Writing this a former full time employee/current on call substitute... My journey at Larks began when I was working for an early childhood substitute teaching company. Eventually the owner Bridget recruited me from the company and hired me full time. I have been in early childhood education for well over a decade now, I have seen a lot of schools: the good, the bad and the ugly! Larks Preschool is an absolute gem, both for its employees and the children attending. It is a small and intimate setting- just one classroom in an adorable one bedroom house that Bridget and her husband converted into a preschool. At most Bridget employs 3 teachers (outside of herself- so 4 total). And the max capacity is 20 children- so the ratio is a dream! And she does not hesitate to book a substitute when needed. At larger places that I have worked at, everyday we had to shift kids around or combine classes, it was stressful for the kids and the teachers. Not a thing at Larks! Also, I have loved not having to constantly stay late, deal with constantly being short staffed, or battle black out dates for my time off, or attend unpaid weekend trainings, ugh! I could go on, but back to Larks The routine is perfect for the children: consistent, well thought out and easy to follow. The layout of the house flows very well with the routine. The day is fairly short, 8am to 3:30pm, and many children only attend for a half day (leave at 12:30pm). The afternoons are quieter- such a nice way to end the day. Bridget is very rigid in her safety protocols and following licensing requirements, but I honestly very much appreciate it after some of the incidents I have witnessed at larger schools and corporate daycare centers. And you have a nice 30 minute time block for prepping for the day- the children don't arrive until 8:30am. Bridget has always been very understanding and flexible with time off with me. She has a lot of empathy around emergencies and life's upsets- not something I have come across often in a boss. There are also a lot of built in breaks. The school follows the DPS schedule and honors their snow days as well. Summer is shorter but still a good chunk of time- more than enough for a nice reset. Larks also has a wonderful SLP who visits several times a month and provides feedback to both us teachers and to parents- so helpful! It is rarely stressful at Larks and just makes for a really fun day- a breath of fresh air especially of you have been in the ECE game for a while. It is Reggio based and is a mixed age group (2.5 to 6 years). Bridget is a big advocate for play based learning, allowing children the opportunity to teach each other and she really emphasizes the importance of language and speech development- I have learned so much from her and my time at Larks. Her experience shows in how well her school functions. A lot of places I have worked I felt like I was much more reactive in my teaching and "putting out fires" all day, so to speak. At Larks, I have learned more preventative strategies and just to slow down and be much more intentional in my interactions. I cannot emphasize how grateful I am for how much I have learned at Larks. I have shared this with Bridget, but she and her school renewed my love for teaching and early childhood development. I was on the edge of completely burning out and considering a drastic career change when I started working at Larks and am truly forever grateful. Again, such a gem! And the families that attend are wonderful and it is in such a great neighborhood- really nice place to go on walks for your lunch break! And younger siblings usually end up attending which is so fun to see. Families often keep in touch for years afterward and reach out to Bridget for feedback and for advisement in their child rearing and school selections, it is very sweet. It is a beautiful place! 10/10 would highly recommend! A great place to start your career in ECE as Bridget, Rachel and Kim are all highly experienced- wish I would have found it much sooner! But also a wonderful place to go if you are just burnt out/underpaid and wanting to rediscover the joys in teaching young children. read more

Would give zero stars if possible. This school's style of fitting children into boxes is harmful (especially for young boys). Had to transfer our son who is flourishing elsewhere. read more

We love Larks! The most wonderful (consistent) teachers and environment for our two children. I love that all ages interact together instead of being separated by age. Finding a play based preschool with a child led approach vs overly structured and rigid was important to me and we found that at Larks. Monthly play dates and family dinners helps to create a wonderful community for children and parents. 3 years in and we are happy to continue sending our children to Larks every week! read more

We sent our daughter here for not only the play based education, knowing it is beneficial, but also for the promise of a strong literacy program, which it is not. If you are looking for your child to Learn any phonic awareness, sound recognition, or any basic alphabetic awareness, do not send your child here. We repeatedly asked for proof of written word work and requested work to be sent home, and received nothing. The statement on their web page claiming to set academic goals your child's (pre-k) year is false. They will not follow through and never come back to you on your goals. Again, when I asked I was told to not worry and to not push literacy learning at home-what a mistake that was. For what you pay to attend here, your child will not enter kindergarten with any step up on academics. read more

