Of 5 preschools that my kids have been through, this is definitely the worst. There appears to be…read moreno modern early childhood education in action, no conflict resolution taught, preschoolers are sent home or isolated within the school for saying unkind words and pushing verbal boundaries... I won't go into specifics to protect my and other kids' privacy, but message me if this is raising red flags for you... I would never let my kid set foot there again. Very rigid. Should have looked more into the approach of the director (who we never even met until there was a "problem"). Note that most of the positive reviews are quite old when it was under different leadership. Two stars just for the beautiful setting and farm animals, which really drew us in (but turned out to be superficial and far less important than how children are treated - obviously).

We have felt moved to share our experience at BWK because it has truly changed our life. Our son…read morehas attended since he was 2.5yrs old (he is 6 years old now) and our youngest has just started at 2 Years old. We feel very grateful to have been introduced to waldorf by chance. We live just down the road and discovered it by driving past the quaint adobe school building and huge , peaceful, tree covered play yard with goats and chickens roaming about. From an outside perspective , it looked like an extension of home; and it has proven to be just that. The teachers are people of integrity, authentic, kind, and nurturing . They hold the kids so beautifully and create days full of wonder and beauty. It becomes obviously quickly that the priority at BWK is To nurture the children from a young age to be confident, curious, gentle, and intentional beings. There is a huge emphasis on social emotional learning and development and the entire faculty support the children and families to create a joyous environment where all are treated with respect and kindness. Now that we have been a part of the school for four years, with kids in two different classrooms , we can attest that it truly feels like the "village" that we have lost in this society. Recommend sending your child at any age if you are seeking a welcoming and safe school, with a strong and connected community of parents and faculty

Harmony is the best. I know my kids learn to be kind loving and compassionate to all of their…read more"friends" (what they call other kids at harmony) and are stimulated with the rich learning environment and fantastic teachers. The pedagogy and climate is excellent. I looked far and wide and Harmony is the best preschool we found. The Harmony community is also fantastic.

From the owner: At Harmony, we believe children grow and develop valuable skills when their classroom experiences…read moreare geared to their natural level of development. We accommodate the uniqueness of young children using a developmentally appropriate curriculum and learning materials for each individual child. At Harmony, we avoid adhering to only one philosophy and instead choose to combine several philosophies, thus creating a special and unique atmosphere for each child's individual growth.

Pay attention to the number of complaints/founded reports of child abuse made on the Colorado…read moreShines website and the frequent inability to pass inspections here: https://www.coloradoshines.com/program_details?id=001o000000JBEGGAA5 And save yourself from being in a situation where you are the next one calling and making a report for something that has happened to your child. Don't be surprised if this review is met with a defensive, minimizing, or manipulative reply - my personal experience predicts this will be the case. I have seen the director Michael on Facebook telling parents not to pay attention to the Colorado Shines website to me that should be a Red Flag they not only have something to hide but are actively working to hide it. For a school that has been around since 1970 you would think they could pass an inspection by now without manipulation or paying someone - see photos.

The Little Red School House, as Children's House is so lovingly referred to in our family, has been…read morethe only preschool I've sent my children to (once they reached 2 1/2) upon arriving in Boulder, from an inner city environment 4 years ago. My oldest, who is now going into 1st grade, was in need of a lot of stimulation outside of the home when he was little. He was one of those very active, curious kids always seeking out new adventures and interests. The education staff took great care in feeding that curiosity from the first day. Their story book journey curriculum is a tested and proven method (see Ashley Merriman's and Po Bronson's, Nurture Shock) for early childhood education success across all areas of learning, whether it be speech, pre literacy, social awareness, personal development, gross/fine motor etc. My husband and I beamed when our 3 year old son came home with books on sharks for us to read to him from the school and started memorizing facts and reciting them to friends and relatives. It seemed he had met his match. As an elementary age kiddo he has flourished into a very kind, loving, enthusiastic and confident student. I give a lot of credit for that to Elaine, the director at Children's House. Our youngest son will be starting his final year at CHP in the fall. He has developed so much from their care by learning self confidence, self reliance and finding his own voice. He is now looking forward to being a leader for next years students and I know he will continue to thrive in this loving, nurturing environment. A point worth making is that it is a one room school house meaning the children are of mixed ages together throughout their day. I can only speak from my family's experience but it has been wonderful to watch our children flourish as they get older, growing first from silent observer, to active participant and lastly to confident leader. The one room serves as a wonderfully safe and creative environment to explore through play, art, music, and pre literacy story telling. While it is a very active and diverse classroom, each child really does find their own sense of peace and space to grow within it. Children's House Preschool has been a very, very positive experience for my family.

