Wingfield-Sparks Campus
Purple Door Preschool
With small ratios of 2 teachers to 11 students, Purple Door offers a higher level of love, attention and respect to your child. There is only a small window in life to be a child and we believe children should have the most fun while learning. This is what helps make Purple Door such a unique play-based school. We want Purple Door to be a school your kids tell their kids about someday!
Play-based learning
Physical, social & cognitive development
Individualized growth for positive self image
Purple Door Preschool is a hands-on school with an emphasis on play!
Through play, our students will learn all the academic tools necessary to start kindergarten including letter recognition, phonics and numbers. Our students will not be confined to one classroom, they will move from room to room with the same two teaches and same eleven class mates throughout the day. All children are given the opportunity to utilize twelve unique spaces throughout the week.
The Library
Our Library will be filled with hundreds of fiction and non-fiction books. There will be child size furniture and lots of pillows to make reading even more enjoyable! Teachers will let students appreciate looking through books on their own and then guide them through active story telling.
Art Studio
The Art Studio is our Fine Arts room. This is where students get to be creative and decide if the sky is blue, pink or brown! No product art here! This means that no two projects will look exactly the same as their friends. Teachers will guide them through a project but the student will decide how it turns out in the end. Who knows…you might just bring home a yellow polka-dotted rock turtle one day!
Mechanics
This is a super cool room! Students will get to use tools like hammers, screwdrivers and wrenches (real ones!) to take apart machines like old computers, telephones and anything with lots of parts!
The Science Lab
Our Science Lab will be a place for kids to ask lots of questions and look for answers using a variety of tools. From microscopes to scales, to test tubes and bugs, students will learn so much from this hands-on experience while doing a daily science experiment!
The Classroom
The Classroom is where students will work on learning the letter, number and color of the week. This is guided by the teacher who will help them learn to easily recognize all upper and lower case letters and numbers 1-100. They will also learn the sound each letter makes. This is also the time that they will begin writing letters and numbers and also perfect their first and last names. Students will perform hands on activities and use manipulatives to enhance their academic learning. From silly games to delivering the mail, matching beginning sounds to objects, students will flourish in this play-based center.
The Kitchen
(or “Oscar’s Deli” as we like to call it)- Our Kitchen is a working classroom. This is where the kids will cook once a week. This is a great way for kids to have fun while learning math. We will make all sorts of recipes from sweets like cakes and cookies to savory dishes like pot pies and omelets to homemade breads and scratch pasta. They will do all the chopping, mixing, measuring and rolling. What should we do while our food is cooking? Play in the full-sized…yet kid-sized…kitchen of course!
The Big Playroom
In this space, students will have the opportunity to learn, explore, experiment, discover, create, invent, self-express, interact and play! This center will involve dramatic play, dolls, trucks, small toys, a grocery store, a castle and numerous other areas involving imagination.
What’s Going On?
This room will relate to the unit we are studying at the time. It might be Space, Dinosaurs, Birds, Farms, Weather, Pirates or the Ocean to name a few. Kids will find lots of hands-on activities related to the unit that will enhance their understanding and knowledge on the topic.
Symphonies
This is our music room. This space is dedicated to lots of interesting and real musical instruments! We will dance, sing and play instruments here. We will use ribbons and scarves and teachers will guide children through songs with movement and lyrics. We will also use this time to sit around the rug and talk about whatever is on the children’s minds. We will tell stories, play games and enjoy each others company.
The Backyard
This space will bring kids back to the good old days! Lots of things to jump off of, balance on and imagine with. A full size row boat to set sail in! A giant boulder to climb on! A pit to dig in, water to play in, a garden to grow, a seesaw to soar on, pots and pans to bang, and fun to have!
The “Get Moving” Room
This room is based on gross motor skills which are important for major body movement such as walking, maintaining balance, coordination, jumping, and reaching. Gross motor abilities share connections with other physical functions, such as fine motor skills. Students with poor gross motor development, may have difficulty with activities such as writing or sitting up in an alert position.
Engineering
This is a room dedicated to blocks only! There will be many different kinds of blocks for the kids to use and build anything they can dream up. The best thing about our Engineering room is that after the students are done building their masterpieces, they don’t have to tear it down and put it away! It can stay up for all to see!
Tracy Dowd - Director
I was born in Fairfield, California but moved to Sparks when I was 3 years old, and I've been living here ever since. I am a mother of three beautiful boys ages 20, 14, and 12 and have been happily married for the past 15 years. I've been working with children off and on for the past 22 years, but mainly as a home daycare provider for roughly seven years. I am very passionate about children and respect their individual needs. I started working at Purple Door in 2016 and love the role of being the Director of such a unique school! I look forward to getting to know your child and your families at Purple Door.