We are so pleased with Larks! My son attended last year and it was exactly what I wanted for his first school experience. The environment is warm and open and there is a nice balance between free play and structure. The mixed age group and teacher/student ratio creates a safe and family-like setting. All the teachers are wonderful and bring something unique to the table. I've seen tremendous growth in my son and look forward to sending him to Larks for another year! read more

Our daughter went to Larks preschool for 2 years. We wish we could stay longer, but she had to start kindergarten. Before she started preschool, I was concerned about separation anxiety and etc because she stayed at home with me everyday for 3 years. Mrs.Bridget and Mrs. Kim handled it very patiently and professionally. After only a few days, my daughter started to like going to Larks! I know the teachers created a safe and welcoming environment which made my daughter felt secure and loved. Everyone was super kind and supportive in Larks. We cannot say it enough about how much we love Larks and appreciate all the hardworking of the team. They nourish kids and treat each kids with love and respect. We love them! After two years of Larks, we built great relationship with teachers and other the families. It felt more like a community for us. My daughter still talks a lot about her friends and teachers at Larks. read more

Larks Preschool - Preschools Near Me - Denver, Colorado

My son attended Larks for two years and my daughter is enrolled for the upcoming year. We're so happy at Larks! There is a strong sense of community and kindness which I believe lays the right foundation for school readiness. Their ability to communicate needs is exceptional and they are well guided in working with others. I've said it again and again, I have never seen any type of conflict or drama that lead to bullying or my child coming home upset. I think they put a lot of importance on community, and emphasize the idea of lifelong learning. I'm a former NY state certified elementary teacher and I am very satisfied with both the amount of love my kids receive and a well rounded education. read more

Larks Preschool taught my toddlers everything they needed to know about socialization in a fun and loving environment! As they were growing and developing, they also gave me great tips on how to parent them in a positive, effective way. My kids learned to play well with others, be good listeners, be responsible for themselves, apologize when they hurt someone feelings, clean up messes and transition. The director and teachers are loving and caring. read more

Larks Preschool is the best choice for your child's first school experience. My daughter has blossomed socially, her confidence has grown, and her love for school is through the roof. Miss Bridget is an incredibly knowledgeable teacher and really makes deep connections with each of her students and has two amazing teachers working with her. When you walk through the door you enter a happy, friendly, fun, safe, comforting, nurturing place where your child will learn and be challenged. We love our school home! We feel so lucky that we got to be apart of such a fabulous community for two years. read more

Larks is AWESOME. There is just no other way to say it. Bridgette (director) is amazing. The teachers (even subs if they ever need them) are superb. There are just too many reasons why we love Larks but to name a few: 1) Bridgette (director) isn't like these other preschool directors. She doesn't just delegate responsibilities and sits in her office drinking coffee. She is there playing with kids when I drop my son off, she is there reading to them when I pick them up. She doesn't just do admin, she is involved in day to day activities and knows each and every child that comes to Larks. She works with you, she listens to all the positives and even the negatives (which are rare!) with open ears and mind. 2) The teachers. Oh how I love them. They are just wonderful. My son comes home and says his best friend is Ms. x or Ms. X. My son is on the shy side and the teachers have done magic on him. He is still a shy boy but he wants Ms. Paige to pick him up and give him a bug hug in the morning (and she does just that!) All the teachers do...because that's Larks philosophy. 3) The other parents. They are all amazing. Ms. B (as we call her), does an amazing job getting other parents involved. I have made many friends through Larks who are close and dear to me. Finally, this year will be my son's third year attending Larks and pretty soon will be followed by younger one. We wouldn't have Larks any other way. Thank you for being amazing. read more

