The Scandinavian School’s Preschool Program is the only full time, Scandinavian language immersion preschool program in the United States. We strive to combine the best of San Francisco Bay Area, an eclectic multicultural, inclusive environment, with the very best of Scandinavia. Our immersion environment is totally unique and something we are very proud to offer, whether a Scandinavian language is a heritage language in your family or if you want your child to get all the cognitive and social benefits of being in a multilingual environment.

We offer a play based preschool program with focus on social emotional development and relationship building through a Reggio Emilia inspired, child centered, curriculum. Our fundamental values Diversity, Equality & Inclusion, Democracy, Culture & Language, Sustainability & Environment, Play, Project & Inquiry Based Learning and Creativity & Problem Solving are the cornerstones in our practice.

Some basic facts about the program: 

  • Hours of operation: 8:00am - 5:00pm

  • Core Hours: 5 days/week 9:00am - 3:00pm, all students at SSCC attend this program

  • Extended care options available daily 8:00-9:00am and 3:00-5:00pm, depending on a families care needs

  • Enrollment starts from 2 years of age

  • Full immersion in the Scandinavian languages. All teachers speak a Scandinavian language (Swedish, Norwegian or Danish) in the classroom.

  • Approximately 50% of enrolled families actively use a Scandinavian language in their household. 50% has a different language background, using languages from all over the world.

  • 3 separate classrooms, Goldfish for 2-3 year olds, Dolphins for 3-4 year olds and White Sharks for 4-5 year olds

  • 15-16 students/classroom

  • Low Teacher to Student ratio, 1:5, with 3 teachers working together as a team in each classroom

  • In-house Kitchen Atelier and Art Atelier with specialist teacher serving all classrooms weekly


  • Play based curriculum with emphasis on social emotional development and a holistic view of child development and wellbeing.

  • Several hours of outdoor activities every day, rain or shine, including regular field trips


  • Organic, plant based food program included in the tuition. Daily serving breakfast, lunch and 2-3 snacks from our school's in-house kitchen.

Example of daily schedule:

  • 8:00-9:00am Morning extended care with breakfast

  • 9:00-9:15am Drop-off for Core Hour students

  • 9:00-11:00am Free play and morning activity such as art or kitchen atelier, project time, outdoor play or field trip

  • 9:30am Morning Snack

  • 11:00am Circle Time

  • 11:30am Lunch

  • 12:00 - 1:00pm (or longer if needed) Nap Time

  • 1:00-2:30pm Free play and afternoon activity such as art or kitchen atelier, project time or outdoor play

  • 2:30pm Afternoon Snack

  • 2:45-3:00pm Pick-up for Core Hour students

  • 3:00-5:00pm Extended Care

Who we are

The Scandinavian School and Cultural Center’s preschool is a happy place, a place where everyone is welcome and a place where lifelong friendships and relationships are built. We are an inclusive, multicultural community where 45 children from approximately 40 families meet and play daily. Our families represents all walks of life, and 20 nationalities from all over the world.