Caring staff that helped me navigate potty training and development of my first child. I know whe…read moreis always on good hands. I enjoy recieving pictures of her at school through the app.

Very condescending manager, Stephanie, when I called to inquire about subsidies and if she would be…read morewilling to consider one from the City that would pay them 100% of the tuition for early-career, need-based scholars at NCAR. She popped off "No, we aren't going to consider that, I mean, we have 100 people on the waiting list, so..." *scoff, laughs at me* "...no, absolutely not." RUDE! I knew Boulder people were uppity, but this coldness was just beyond anything I could imagine. There's a much more polite way of saying no than rubbing in someone's face that there are 100 other wealthier families ahead of you that the owner could accept without having to be bothered by such a pitiful situation such as yours. She could have at least tried and/or spoken to me with a shred of dignity, instead of patronizing my already stressful situation. It's no one's fault that academic postdoc positions pay peanuts, and this should not be a hindrance to early-career scientists being able to focus on their science. Capitalism at its finest here, people. If you're comfortable with someone like this watching your children, then by all means, send your child here. If you want human beings that view others as equals and are trying to make the world a better place with their actions, seek another facility.

We wouldn't recommend Scuttlebugs. We were at Tiny Minders North and loved it. The transition to…read moreScuttlebugs, who bought it when the original owner retired, was rough. The chef is wonderful and so are the hours, but after all of our favorite caregivers left, we started looking for other options. The turnover was so high, it felt like staff came and went every few weeks. The old guard associated with Tiny Minders all departed over time; new folks coming in also left after short stints. Rooms were not staffed with enough teachers. New staff didn't know my kiddo or introduce themselves to me. I felt I was leaving her with strangers. I'm relieved we left when we did--I've since heard concerning stories. For reference our daughter is 3. I hope they can turn this ship around because I know we all desperately need safe, quality childcare.

Our daughter is doing great in ScuttleBugs' preschool program. We've been with the center since it…read morewas called TinyMinders, and while the transition to new ownership was a bit rocky for a while, the new team seems to have found their footing and emerged as good as ever. The school recruited an amazing preschool teacher who brings solid, professional teaching and a great energy to the room. The addition of the onsite chef has been fantastic both because we no longer have to pack lunches, and the meals are full of quality and variety. Overall, a solid choice for a Boulder daycare that caters to the typical working parent.

Both of my children have grown with the Tiny Minders North family and we couldn't be happier with…read morethe care and developmental skills they have received. My oldest is in Kindergarten now and still misses her teachers and the staff. My son is still there and is so excited to go every morning that he grabs his coat and bag and drags it around the house waiting for me to get out. Andrea and Diana have always been a great support network and I can't imagine my life without them and the TNM crew!

My daughter went to Tinyminders North for two years, and it's been GREAT! As a first-time working…read moremom, my concerns were about her welfare, time spent on developmental activities, and her socialization. The staff at Tinyminders did not disappoint. They were attentive, kind, generous, caring, friendly and reassuring. Especially to a nervous wreck like me! The rates were excellent, and the curriculum was centered around fostering a loving, caring environment. My child learned so much. I agree with the other reviewer here that the teachers may not have all been certified teachers, but their love and dedication to children was more important in my eyes. Especially for my daughter, who started so young. I would glad recommend this daycare to anyone who is looking for a small, close, attentive, individualized, breast-friendly and affordable facility close to their workplace in Boulder. Top notch.

We love Snow Lion very much! Our kids have been there for a year and we could not be happier. They…read moreare thriving there and are each able to delve into what interests them most. The teachers all love and value each individual child. Their handling of conflicts is excellent and they are building lifelong interpersonal skills in our kids. The students are encouraged to check in with themselves and others in a way that teaches both compassion and self-care. Our kids have very different personalities and they are both getting just what they need at Snow Lion, whether it is creative art projects or active outdoor play. Their relationships with the other kids and with their teachers are very positive and caring. The community of parents is close knit and I have made several great friendships as well as having a fun group for playdates. While being a play-based school, there is simultaneously a lot of intention behind the activities, run by deeply experienced and wise teachers. Parent nights offer incredible food for thought as we all travel together along this amazing journey of raising happy, empowered and compassionate children.

From the owner: At Snow Lion Preschool we nurture the process of self-discovery and loving kindness towards oneself…read moreand others. Just like the children and families in our community, our school overflows with joy, compassion, generosity, and self-reflection.