Larks Preschool is an incredible asset to this community. My oldest daughter is a Larks alumni and entered elementary school confident and ready both academically and socially. My middle child, who has a very different personality and learning style, has also thrived at Larks and is ready for her next educational step. Bridget, her dedicated and talented teaching staff, and the Larks community of families set this preschool apart. Larks Preschool is a SAFE, creative and dynamic learning environment with very clear boundaries and accountability for the children. I am excited to witness my youngest child thrive and grow this fall at Larks. read more

We searched for the right play-based preschool in Denver for a long time. We've found an amazing home at Larks. The teachers are patient, loving, friendly, and communicate well. The director is attentive and always ready to help. Most important, my child is thriving. She loves going to school, has learned how to interact with children in a safe, fun way, and comes home each day happy. We couldn't be more pleased with our choice. We love Larks! read more

I cannot say enough amazing things about Larks! This is our third daycare/preschool experience with our daughter and the first time she has truly received personalized and individualized attention! All the teachers are amazing and care so much about helping the children grow and learn. I love the small environment and consistency the school provides, same 3 teachers every week, same set of children, no floating teachers or moving students based on ratios. Our daughter truly loves to go and was devastated during the shutdown to be missing school (as was I!). Even during this time, the teachers made an effort to stay engaged with daily zoom sessions and face-timing. When they reopened in June they did so in a well thought out and safe manner which allowed the children to learn and play while also ensuring the safety of the students and teachers. I am so grateful to Larks for creating an environment where my daughter can learn and grow safely, especially now. read more

Our daughter is in her first year and we couldn't be happier to be a part of the Larks family. We will be returning again next year. The intimate and caring environment is comforting as a parent. The teachers have done a fabulous job orienting to what sparks curiosity in our daughter and they have been communicative at every turn. She talks in great detail about what she learns and affectionately looks forward to sharing things that happen outside of school with her friends and teachers. We are extraordinarily grateful for the team and all they contribute to our daughter's development. Wonderful school overall. read more

I sent both my children to Larks. I was impressed with the cooperative community the teachers create with the children. My son was 2.5 and my daughter was 4 when we started Larks, and they both were engaged and enriched from the play curriculum. I was especially fond of the art projects the teachers had for the children in the morning! I tend to be type A, so it set my mind at ease to see how well the physical environment is cared for as well. The learning space is immaculate, toys and nap areas are kept scrupulously clean. The most important thing though, was that the teachers genuinely loved and got to know my children. When I picked them up at the end of the day, the teachers and children would typically be relaxed and playing together. My youngest had a difficult year with his health, and I don't think I would have trusted any other childcare center with him. I had total trust that my children were with people who cared for them and would be able to pick up on any subtle signs that my son might need attention. As a caveat, the contract length and toilet training requirements might not be for you. However, I found the staff to be very supportive and the director was crystal clear from the beginning about explaining her specific policies. read more

When I began researching a preschool to send my almost 3 year old, I quickly became frustrated at the lack of play based, child lead Preschools in Denver. After countless hours googling, I stumbled upon Larks. I immediately called and got a tour. Meeting Ms. Bridget a week or so later, I was completely smitten with Larks and couldn't wait for my little one to start the following fall. Now nearing the end of her first year, I can't sing Ms Briget and Lark's praise high enough. My daughter has learned how to share, communicate, wait her turn and play with other kids. I am so looking forward to another year, and her beginning Kindergarten ready and confident read more

My 3 yo daughter is in her 2nd year at Larks and she is thriving. The environment at Larks is very welcoming and safe for the students. The teachers are truly TOP NOTCH and know each and every child on a very personal level. The daily routine at the school is very consistent and encourages children to be creative, social and well-mannered individuals. I cannot say enough good things about Larks and how it's been a great fit for our daughter. read more

Our daughter has gone to Larks for two years now and the experience has been wonderful. I know some of the details of the negative review posted on 1/4/16 as our daughter was enrolled at the same time and I completely disagree. Obviously we would never send our daughter to a school where safety is a concern. I'm disappointed Megan would leave such a nasty review with allegations that I believe to be completely unfounded. Larks is a small business and such a review impacts people's livelihoods. I know the school well and I know of no other parents that left so I would take Megan's rant with a healthy dose of skepticism. read more

