I usually get SO excited to write reviews. I'm happy to share my family's amazing experiences with…read moreGLP. But I'm a little heart broken that I'm writing this review because I no longer have a preschooler...I have a kindergartner!
Almost 3 years ago my daughter started going to the Stepping Stones class at GLP. Stepping Stones is a wonderful pre-preschool program for kids 2.5-3yrs who aren't able to or aren't ready to start preschool just yet. This is an amazing class for the kids that are a little shy, aren't quite potty trained, or just as an introduction to the classroom environment. Mrs. Eileen and Mrs. Denise are exactly what you'd expect from a preschool teacher. Warm, fun, caring, perceptive, I could go on for days. The kids just love them, loved their class and could not wait to go into the class each time(no separation anxiety here). I was lucky enough to help for the day, and they really create an environment that fosters creativity, learning, exploration, and wonder. Mrs. Eileen also helped me and gave me resources to get my youngest into a great special needs preschool program with the school district. Mrs. Eileen and Mrs. Denise are an awesome team and they also do "All By Myself" and "Little Campers" classes to name a few. My kids still get super excited to see them in the hallway or around the park district.
The year when my oldest officially started preschool, her teachers were Mrs. Hanssel and Mrs. Lisa. For 3 year old preschool she had to be potty trained, which I was very nervous about. At home she'd fight me on going to the bathroom or wait til the last minute and have accidents. It was a major power struggle. So her first day of school as I left, I honestly felt like a mother bird pushing her baby bird off a branch. But things went smoothly, she actually had an almost accident, they changed her, and after that there were no more problems. My daughter loved going to school and she got really attached to her teachers, especially Mrs. Lisa. She also came out of her shell and started making friends, all while learning ABC's, counting, colors, and so much more. Mrs. Hanssel really has a knack for making learning a blast. The art projects and class activities she comes up with are super creative and engaging. She is very personable and her weekly newsletters were very informative.
For her last year of preschool, my daughter was first with Mrs. Staib MWF, but switched to Mrs. Witt and Mrs. Cheryl's class so she could go M-F. These. Teachers. Are. THE BOMB. My daughter blossomed under their careful attention. She's more talkative and confident than ever before, which blows my mind since she's always been so so quiet and shy. She's learned to write all her letters, and even read a little too. Mrs. Witt greets the kids each day, starts a dialog with them right away. I think it really lets the kids know that they are important but also to leave their cares at the door. I swear, my daughter is insane in the morning and impossible to get out of bed. But as soon as we get to school, she's a different kid! So excited to see her teachers and learn.
I knew these teachers would be great because the summer before my kids had camp classes with them. The first day I brought them, I was so afraid my son wouldn't be able to participate and that his special needs would be too much of an obstacle. Mrs. Cheryl was so understanding! She asked a lot of questions to better understand him, made sure he had extra help, and even helped get him a Seaspar aid which has helped him participate in other park district programs. He was so happy to be included! And the camps they come up with are so fun. Each week is a different theme, from art to pirates to dinosaurs.
The team at GLP is wonderful. Each teacher clearly loves what they do and it makes this preschool a very special place for the little ones to learn and grow. If they can turn my wild rapscallions into productive members of society, they can basically work miracles.