Hailey - Lead Teacher
I was born in Oregon and moved to Reno in third grade! I’ve been working with children for almost eight years and have been at purple door preschool for four years. If I’m not at work I'm outside hiking, camping or trying to plan a trip to Disneyland! I look forward to working with your children and learning new fun things each day as well as learning about all there unique personalities!
Anthony -Lead Teacher
I was born and raised in Reno, Nevada. I’m a graduate of Reed High School and a freshman at Truckee Meadows Community College, pursuing a degree in English Education. I grew up around young children as my mom ran a home daycare for seven years and I learned so much from watching her interact with the kids. Being at Purple Door has allowed me to not only gain a second family of amazing coworkers, but it lets me see an entire school of children become more creative and shape their own individuality with each passing day. I couldn’t imagine a more rewarding experience.
Tijani-Lead Teacher
I was born and raised in Reno, Nevada. I am in my senior year at the University of Nevada, Reno working towards my Bachelor's in Human Development and Family Science and in Community Health Sciences with an emphasis in Public Health. I have worked with children all throughout high school as a L.I.T at the Boys and Girls Club of Truckee Meadows. If I'm not at work, I am probably either on campus, hanging out with family and friends, or at a concert! I am beyond excited to be working alongside your children and to watch them learn and grow into their own unique selves!
Quinn-Assistant Teacher
I was born and raised in Reno, Nevada I am currently a junior at Spanish Springs High school. For all my life I have had constant exposure to preschool aged kids and a young learner environment. As I was the first student in my mom’s (Stefanie McKnight) home preschool. Since then I watched the evolution of the home preschool into the first and second purple door locations. This has given me great perspective into the world of preschool education and it’s ins and outs. I love movies, video games and everything nerdy! I look forward to working with your kids.
Christina - Substitute Teacher
Hi, my name is Christina and I have three adult kids and two grandkids who are 3 and 6 years old. I worked with the Folsom School District for 10 years and before that as a Preschool Teacher in Beaverton Oregon. My husband and I moved to Sparks for retirement and truly love this area. I have a love for children and getting hired at Purple Door Preschool is a blessing in my new life here in Sparks!!!
Barbara - Assistant Teacher
Barbara is a mother three and grandmother of eight with decades of experience as an academic paraprofessional, specializing in working with children. Her service has included both public schools and private education, focusing on Early Childhood Development-pre-school to elementary school aged students.
Barbara resides in Spanish Springs and has called the Reno/Sparks area home for 25 years, as well as having lived and taught at schools in Montana and Washington.
Barbara takes great pride in her successes in helping children develop and thrive both socially and academically, including, and especially, those students who may need extra help along the way. Barbara was inspired to become involved in Child Education and Development by her own son’s early academic struggles with a form of dyslexia, which, with her help, he was able to overcome to become an honor student.
Kat - Assistant Teacher
I was born and raised in Sparks, Nevada. I graduated from Spanish Springs High School in 2022 and I’m currently going to Western Governors University working towards my Bachelors degree in Marketing. I love working with kids! I adore their imagination, energy and creative minds. Purple Door has given me the opportunity to develop amazing friendships as well as a second family. When I’m not in the classroom, I enjoy painting, sports, and hanging out with my friends and family.
Brittany -Lead Teacher
I was born and raised in Amador County, California. My husband of fifteen years and our two wonderful daughters have been living here in Sparks, Nevada for the past three years. My family and I love music, camping and going new places. I have had the pleasure of working in the Early Childhood Education field for the past 10 years and love teaching. I wanted to work for Purple Door because I believe in a play-based curriculum and this school is a warm and loving place to learn.
Linda (Gigi) O'Neil- Director (Retired)
Linda O’Neil, M.S. is a graduate of the University of Nevada, Reno with a Master’s degree in Human Development and Family studies and Early Childhood Education. She continued her studies at Stanford University and is a 2012 graduate of Nv.LEND. She was the Director of the Infant and Toddler program at the Child and Family Research Center, at UNR for five years. For 22 years, she worked as a Developmental Specialist for the State of Nevada and was a part-time instructor at UNR and TMCC teaching courses in Child Development and Family Studies which included teaching a preschool administration class for fifteen years.
She has presented many workshops throughout the state of Nevada, including working with Head Start as a statewide trainer. She has also presented at State and National conferences. She was employed by the Psychological Corporation serving on the team for Bayley re-certification for the preschool child. She has been involved in several grants and is on the UNR faculty with the NvLEND. She also served as one of the chairs on the Newborn Hearing Screening committee for the State of Nevada. Linda served on the Rural Infant and Child Mental Health Consortium, for the State of Nevada. Her interest includes neuro-developmental disorders in the young child and the development of the young child through the preschool years.