All of my children attended New Horizons Co-Op Preschool over a couple generations. The absolute…read morebest Boulder has to offer with an incredible playground and very relaxed, play-based program.

When I was deciding where to send my boys to preschool, I was lucky enough to find a a mud-caked,…read morerich, stable, safe, and affordable school, with affectionate and supportive grown-ups. My three boys are exact opposites and thanks to New Horizons Cooperative Preschool I learned to provide them with an environment where they could explore the spiciness of our community and rejoice in being an individual. As they walk into adulthood, they carry this same zest for learning at Boulder High and Harvard. I am grateful to New Horizons for teaching my children AND ME the importance of PLAY in developing a life long love of learning.

I attended Shining Mountain Waldorf School from K-9 and cherish the magical experiences. I fondly…read morerecall the excitement of seeing new chalkboard drawings and hearing captivating stories in the cozy classrooms. Now, my son attends Kindergarten there and formed an instant bond with his teacher (not something that came naturally for him in preschool). Mrs. Cherie exceeds expectations by attending to each child's unique needs. All teachers offer individual care through home visits, parent nights, and meetings. Beyond being a great school, the parent community is enriching, and we're forming lifelong friendships. Some worry Waldorf's academic approach might not prepare students well, but my brothers, also Waldorf graduates, are now a urologist and a researcher at the Max Planck Institute. I'm a life coach with my own business. Success stems from joy in learning, which Waldorf fosters. I urge you to schedule a tour or email me for more insights at wovenwords [at] gmail [dot] com.

Being a part of Shining Mountain Waldorf School's Early Childhood program has been an exceptional…read moreexperience for my daughter and our entire family. My daughter has blossomed into a confident, playful, curious, and adventurous 5-year-old in the loving care of her teachers. The beautiful campus, nestled in the foothills, offers ample opportunity for free play in nature and daily walks to visit the school chickens, gardens, and a nearby lake. Inside the classrooms, natural materials of wood and silk create a beautiful and comforting space to learn and play. Kindergarten classes provide nourishing, organic food to the children daily. Overall, the school has a rich tradition of meaningful festivals that build a thriving school community. We couldn't be happier at Shining Mountain and look forward to continuing through middle school and high school.

Our two kids went here for 2 years. It's great. Miss Rita is a constant and runs the ship. Several…read moreother caretakers have rotated through and they've all been great too. Miss Rita can pick 'em well. Our kids have learned, grown, socialized, and played a ton--exactly what they need. When we first moved to town, we looked for daycare options in every prospective neighborhood, which is to say a lot. The yard at Strawberry Farm was the first indication this place is the best. It's a huge yard. There's a "car" area for driving, grass area, playhouses and slides, sometimes a bouncy house, sometimes a sprinkler, always a sun-protected sandbox. In the summer, there's a sun shade canopy over the kid-height picnic table and benches. There's a garden the kids help with. Inside is cozy. The whole downstairs is for kids--a quiet, dark nap room, another nap room for the youngest so they can sleep longer, a music room, cozy living room, a kitchen, and a bathroom with changing station/small toilets and sinks the kids can reach. The schedule is posted in the entrance hall. The kids have drawers and hanging pockets for delivering and picking up things. More about sleep: Our oldest had just turned 3 and we were lucky there was a spot open. The little one was 1 and no spot. He went somewhere else that was...fine...he was safe and fed. However, maybe they never turned the lights off? or didn't have a quiet room? hard to imagine but he didn't nap. They said he wouldn't nap, which was nonsense. At pick up sometimes he was asleep literally on the floor of the main room. He'd sleep in the car/bike, pass out at home and barely revive for dinner. We had to move him ASAP. Once with Miss Rita, he napped perfectly fine without any trouble. Such a relief. They have healthy food and snack every day. Lunch is prepared and the menu posted daily (I love that). They occasionally take fieldtrips to the library and a local Italian restaurant (and send along any leftovers). They have circle time and interactively enjoy story books every day. They learn manners, taking turns and polite language that has been very helpful to use at home. Life is never always smooth and to help with that, Rita will always make time to discuss concerns and issues. We've talked to her when we wondered about our kids and she talked to us when there was something we could help with. That communication is important.

My grandchildren have attended Strawberry Farm since they were 2 year olds. They love the program…read moreand Miss Rita. She is the most kind, gentle and patient person. She is very knowledgable about childhood development and as a result, my grandkids have thrived under her watch. We are so grateful for all Miss Rita has done for our family.