The folks at Larks have helped me grow an awesome little human. They really know how to each kids how to play together, and teach them at the same time. I used to wonder what was going on when I'd ask my daughter what she did and school, and she'd reply , "Mommy, I play all day." Shortly after that, she came home and spoke a few words in Japanese. My daughter doesn't tattle, comfortably introduces herself to people and doesn't crumble when kids aren't nice to her. That is enough for me - But somehow they have managed to sneak in some awesome education too! She knows all of her letters, is starting to read and make out her words, knows her numbers and shapes, and can do (very) basic math. We sadly moved out of the area, but my daughter asks for Larks and her friends every day. read more

Our son attended the school for a year. When his sister joined him his second year, she repeatedly was coming home injured. After I questioned it, the owner of the school emailed to say that both kids were no longer enrolled at her school. Very disappointing and shocked at the lack of tact in the owner. Would not recommend! Others are leaving Larks as of the first of the year. Think twice before getting into a contract with this school. It took weeks for the owner to send us our money back. The owner has always been very disorganized. In fact, academics for the older children didn't begin until October because they were too disorganized and busy to get around to it. If you're looking for a preschool for your child, look elsewhere! read more

This preschool is so loving and warm. What a great way to start our son's learning. The staff is amazing. The place is adorable. Everyone is great. Definitely check this place out for your little one. read more

Larks is an outstanding choice for families looking for a happy, creative, play-based program for their children with a wonderful team of teachers who get (and enjoy) preschoolers. Every morning when we arrive, the children are engaged in an activity such as painting, creating shapes in shaving cream or sculpting with clay. I learned later from one of the teachers that materials like shaving cream are not only fun to squish and sculpt, they are a great, age-appropriate way for preschoolers to learn how to draw letters and numbers as they don't yet have the manual dexterity to write with a crayon, pen or pencil. As the parent of a 3.5-year-old boy, I also appreciate the strong emphasis on social skills--getting along with others, making friends, respecting other children and adults, being a good listener, washing your hands, and eating together at the table. The teachers warm and caring, they truly love spending time with the kids and getting to know them as individuals. They are always aware of what the kids are doing. Often, there are three teachers and an assistant or parent helper for a class of twenty. The teachers know my son's strengths and work to encourage them. They also keep close tabs on his areas of improvement and are eager to hear how he is doing at home. Knowing that a child's first years of education are critical to his/her long-term educational success and fostering a lifelong love of learning, I am grateful we found Larks. read more

My oldest attended the school for 2 years and my younger son is in his second year. It was the perfect environment for both of them, even though they are very different. All staff make it a point to get to know the children so that all of their needs are met. My oldest looks forward to days when his Kindergarten is out, but Larks is open, because he can't wait to spend a day with them again. I highly recommend it to anyone looking for a creative, play-based, and thoughtful preschool. read more

My 3 year old LOVES Lark! She has learned how to be a good friend, how to work well with other children, & so much more. They encourage every child to be independent and creative, express themselves and use their imaginations. I love Lark's weekly emails telling us what the children have learned and explored each week. The pictures in the weekly emails show the kids having FUN while learning. I show the pictures to my daughter. She gets so excited to tell me about her friends. She loves to tell me about each picture as to what they as doing and how fun it was. I'm so happy that we choose Lark for our daughter. read more

Hi -- We have used Larks Preschool for all three of our kids since 2011. Not only are they an excellent, play-based, multi-aged classroom, but the caliber of the teachers never ceases to amaze me. They have successfully been able to address the VERY different needs of each of my kids, and supported our family with coaching and feedback during the very challenging time of toddlerhood. Each of my kids has been well prepared for the next step at Larks, and, most importantly, instilled with a sense of self-confidence and creativity that will serve them well for years to come. read more

What a lovely preschool. My son who graduated Larks still talks fondly of his time there. A wonderful environment in which the kids learn through play. My son learned to "use his words" to express his feelings more clearly at preschool, and it has helped him in Elementary School. We thank Ms Bridget for her hard work there! read more