Director's Message

Dear Prospective and Current Families,

On behalf of the Dos Palos Early Childhood Education team, it is my pleasure to welcome you to our program. My name is Melissa Harrelson, and I am proud to serve as part of this dedicated team supporting our youngest learners and their families.

At Dos Palos, we are more than just a school — we are a close-knit community of educators, parents, and children, working together to create a nurturing and joyful environment where each child can grow, explore, and thrive. Our staff is deeply committed to providing a safe, fun, and developmentally appropriate learning experience that fosters a lifelong love of learning, creativity, and friendship.

Our children are treated with respect, consistency, and care each and every day. In this warm and welcoming setting, they are encouraged to explore the world around them, build meaningful relationships, and take part in play-based learning designed to support all areas of development.

Family involvement is a cornerstone of our approach. We believe that strong partnerships between parents and educators lead to the most enriching early childhood experiences. Communication is key, and we invite you to stay connected through parent meetings, conferences, school events, and daily interactions. You are an essential part of your child’s learning journey, and we look forward to working with you every step of the way.

Please feel free to visit us and meet our wonderful team of teachers and staff. We can’t wait to welcome you and your child into our Dos Palos Early Childhood Education family!

All the best,

Ms. Melissa Harrelson

Preschool Program Director

EDUCATION SERVICES

The Preschool’s educational program is designed to meet each child’s individual needs.  It also aims to meet the needs of the community served and its ethnic and cultural characteristics.

Every child receives a variety of learning experiences to foster intellectual, social and emotional growth.  Children participate in indoor and outdoor play and are introduced to the concepts of words and numbers.  They are encouraged to express their feelings and to develop self-confidence and the ability to get along with others.

The Preschool program has a low child-staff ratio. Staff members receive training in child development and early childhood education.