Where adventure begins
Omaha's Premier Preschool
Please enjoy our virtual tour, and feel free to schedule a tour with Ms. Brader or Mrs. Ruigh through email at rainbowfactorybrader@gmail.com or rainbowfactoryruigh@gmail.com.
Where adventure begins
Omaha's Premier Preschool
Please enjoy our virtual tour, and feel free to schedule a tour with Ms. Brader or Mrs. Ruigh through email at rainbowfactorybrader@gmail.com or rainbowfactoryruigh@gmail.com.
our philosophy
Rainbow Factory Preschool has served families in our community since 1964, utilizing various pedagogies to implement our inclusive, developmentally appropriate curriculum. Our teachers and staff work with your student to foster independence and creativity through active learning centers including dramatic play, sensory experiences, movement exploration, language activities, early literacy works, and gross motor play in our beautiful natural playground.We provide opportunities to our students that stimulate their growth, believing that children learn primarily through play. Our goal is to encourage our student’s healthy emotional, social, physical, and cognitive growth in a nurturing environment they love!
active learning
Children are active learners. Children learn through experiences with people, objects and things in their world. Experience through play, knowledge, curiosity and sense of wonder are foundations for children’s learning. Children’s ideas about themselves impact their interactions with adults, with other children, and with how they view themselves as learners.
development
Learning is most meaningful when it is integrated across all areas of development. Children construct knowledge and integrate new ideas and concepts into their existing understandings. Their achievements in language and learning are influenced by the social and emotional aspects of their development. Communication influences mathematical and scientific understandings. There are no clear lines between the domains or areas of learning.
COMMUNITY
Development and learning are rooted in culture and supported by the family. The child’s language, knowledge, traditions, and family expectations are the primary influences on development. Learning is enriched by stable, nurturing relationships within the family and community.
Programs
We understand that play is a child's work and through play a child learns. We encourage children to reach out, touch, laugh, sing, and discover that learning is fun.
Programs
We understand that play is a child's work and through play a child learns. We encourage children to reach out, touch, laugh, sing, and discover that learning is fun.
2024-2025 School year programming
TWOS Program
Monday Through Friday Full Day 9:00am-3:00 Pm $1,000.00/month
Monday Through Friday Full Day with Aftercare
9:00 am-6:00pm • $1,200.00/monthMonday Through Friday Mornings Only
9:00 am-12:00pm • $500.00/monthMonday Through Friday Mornings with tuesday/thursday full day
9:00 am-12:00pm Mon/Wed/Fri & 9:00 AM- 3:00 PM Tues/Thurs • $700.00/month
This program is childcare based, but will implement elements of our centers based play curriculum and prepare children to move into the half day Threes or Multi-age room the following year! This class is designed to set your child up for long term success at our center and engage socially with peers in a developmentally appropriate, safe, and fun atmosphere! Student must be 2 years old by July 31, 2024.
Threes program
Monday-Friday Mornings
9:00am-12:00pm • $450/month
Monday/Wednesday/Friday Afternooons
12:30 Pm-3:00 pm $250/month
Our academic curriculum begins at 3 years of age. Everyday the children are given opportunities to participate in individual, small group, and whole group activities. Our curriculum focuses on fun, hands-on activities to keep children actively engaged as they learn to recognize letters and their corresponding sounds, explore number concepts, and develop positive character traits. Our preschool classroom in prepared with learning centers that encourage intellectual, emotional, and physical growth. This is a classroom filled with adventure and discovery. Student must be 3 by July 31, 2024 and potty trained to be eligible for this class (unless there is a medical exception).
Multi-Age preschool (3-5 years old)
Monday-Friday MOrnings
9:00AM-12:00PM $450.00/monthMonday through Friday FULL DAY
9:00AM-3:00PM • $785.00/monthMonday through Friday FULL DAY with Aftercare
9:00AM-6:00PM • $1,000.00/monthMonday through Friday Mornings with Tuesday/Thursday full day
9:00AM-12:00pm M/W/F, 9:00 Am-3:00 pm T/Th • $600.00/month
We offer several different Pre-K class choices. All classes work towards teaching the same academic and social objectives. We are proud to offer different class options in hopes of providing the opportunity for all children to have the Pre-K experience. Our curriculum builds on everything learned earlier in our preschool program. Kindergarten readiness activities are taught in a fun and structured environment. This class will continue to learn through play, with a focus on reaching specific academic goals. This is a time for deepening the child’s confidence, building friendships, and learning to love school. We send Rainbow Factory children to Kindergarten academically prepared and with joy in their hearts. Must be 3 by July 31, 2023 and potty trained (or medical exception).
