Where do I even begin with Meridian Hills Cooperative? My family and I love this little school so…read moremuch. This is going to sound overly dramatic, but it aint no lie: Enrolling my child into this school has probably been one of the best decisions I've made since moving to Indiana. We just finished the 4s class, which was our first foray into any type of schooling. Meridian Hills Cooperative is play-based, which means that the kids learn through exploring, building, creating, moving their bodies, and just plain being kids. The teachers do not push the kids to do anything (as in, they aren't receiving formal lessons in the 4s class) -- instead, the teacher invites each child to participate, and lets them join in whenever they feel comfortable. Each child is valued for whatever stage they're at in life. Similarly, each type of personality -- from super shy guys to boisterous kids to everything in between -- is cherished and respected. A huge plus about the school is that they value playing outdoors. They will tell you straight up when you go for a tour: We play outside in all types of weather! The only time the kids won't play outside is if the weather is dangerous, such as during thunderstorms, or if the windchill is in the single digits. Otherwise, kids bring their snow clothes, rain boots and other outdoor gear because they know they'll be playing outside, rain or shine! Meridian Hills Cooperative is a co-op, which means that parents participate in the classes on a rotating basis. I love this aspect of the school because you really get to know your child's classmates, and in turn, the other parents really get to know YOUR child very well. It's very much like an extended family, with everyone invested in each other's well being. One of the most unique aspects of Meridian Hills is the Kindergarten class. This school is one of the only in the Indianapolis area that offers a part-time Kindergarten. (It meets Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays.) On Thursdays, the class spends all day outdoors in the "forest Kindergarten" area, which is basically set up to be an outdoor classroom. So the kids get to learn while feeling the cool breeze, hearing the birds chirping and feeling the earth under their feet. It is such an amazing space, and an amazing way for kids to learn. I feel like I could go on and on about Meridian Hills, but it's just one of those things you have to check out yourself. I'm probably the most jaded and cynical person I know, but whenever I talk to people about this school, I get super mushy and emotional recounting all the ways I love this school and how much my child has grown and blossomed because of it. It's truly been a blessing in our lives.

I searched high and low (aka Noblesville to downtown Indy) looking for a nondenominational,…read moreplay-based preschool for my daughter. After looking at multiple Montessori schools and not finding many other options, I was delighted to find MHCNS. As soon as I arrived, I knew I had found something special. The spacious outdoor playground is like no other I've seen in the area (and there are hiking trails, too!). Once inside, I was impressed by the "block room" full of wooden toys for building, the "art room" with easels set up and a table full of homemade play dough, and a third room where the children were enjoying board games and reading in little groups. And then I met the teachers. There are three, and they are all amazing. They have history with the school, an easy rapport with the children, and they believe in the power of play. I was also impressed that this school has a half-day kindergarten available. As a cooperative (and member of Indiana Council of Preschool Cooperatives), this preschool is run by parents. One of your child's caregivers will help out in the classroom once or twice a month and take on a "job" within the school. Your job could be anything from organizing the Fall Picnic to ordering the art supplies for your child's classroom or caring for the class pet. My daughter loves seeing me in her classroom, and it really gives me a better sense of what she is experiencing and what I can do to help her grow. MHCNS offers parent education nights and a two day training workshop. Since all of the parents are so involved with the school, you really get to know the other families and create lasting friendships. Overall, I feel that being part of this school has not only been beneficial to my daughter, it has also made me a better parent.

Our son just graduated from the STEM Pre-K program at CYC this past year. We were never less than…read morepleased with the quality of his care. His lead and assistant teachers were consistent throughout the year (no constant turnover and drama like we experienced at his previous center). The classrooms were spacious and well-equipped, and also serves as an instructional center for IUPUI students studying early education. We especially liked the STEM program as the class progressed through multi-week thematic units based on the children's current interests (e.g. simple machines, dinosaurs, castles, camping). Students use a blend of technology and tactile materials and toys, and our son was even able to read and comprehend short stories before leaving for kindergarten. There are a number of ways for parents to get involved as the classrooms go on numerous field trips and the center hosts family events and open houses. Class updates and pictures are provided via the Tadpoles app throughout the week. Parent conferences are held twice a year. The center is professionally managed by IUPUI and a friendly, new, hands-on director was just hired in spring of 2019. We would recommend the center to anyone working, studying, or living in the downtown area.