Nat - Lead Teacher
Hello Everyone! My name is Nat and I was born and raised right here in Reno, Nevada! I graduated from Spanish Springs High School in 2020 and then worked as a Medical Assistant the following year. I'm so happy to be back working with children! When I'm not working I enjoy hanging out with my family and friends and having movie marathons! I'm so excited to be working with your kids and seeing them learn and grow at Purple Door!
Monica - Lead Teacher
I was born and raised in Flagstaff, Arizona. I recently moved to Sparks at the beginning of this year and we absolutely love it here. I have a four year old daughter named Adamari, she loves Purple Door and all the teachers here. My wife and I have been married for just over a year now. When I’m not at work, I enjoy being a mom and when we’re out and about with my little family exploring the city, we have so much fun! I look forward to working with your kids and learning their own little personalities.
Maggie-Lead Teacher
Maggie was born and raised in Sparks, Nevada and after being away for almost 10 years she, her husband Patrick, their son Henry and their daughter Matilda moved back to be closer to family. Maggie has been working with children of all ages her entire adult life. She has used her educational background in Human Development and Family Studies and her Masters in Psychology to work with children in settings from in-home care to social services. After being a stay at home mom for the past 6 years Maggie is excited to start her new chapter back in her home town at Purple Door!
Kiera-Assistant Teacher
Hi, my name is Keira Gunter! I hope to gain experience from Purple Door to pursue my ambition of some day teaching abroad. I really enjoy working with children and encouraging their positive learning experience. I adore music and spend my free time seeing as many concerts as I can. My other passion is art, whether it be a film, music or a freshly drawn cartoon. I'm looking forward to meeting you and your little ones!
Stephanie - Assistant Teacher
I am a mom and dedicated student, currently enrolled in school to get
my multi-subject teaching credentials. I was born and raised in
Mammoth Lakes, California where I worked as an Alpine Ski Coach for many years. I have been in the Reno/Sparks area since September 2022. I have a passion for teaching and working with students of all ages. My
son who is three, attends Purple Door Preschool as well. We love the new
community we have found here in Sparks!
Nahomy - Assistant Teacher
I am originally from Venezuela. My husband and I have two daughters and a sweet granddaughter named Lela. I have a bachelor’s degree in Business but I have a teacher's heart. For the last 15 years I have enjoyed teaching elementary school students in South Carolina. First I was an ESL instructor, then I became a certified Montessori Assistant Teacher and had fun working in a multi-age classroom.
I am super excited about joining Purple Door Preschool and meeting young children and their families.
Diyario - Assistant Teacher
I was born and raised in Reno, Nevada. I graduated from Spanish Springs High School in 2019 and I’m working towards my Bio-chemical Engineering degree. I’m the oldest in my family and I grew up raising my two younger siblings. If I’m not at work or at school I’m either hanging with family or sleeping. I look forward to getting to know your kids and watching them grow into the wonderful people they will become!
2022-2023 Purple Door Preschool Wingfield Price Sheet
Notice: New pricing for the 2023-2024 School Year! All schedules will increase by $50.
Purple Door offers full and part-time preschool classes that run from 8:45am-3:00pm (3:15pm for half day classes). Purple Door is not a “day care” but a school. We do not take infants and toddlers, just potty trained, preschool age students, 33 months through five years old.
We also offer extended care in the morning starting at 7:00am and afternoon care ending at 6:00pm for an additional cost (see rates below). Purple Door charges tuition by the month, not the week, simplifying the fee schedule and your monthly budget. Our traditional school year ends the second week of June and we then open for Summer Camps.
Preschool Price Sheet
8:45am-3:00pm (3:15 for half day classes) Extended care starting at 7:00am and ending at 6:00pm available for an additional cost (see pricing schedule below)
5 Full Days- Monday through Friday
$750 per month
3 Full Days- Monday/Wednesday/Friday
$650 per month
2 Full Days-Tuesday/Thursday
$550 per month
3 Half Days AM or PM-Monday/Wednesday/Friday
$500 per month
AM Extended Care Preschool Prices
7:00am-8:45am
5 days Before School- Monday through Friday
$115 per month
3 days Before School- Monday/Wednesday/Friday
$100 per month
2 days Before School- Tuesday/Thursday
$90 per month
PM Extended Care Preschool Prices
3:15pm-6:00pm
5 days After School- Monday through Friday
$160 per month
3 days After School- Monday/Wednesday/Friday
$135 per month
2 days After School- Tuesday/Thursday
$110 per month
A $125 non-refundable deposit is due at the time of enrollment. This will apply toward your first month’s tuition. There is also a $125 yearly registration fee charged at the time you start.
Purple Door School
Sparks Wingfield Campus
ADDRESS: 6295 Wingfield Springs Rd
Sparks, NV 89436
PHONE: 775-626-8326
EMAIL: info@purpledoorschool.com