Aurora preschools have been offering toddlers and preschoolers their first educational experiences for more than 50 years. Generations of families have entered through the doors of city-run preschools and now mother-daughter duo, Tara Vigil and Aurora Preschool alum Cait Vigil, are teaming up to teach Aurora’s youngest learners for the 2025 to 2026 school year.
Tara Vigil, director of Village Green Preschool, has been teaching for more than 25 years. She had no idea she would be starting a lifelong career when she took her daughter, Cait, to a specialized parent-led preschool program at Village Green.
“I was a stay-at-home mom at the time. The director approached me and asked if I would be interested in teaching because I was really good with the kids,” Tara said. “I started as a teacher not knowing what I was doing so being a director now is a full-circle moment.”
All of Tara’s children have grown up going to Village Green Preschool, including her daughter Cait, who is embarking on her first year as an educator at Meadowood Preschool, a sister school to Village Green.
“I would come along with my mom when she would teach classes in the summer. It was inspiring to see her put together activities for the kids and build connections with them,” Cait said. “There is a long-lasting impact, and I want to make that same impact for kids and their families.”
Tara looks lovingly at her daughter and smiles. She follows with, “She is a natural. It has brought a side of her that I knew was always there. You can teach anyone to run a classroom and how to incorporate curriculum. But you can’t teach love and genuine connection.”
That connection lays the foundation for a strong educational experience and has a lasting impact for both the students and teachers.
“I have families I keep in touch with. I have a boy who I met when I started teaching, and I recently went to his wedding,” Tara said.
Many are aware of the challenges educators have faced over the years, but the most important part of it – the kids – have stayed the same. “They want attention, a connection with you,” Tara said. “They are starting their journey into education, and I think it’s amazing to be part of setting that foundation and giving them a positive experience.”
The city of Aurora offers four preschool locations –Lowry, Meadowood, Summer Valley and Village Green – and each school specializes in a play-based learning program. All preschools offer full-day and half-day options for 3 and 4-year-olds and participate in the Universal Preschool Program (UPK), which grants 10 hours of state-funded preschool.
Families can try Aurora preschools for free during
Discovery Days, taking place on select Fridays from 9 to 11 a.m. Discovery Days are a chance for families to meet the caring staff, experience the classroom and see how teachers support each child’s growth through exploration and creativity. To learn more about Aurora Preschools visit
AuroraGov.org/Preschool.