Center for Young Children Best preschool ever!read more

This school used to live up to it's claims of meeting the child where they are, educating the whole…read morechild, fostering their individuality, etc. In the past few years I have experienced a tremendous decline in their ability to hold true to this, sadly. I give it an average star rating because these days is just a costly version of any typical, yet capable public school with the addition of arrogance in their approach.

All three of our children attended The Orchard School. We are very pleased with the education they…read morereceived and so are they. I've often tried to sift through all our years and determine what they most learned/received at Orchard and if I had to pick one attribute (and there are many), I'd pick confidence. They are all confident public speakers. For example, when my daughter was a junior in high school, she won an award that required her to speak at a dinner with over 400 people present. I tried several times to get her to practice and review her speech in advance, knowing that the previous recipient had a professional speech writer. In frustration, one evening she said, "Mom, I went to Orchard. Don't worry." She delivered a flawless speech without notes. They are all confident about their ability to learn. Orchard likes to say they help create lifelong learners and they do. Each of our children knows how to learn and they like to learn. They are all confident expressing themselves to anyone. In high school, their teachers observed that unlike many shy teens they were not afraid to ask questions and advocate for themselves or for others. And, this has continued throughout their college and post-graduate years. Orchard invites and teaches children how to respectfully approach adults. At Orchard, education is not just about science, English, history, etc. While these are important, it's also about helping develop good people and preparing them for the future.

St Matthew's has a great Pre-K program! We are not Catholic but my daughter goes here 3 days a…read moreweek. She loves it! She has a ton of fun and learns without realizing that is what she is doing. They have play based curriculum which is perfect for 4-5 year olds. The staff is fantastic and caring. My husband passed away during the school year and I know that the teachers have taken extra care of my daughter and really have given her a safe place to express her sadness and thoughts. I would highly recommend the program.

From the owner: Specializing in: - Catholic Churches…read more- Schools

Our experience was great with this school and I'm glad we found Scott and Emily. My youngest son…read morestarted here for what we thought would be one year before we started him in The Orchard School, which is where our oldest is attending school. Instead, the experience was so good they earned the right to keep our son one more year before heading off to Orchard. There were lots of little things I appreciated about his experience here: 1 - Healthy eating! Emily and her staff were consistent in their message that kids need healthy snacks and this fits well with my personal belief we are what we eat. My son came home asking for broccoli! 2 - Geography and pin poking - This is a Montessori activity that I didn't know anything about until his experience. My son completed a map of each continent, opening the door to talking about those areas of the world and what they do there, eat there, sing there, etc. We still have these maps up in our home and use them as a reference when talking about areas of the world. 3 - Reading and singing - Scott coming and playing Rudi music on Wednesdays was a highlight for my son. When he started there, my son wasn't sure about himself or going to school and Scott's music brought out my son's personality and helped give him confidence and joy for singing and learning all the new words, sounds and days that came with those songs. He really started his love of reading here, too, which I appreciate as an avid reader. 4 - Behavior growth - My son really thrived in a time where learning those social skills, learning how to manage your emotions, learning appropriate responses to others in those situations, etc. because of the guidance at this school. I very much recommend this school as a solid choice for helping your young child get started on the right foot for their education.

Our daughters both attended CMS. We had a great experience. Both learned so much while they were…read morethere and made a lot of good friends. We always felt secure dropping our kids off at CMS--we knew they would be seen, loved, cared for, and educated.

What can we say about IMS? There are almost too many wonderful things to mention in one review!…read more Miss Ranee has such a passion for teaching children. She is patient, calm and direct. She expects the children to excel, and she helps give them the confidence to rise to the occasion. All of the teachers are quick to identify student's strengths and areas for growth and have consistently communicated his learning plan to us via daily notes and parent teacher conferences. My son was recognizing his letters when he first started Kindergarten, and is now able to read level one chapter books at the end of the year. His verbal and written communication have improved exponentially as well, and despite his naturally shy demeanor, he is now confidently reciting poetry in front of classmates and parents. The curriculum is top notch as well and we love the diversity of subjects that the school teaches. The school staff is also fabulous. Miss Erica in the front office is always there to help with anything the parents or children need during the day. I always felt confident sending my child to school each day. I can't recommend IMS enough!

We love IMS! Both of our girls started there around age 3 or 4 and both will have completed…read moreKindergarten there as well. The teachers are all supportive and reliable. The education is well-rounded. We love the cultural appreciation that the children are taught. Our oldest entered elementary school ahead of the curve on her reading/writing and math. The individual attention is remarkable. Both of our girls have loved all of their teachers and support staff and always looked forward to a fun day at school.

