free Family Literacy Program helps families build home libraries, strengthen literacy skills in English and Spanish, and connect with local libraries and community resources through books, activities, field trips, and bilingual learning experiences.
Our family-centered approach helps ensure the school continues to reflect and respond to the evolving needs of children and families in our community.
The Cooperative Difference
A Community Built Around Children and Families
New Horizons was founded as a cooperative preschool in 1968 and continues to be guided by the belief that children thrive when families and educators work together.
As a cooperative school, families are active participants in the life of the community. Parents and caregivers contribute their time, talents, perspectives, and support in a variety of ways, helping strengthen the relationships and sense of connection that make New Horizons unique.
While family involvement looks different for every household, we believe that meaningful participation benefits both children and adults. Through classroom volunteering, family events, workshops, leadership opportunities, and community-building activities, families gain a deeper understanding of their child's learning and development while building lasting relationships with teachers and other families.
The cooperative model also helps parents become informed and confident advocates for their children throughout their educational journey. Together, families and educators create a supportive, engaged, and connected community where children can learn, grow, and thrive.
Inclusive Community
A Welcoming Preschool Community
Since 1968, New Horizons has been committed to building a preschool community where children and families from a wide range of cultures, languages, backgrounds, and experiences learn and grow together.
We believe children benefit from learning in an environment rooted in kindness, respect, curiosity, and connection. Our classrooms support empathy, collaboration, confidence, and a strong sense of belonging while helping children develop an appreciation for different perspectives and experiences.
New Horizons welcomes families from many different backgrounds and strives to create a community where every child and family feels valued, supported, and included.
Making Preschool More Accessible
For more than five decades, New Horizons has remained committed to making high-quality early childhood education accessible to families across income levels.
New Horizons offers:
Tuition assistance opportunities
Our team is happy to help families explore available financial support options and answer questions about enrollment.
Summer Programs
Summer Preschool + Camp Programs in Boulder
New Horizons offers engaging summer programs filled with outdoor play, art, water activities, music, storytelling, nature exploration, and creative learning opportunities.
Summer programs provide children with:
Play-based summer learning
Outdoor exploration
Social connection and friendship-building
Flexible summer care options
Familiar routines in a nurturing environment
Summer programs are open to both current and new families, depending on availability.
Our History
Serving Boulder Families Since 1968
New Horizons was founded in 1968 by a group of parents who believed early childhood education could help bring families together across differences in race, culture, language, and economic background.
Created in response to the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., New Horizons was built on the belief that children and families benefit from learning in an inclusive and connected community grounded in equity, respect, and belonging.
For nearly 60 years, New Horizons has remained rooted in North Boulder, providing play-based, bilingual early childhood education while supporting strong partnerships between families and educators.
Conveniently located near 19th Street and Upland Avenue in North Boulder.
Community-Supported Nonprofit Preschool
Supporting Access, Community, and Early Learning
New Horizons is an independent nonprofit preschool rooted in community partnership and educational access. Contributions from families, alumni, foundations, and community supporters help sustain tuition assistance, bilingual programming, family literacy initiatives, and inclusive early childhood education for Boulder families.