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.

As a father of three, I've seen first hand how Kumon of Noblesville has helped my kids grow in both…read moreMath and English. Each child learns at their own pace, and the improvement in their confidence, focus, and independent learning has been amazing. The staff is supportive and truly cares about every child's progress. Highly recommend for any parent looking to build a strong academic foundation!

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!

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.

Both of my son's (now 13 and 5) attended MMIA. Mrs. Lynda, Mrs. Sara and Mrs. Laura are just the…read morebest! The focus and individualize attention they pay to my son daily is a blessing. If you are looking for a wonderful learning environment for your son/daughter...don't hesitate to give them a call.

My daughter attended MMIA with Ms. Linda from the time she was 3 until she left for Kindergarten…read moreand I cannot begin to explain how wonderful of an experience we had. She started MMIA and had a difficult transition because she was used to being at home. They provided the perfect balance between nurturing her and helping her to develop her independence and self-confidence. Her foundation at MMIA encouraged her independence and learning in many ways. She learned Spanish consistently and to this day (she is now 9 years old) she has a natural love for Spanish and uses her free time to try and continue to learn Spanish (and she is taking Spanish in school as well). She is very independent and a leader. All of the teachers she has interacted with since leaving MMIA pride her in being a leader and quick learner. She started kindergarten (after leaving MMIA) reading at a 2nd grade level and has always tested ahead in reading and math. She is not only academically advanced; she is so confident and self-assured. She does not follow the crowd and is such an individual. She is always looking for new ways to learn and she is constantly questioning the status quo. MMIA is an amazing program that not only teaches our children beyond "standards" but based on their interests and desires. It is a program that teaches them in a non-pressure way and encourages them to be individuals (no group think here where everyone colors an elephant and if you don't color an elephant you are wrong and labeled as disobedient). At such a tender age she was able to be herself and grow self confidence that without a doubt has helped her to become such an avid learner and individual. Behind the Montessori approach are AMAZING teachers at MMIA. They have been with MMIA for decades and have a system that works! They understand children and Montessori. Not one other program/school we visited had the tenure that MMIA has and that is important to a child's stability and the programs consistency and success. If it is not obvious, I could go on and on about the benefits of enrolling at MMIA. While it's not the "flashiest" school we have visited, I would recommend it time and time again because it really is the best foundation you could give your child.

Have you ever been someplace that just kept drawing you back?…read more After a couple of visits, I had ultimately checked Second Presbyterian Church off my list and written my solid, if not particularly stellar, original review of the experience. I've visited other area churches, most notably a nearby Unitarian Church that features wonderful worship services. However, something has sort of always drawn me back to this large North Meridian Church and historic Indianapolis congregation. If you know me from Yelp, then you already know that I value community highly. As an aging adult with a disability in Indy, I've largely outlived most of my supports and I value those places where I fit within a community structure. I'm kind of like the weird uncle at the family reunion that you don't know how to interact with but you still kind of adore. I first attended Second Presbyterian during a no longer existing 6pm on Sundays that appeared to be trying to weave together both traditional worship yet casual atmosphere in a sanctuary that is anything but casual. I mean, seriously. Have you ever been to Second Pres? Casual is not a word I would ever use for their sanctuary. Fairly new senior pastor Chris Henry came in along the time I first attended, though with a congregation the size of Second Presbyterian it has taken time for things to be evaluated and changes to be made. The Sunday evening services, both a 5pm and a 6pm, fairly recently became one service known as "Together@5." Instead of being in the sanctuary, it's now held in McFarland Hall, a 3rd floor room that is still formal yet appears to be more of a banquet space than a worship space. People are gathered around tables rather than in pews, while the entire vibe is much more relational. I attended the first one - I enjoyed it, but it was highly attended and a bit overwhelming. Last night, for Easter, I attended again and was just really blown away by the adjustments that had been made and by the relaxed, warm spirit in the room from the music to the children's time to the message and everything else. It was a perfect example of professionalism meets authenticity. I think a congregation such as Second Presbyterian Church requires multiple visits to fully catch the vibe of the place and to do an honest review. My original review was premature. To be fair, the armed security still makes me uneasy. It just does and that's probably not going to change, though to be completely fair they're remarkably discreet and have never been less than courteous. With a church this size, even I'll admit that it makes sense. There's also little disability challenges in terms of access given the age of the church, though I've seen multiple congregants in wheelchairs and this is a congregation that has worked hard to make their congregation accessible. I do wish disability inclusive language was used a bit more - "please stand" is just immediately excluding. "Stand as you are able" is acceptable, while something along the lines of "Stand in Body or Spirit" is even stronger because it's empowering language. They have a Friendship Group for individuals with disabilities that meets on Thursdays at 6:30pm and if you've ever been here you know that they have a large number of community activities. They have a simple yet beautiful labyrinth that I use regularly on my more challenging days, while there's pretty much a place for everyone here. In some ways, Second Presbyterian feels like a mega-church but without the mega-church vibe. I contemplated going 4 stars - after all, no church is really perfect, but truthfully I've come to admire the ministry here quite a bit and I have to admit that I always leave feeling better than when I arrived - even on my really challenging days mentally or physically. As someone with a ministry background, as well, I see this as being a place where you could likely grow into your gifts in a variety of ways. So yeah, I'm bumping this one up to 5 stars and acknowledging my initial review was simply prematurely developed. While a church this size may not be for everyone, they have enough options available and are so warm and welcoming that you'd be surprised, like I have been, at how much you keep getting drawn back to it.