The Staff
The Staff
Barb Ruigh
Co-Director & Threes Lead
Mrs. Ruigh is a new face at Rainbow Factory this year, bringing her Reggio-Inspired approach to the Threes classroom where she infuses a love of nature with emergent curriculum. This approach allows students to be collaborators, and Mrs. Ruigh’s curriculum challenges students to expand their knowledge based on their genuine interest and understanding of students as capable individuals. Mrs. Ruigh has been in the early childhood education field for 30 years. As of April 2024, Mrs. Ruigh has been named our Co-Director, we are thrilled to have her leadership which will infuse her love of nature & creating functional, beautiful classroom spaces that act as a third teacher.
Rachel Brader
Co-Director
Ms. Brader has been an integral part of Rainbow Factory for the last few years, aiding the former Director in administrative tasks as well as marketing and fundraising. Stepping into Co-Director role as of April 2024, Ms. Brader’s leadership and commitment to inclusive, quality early childhood education will allow the program to continue to flourish.
Justice Rhoden
Lead Teacher, Full Day Program
Ms. Rhoden is gentle, kind, and approaches children with care. Joining Rainbow Factory in 2020, Ms. Rhoden has continued to develop her curriculum and classroom management skills while co-leading our Full Day multi-age program with Ms. Bennett. Ms. Rhoden has been in the early childhood education field for over five years and her understanding of children’s needs makes that obvious to all who are fortunate enough to work alongside her.
Shamika Bennett
Lead Teacher, Full Day Program
While following other pursuits during the beginning of the pandemic, Ms. Bennett realized she missed the flow of Early Childhood Education and we invited her on as a Lead in our Multi-age Program. Her unique approach to curriculum, use of exciting music for transitions, and experience teaching ASL has enriched our Full Day program the last two years and moving into a third.
Ashley Bandow
Lead Teacher, Twos Program
As the mother of five children, with two sets of twins, Mrs. Bandow operates with calm and thrives under the chaos of a Twos Program in her third year at Rainbow Factory. Mrs. Bandow has a Masters Degree in Sociology and English, and is currently pursuing an Associates in Early Childhood Education.
Anna Williams
Lead Teacher, Multi-age Preschool
Outdoor Coordinator
Mrs. Williams leads our Multi-age Mornings program in her third year at Rainbow Factory, as well as planning and executing Camp Rainbow curriculum and oversight. Using her background in horticulture, Mrs. Williams engages our students in gardening and maintaining our nature center which feeds their love of nature and understanding of community!
Jenny Reid
Twos Teacher
Mrs. Reid’s love of literature and children landed her in our Twos program at inception of said program last year, and we’re thrilled she signed on for a second year nurturing our youngest learners! Mrs. Reid’s own children went through Rainbow Factory as preschoolers, providing us with unique insight through a parent and community member’s perspective since 2017.
Lisa Smith
Assistant Teacher, Multi-age Mornings
Ms. Smith has been a part of the Rainbow Factory staff off and on since 2018, providing her excellent behavior management skills in our classrooms as an Assistant Teacher. Ms. Smith believes children learn through each other as much as they learn through teachers, and likes to promote ample opportunities for peer engagement in her classroom.
Sydney Baylor
Assistant Teacher, Threes Program
In her second year in our Threes program, Ms. Baylor is eager to learn a nature based approach to early childhood education under Mrs. Ruigh. Ms. Baylor is beloved by her students and always maintains a positive outlook and calming demeanor in the classroom!
Stella Mogis
Aftercare Teacher
Miss Stella hones her empathetic nature to care for children in our Aftercare program daily. Growing up in Montessori schools, Miss Stella encourages students to grow through practical life skills and supporting their independence through play.