We were here a few months and it wasn't a good experience…read more Our son started crying about going the night before and was consistently very upset at drop-off, which had never happened before. Communication was minimal (rare updates or photos), and staff seemed to change often. I spoke to the directors about wanting even ONE photo update a week, which felt reasonable considering my son was there 5 days a week, but nothing happened. Food quality was pretty poor. My child often didn't eat anything throughout the day. I also overheard a teacher speaking to kids in a way that felt too harsh for toddlers. The center is now a Paths to QUALITY Level 1 (previously a Level 4), which may explain the decline. There are some positives (hours, cost, outdoor space), but overall it wasn't the right environment for our child.

My son has attended Polly Panda for approximately six months, and I could not be more satisfied…read morewith our choice! The directors, Tammy and Gail, have both been at the school for over 20 years. Their passion for high-quality early childhood education was evident the moment I met them. Every morning they greet my son warmly at the door and walk him safely to his classroom. I leave for work confident my child is receiving the best possible care. My child loves coming to school each day and excitedly tells me about his day every time we drive home. The teachers at Polly Panda are highly skilled, experienced, and deeply care about every child. I hold teaching licensure myself, hold a master's degree in education, and have nearly two decades of teaching experience (including preschool). I am highly impressed with the quality of the teacher-created lessons I have seen here. They are creative, engaging, and developmentally appropriate. My child was writing his name before his fourth birthday and can now "read" me several of his favorite stories. I have seen his skills blossom immensely during his time at Polly Panda. Most importantly, the teachers genuinely love my son and treat him as if he were their own child. "Miss Judy" even went far enough to send my son birthday greetings on his actual (weekend) birthday. He was thrilled, and so was I! To everyone at Polly Panda, THANK YOU!!! Keep up the great work! It is obvious, simply looking at the tenure of the average staff member, that this is truly a magical place.

Love GOCP. We wanted something part time and smaller class size for our 3 year old. We also wanted…read moresomething where mom and dad could be more involved in the classroom and had a learn by play philosophy. Our old preschool was a more traditional daycare and it just felt like too much of a school setting for a 3 year old.

Sending our kids to Geist Orchard Cooperative Preschool was the greatest thing we could have done…read morefor them. The cooperative environment was hard to get used to at first, because we are a family where both parents work. But it always seemed to work out, and the kids loved getting to know all the parents. It was a small enough classroom environment, and we always felt the kids were very safe and happy there. Our oldest son is still friends with two of the girls he met at GOCP, and it's been about 5 years since they all started hanging out together. The school moved out to McCordsville a few years ago, and the church where the school meets is a bit far removed, but it's a great facility and the playground is great. In all, we had a great experience and would recommend GOCP with two thumbs up!

Visited this childcare facility and immediately knew I wanted my son to be out on the waitlist…read more Very professional and the facility is nice and clean.

We transition from an in-home daycare to pathways when they open in November. It's an amazing…read morefacility, brand new, top-of-the-line security and see my systems accessible to me and my husband to watch our 1 yr old who has recently transitioned from the infant classroom to the 1yr old classroom. I love the online application brightwheel where I get up to the moment communications on with my daughter eats, what she's eaten, when she takes a nap, and even when she goes potty. Highly recommend interested parents take a tour!

I cannot recommend Miss Linda highly enough. My son started seeing her about 15 years ago when he…read morewas struggling to find his voice and wasn't talking yet. Under her care, he truly blossomed. Fast forward to today: he is 18 years old, maintained a 4.0 GPA throughout high school, and is headed to Purdue University next year! We truly believe his academic success and confidence started with the incredible foundation Miss Linda provided all those years ago. If you are looking for someone who genuinely changes lives, she is the one.

I spent months looking at all of the preschool options in the area and I am so glad I chose Little…read moreScholars. Miss Linda is absolutely amazing. After one school year with Miss Linda my three year old is reading, writing, and spelling and has so much confidence it's amazing. I was very afraid of bringing my daughter to preschool because she was very attached to me and I thought she would have a hard time being away from me. My daughter met Miss Linda and was instantly smitten. Miss Linda's devotion to each student's individual development is amazing and my daughter is always so excited when it's a school day. It's truly amazing to see what my daughter has accomplished in one school year with Miss Linda. I truly feel that Miss Linda has instilled a love for school in my daughter and I am so grateful.