Now is a great time to think about spring preschool enrollment for your family in the Pacific and University area of Stockton. Meadowlark Schools offers nature play-based care and learning for children ages 6 weeks to 6 years, and our campus is open and enrolling for the season ahead. If you're a University of the Pacific family or a working parent along the Pacific Avenue corridor looking for quality childcare in Stockton, a spring start could be the perfect fit.
Spring Enrollment at Meadowlark
You don't have to wait for fall to give your child a strong start. Spring enrollment lets your child join a settled, welcoming classroom partway through the year, often with more focused attention during the transition since only a few children join at a time.
Availability shifts through the year. Our Hollister campus keeps a waiting list, but our Stockton campus often has more immediate openings, including for spring. The best way to find out what's available is to reach out, and we'll help you find a start date that works for your family.
Nature Play-Based Learning for Pacific Families
At Meadowlark, nature isn't an occasional activity. It's the heart of how children learn. Children spend meaningful time outdoors in every season, using natural spaces and materials to build, create, and discover, while teachers guide their child-led play and weave early literacy, math, and science into real, hands-on experiences.
Our approach rests on a few core ideas: child-led exploration, learning with natural materials, healthy risk-taking, and deep respect for each child's individuality. For families near the university who value education and curiosity, it's a foundation that nurtures confident, lifelong learners. You can read more about our approach to nature.
Programs by Age
Our Stockton campus serves children from 6 weeks to 6 years, spanning infant, toddler, and preschool ages. Each program is designed for the developmental needs of that stage while sharing the same nature play-based philosophy.
- Infants and toddlers: nurturing, relationship-driven care with responsive routines and plenty of sensory exploration
- Preschool and Pre-K: child-led play, outdoor learning, gardening, and gentle preparation for kindergarten
To keep attention individualized, our teacher-to-child ratios range from 1:4 in our youngest classrooms to 1:12 in our oldest.
A Typical Day at Meadowlark
Every day flows a little differently, following the children's interests, but our rhythm gives families a helpful picture. Mornings begin with arrival and open exploration, followed by a circle that builds community. Children then move into extended outdoor time in our natural play spaces and garden, where much of the real learning happens.
After lunch and a rest period, afternoons bring more hands-on activities, often outdoors again, before a closing circle and departure. This balance of active and quiet, indoor and outdoor, and individual and group time helps children stay engaged, regulated, and ready to learn.
Why Pacific Families Choose Meadowlark
Families across our program consistently point to a few things that set Meadowlark apart:
- Daily time outdoors, rain or shine, building resilience and a love of nature
- A whole-child focus that supports emotional and social growth alongside academics
- Family-feel classrooms led by educators who build genuine relationships with each child
- Farm-to-classroom connections, including gardening and healthy, whole-food snacks
- A trusted reputation, with Meadowlark voted Best of San Benito County for five consecutive years (2021 to 2026) as we bring the same care to Stockton
Snacks are provided each morning and afternoon with an emphasis on whole, natural foods, and families provide lunch from home. We stay closely connected with parents through daily exchanges and the Brightwheel app.
Serving the Pacific and University Area
Our campus sits conveniently between I-5 and Highway 99, a short drive from the University of the Pacific and the surrounding Pacific Avenue neighborhoods. That makes us a practical option for the many families connected to the university, whether you're a faculty or staff member who needs dependable full-day care near work, or a graduate-student parent balancing study and family.
With most Stockton families relying on cars for the daily commute, our accessible location and on-site parking make drop-off and pickup simple. We're proud to serve a diverse community, including families participating in subsidy programs as well as private-pay families, in an inclusive and nurturing environment where every child can thrive.
Tuition and Financial Assistance
Tuition varies based on your child's age and schedule, so we invite you to contact our office for current rates. We serve both self-pay families and families using childcare subsidies.
For Stockton families, we work with subsidy programs including CalWORKs and the Family Resource Center's Subsidized Child Care Program. If you'd like to use a subsidy, the Family Resource Center is the best place to start for eligibility and applications. Learn more about the financial assistance programs we accept.
What Meadowlark Families Say
"We absolutely love Meadowlark preschool. From the moment we walked in, we felt the warmth and knew the environment is nurturing, safe, and full of engaging activities that spark curiosity and creativity. Our child has blossomed socially, developed strong communication skills, confidence, and a love for learning." Meadowlark Parent
"The teachers are incredibly patient, kind, and dedicated to each child's individual growth. The curriculum is well-balanced, offering a great mix of structured learning, creative play, and social development. It's clear that the staff truly cares about each child's wellbeing." Meadowlark Parent
Frequently Asked Questions
How close is Meadowlark to the University of the Pacific?
Our campus is at 2295 E. Fremont St., Suite D, Stockton, CA 95205, a short drive from the University of the Pacific and the Pacific Avenue area via I-5 and Highway 99. You can reach us at (209) 792-6177.
Can we start in the spring?
Yes. We welcome new students throughout the year when space allows. Our Stockton campus often has more immediate availability than our waitlisted Hollister campus, so contact us to ask about current spring openings.
What ages does Meadowlark serve?
Our Stockton campus serves children from 6 weeks to 6 years, including infant, toddler, and preschool ages, all within the same nature play-based philosophy.
Do you accept childcare subsidies?
Yes. We work with subsidy programs including CalWORKs and the Family Resource Center's Subsidized Child Care Program. Eligibility and applications go through the Family Resource Center, which is the best place to begin.
How do I schedule a tour?
The easiest way to begin is to contact our office to schedule a tour, where you can watch our nature play-based program in action and meet our teaching team.
Give Your Child a Strong Start This Spring
At Meadowlark Schools, we nurture the whole child through meaningful, nature play-based learning that lays the foundation for a lifelong love of discovery. If you're a Pacific or University area family ready to explore a spring start, we'd love to meet you.
Contact us to ask about spring openings and schedule your tour today.