The annual Kenya Carnival at this church is lively and full of culture. Hundreds of church members…read moreattend, as well as the general community. We were greeted enthusiastically at the door and felt welcomed immediately. People were grilling out, playing games, and making crafts to send to kids in Kenya. Global Gifts (a store who gives profits back to the countries) had a booth and were selling a large array of jewelry, gifts, and little plates hand-made by Kenyans. There were also bounce houses and families running around everywhere. I would definitely recommend going to this event, as it was a great place to meet new people and support an impoverished country at the same time.

I am writing this on behalf of my granddaughter, my daughter and son-in-law. Our granddaughter has…read morebeen going to KinderCare close to a year. In that time, my daughter and son-in-law have been asked numerous times to keep their baby home or come get her early. Also, they are asked on occasion for parents to volunteer to keep their child at home/find other care for that day. Consistency in staffing is a big issue. Fridays are particularly bad for last minute staff call-offs. If you are looking for a dependable daycare for your child, I would look around and pay attention to the reviews. For the most part, the actual care has been good. But when the turnover is so frequent, and the call-offs are regular, and you're looking last minute for someone to watch your child, something isn't right. Not dependable. Moving elsewhere.

From the owner: Infant Programs (6 Weeks - 1 Year), Toddler Programs (1 - 2 Years), Discovery Preschool Programs (2…read more- 3 Years), Preschool Programs (3 - 4 Years), Prekindergarten Programs (4 - 5 Years), Before and After School Programs (5-12 Years), Summer Programs (preschool, prekindergarten, and school-age)

Overall I am happy with the care & trust the people. The teachers/front desk and the staff get 5…read morestarts from me. The organization on the whole is expensive - what you pay for fees, activities and just the care is pricey & sometimes it seems endless. Overall we have been happy.

From the owner: Learning Time Preschool is privately owned and has been serving the needs of young children and…read moretheir families for over 30 years. Our oversized classrooms are nestled in a homelike environment. The children together with their teachers rotate into theme based classrooms where they are introduced to a variety of language art activities, creative art, large muscle and science activities. Our infant and toddler program focuses on the individual needs of the children offering them sensory, music and cognitive experiences.

There is nothing not to love about this incredible school! From the loving expertise of the…read moreincredible staff to a curriculum that uniquely molds to your child's passions and curiosities, learning at Habitat is so much fun for my children! When they can follow their own lead, they learn at an alarmingly fast rate--from understanding the formation of our planets at age 4 to a very ground, real understanding and ability for multiplication and division at 5. And as a parent, I love learning here too! Volunteering as a parent has manifested the strongest group of like-minded parent friendships I may have in my adult life. So grateful for this place!

Great Day care center. My two children go here, they give you updates emails on your child. you can…read morecall in anytime to check on your child.Teachers and staff are friendly and nice.If your looking for a good day care center pick this one!

I am beyond upset with ABC 123 daycare in Noblesville In. My son has been going there since he was…read more1. Today i got a phone call that a decision was made of Un-enrollment do to him running out of an exit door. I had many questions as a concerned parent. How was nobody watching him? They claim that a teacher when running after him but by the time she grabbed him, he had already gone through the exit door. They also claim that my son who's 3 should know the difference between a regular and exit door. This is a high concern because thankfully nothing happen to him. Had he ran out onto the street what then? I just feel that this of high importance for parents to know. They didn't care that my son has been going there since age 1 and mostly didn't care do the circumstances we are facing now how hard it would be to find another daycare. I am mad about what happened and hurt but mostly, fear for the safety of the other children attending this facility.

My little girl goes to this school and I can't say enough how polite and helpful the teachers and…read morestaff are there. This school is truly unique and really brings out the eagerness to learn and creativity in kids. They currently offer three languages (other than English) which are French, Spanish, and Mandarin (Chinese). The kids pick out one language other than English and are basically taught two languages during the school year. Children are awarded throughout the year in front of the school for specific traits the teachers notice and acknowledge. I'm proud of our little girl who does her very best that she can in such a wonderful and advanced place of learning! Jason Spangle Old Foundry Toy Works

The International School of Indianapolis located on 49th Street is an amazing Language School only…read more, as far as academics are concerned I think they rank near the bottom. It's my opinion that the teaching staff are language Specialists from their part of the world and not qualified to teach academics here in the US. I'm basing this review on the experience of my 3rd grader home achieve quite a bit from a language standpoint but suffered academically; my wife and I decided to remove our child after several meetings with the head of school David and principal at that time whereas we were told that ISI could not meet our child's Advanced academic level of learning.