Updating, since we're still here at IPCP 7 years later! We have now had all four of our children go…read morethrough IPCP (with the youngest graduating this spring) and everything written below still holds. This school has been such an amazing place for our kids and an incredible community for our entire family. The play-based learning and conscious discipline approach has given our kids a great start, and we have loved the opportunity to be involved every step of the way. We've made life-long friends and strong connections to the local community that we'll carry with us even after we leave the school!

Love this school. I'm a nerd so I created a spreadsheet of 25 Atlanta intown preschools, went on…read moretours at 6 or 7 of them, and submitted applications to 3. Got my kid into all 3, and chose IPCP. Why did we choose it? The co-op approach. It's not for everyone -- you might just want a transactional relationship with your preschool, you do you -- but I was looking for a place where I could feel more involved. The coolest way to get involved is as a Parent Helper -- 1 day per month you get to (have to) work as a teacher's helper in the classroom. That's a lot of fun, you get to see what your kid is doing all day, and you learn a few new songs. Also love the outdoor focus - unless it's pouring, kids spend almost half their day outside, which I think makes my son happier and less cranky. The biggest downside is that they have limited space. So may Lady Luck be on your side.

We found this school several years ago and have had one child graduate through their pre-K program…read moreand move onto kindergarten, as well as a child currently attending in their two year old classroom. The teachers and the staff are really special and we have always felt really good about our decision to leave our little ones with them. There are a lot of fun events hosted by the school each year, as well as some really fun offerings for after school enrichment as well. Would definitely recommend MDO to anyone looking for a great preschool!

This is such a sweet school with wonderful teachers and staff. They have so many fun activities and…read morethe small classes are a huge plus for us.

IPS is awesome. By awesome, I mean amazing, by amazing, I mean, is a perfect fit for our family…read more To clarify things, they are located on Amsterdam Ave in Amsterdam Walk. And although their website which is a bit simple and generic, the school itself is wonderful. We moved to ATL from the west coast less than 2 years ago. I researched preschools and set up appointments to tour in person once we moved to Atlanta; we got here and found a school which was good on paper, but less than a month in, it proved to be a train wreck. Then I stumble upon IPS, despite their website which doesn't have a ton of info and their Yelp profile, which is completely neglected (only 1 other review and not even the correct location listed), but I schedule an appointment and we are not disappointed! We met a co-director, now Owner, and there are not enough complements I can deliver to Ms. Megan or to the school. The school feels like a real school; not simply a daycare center. There are multiple classrooms for each respective "grade" level. Daily meals served are vegetarian and there's a dedicated outdoor play area. Ms. Megan, along will all the other teachers and staff I've met are sincere, supportive, and genuine. They are talented and patient with the kids. I like the exposure to multiple cultures and languages, and there's an awareness and mindfulness instilled to the children without being trendy or trying too hard. There's a strong PTO and other like-minded families abound. I'm so happy to have found them and cannot believe there aren't more reviews to sing their praises. It's a half day schedule from toddler-hood through kindergarten, with multiple options for full day care, extra curricular activities, and a flexible schedule for less than 5 days/week if desired. They also have summer camps. If you're looking for a preschool, I'd definitely check them out.

My 4 and 2 year old sons have attended IPS for the past two years, and they love it! My husband and…read moreI love it too. This school is - above all else - nurturing, flexible, and willing to do what is needed to give your kids and you as the parent the best possible experience. The school is centrally located to the Midtown, Ansley Park, Morningside, and Virginia Highland neighborhoods. It is clear from the moment you walk in that the school is a happy place focused on finding what is special about kids this age and letting them shine. The administrators are truly special and unique. They care about every single kid who walks through their doors and, in my experience, are willing to take creative approaches to problem solving so that each kid can work through whatever difficulty he or she is experiences and continue to grow and thrive. This approach has helped my kids to learn while gaining confidence in their individuality. The teachers too are caring - and maybe more importantly - consistent. Coming from a school where teacher turnover was a major problem, it's been so nice for my kids to see the same smiling faces day in and day out at IPS. Finally, the diversity of the student population makes the educational experience all the more rich, and when you add in the language emphasis at IPS, kids are able to gain a global perspective that is otherwise hard to achieve. We love this school and would recommend it to anyone!

Kellen and his team have done an amazing job with our 3 and 2 year old, providing proactive…read moreupdates, keeping us informed of any changes relating to COVID and showing educational and developmental progress for our kids. We appreciate everything they do, and recommend to our friends.

Today was my daughters first day and we had an awesome experience. Jessica made us feel welcomed at…read morethe door. She was very nice to my daughter and got down on her level to explain how everything works. Ms. Kate was awesome and they had a welcome sign on the door specifically for my daughter with her name on it! She fit right in and I've already received a call with a positive update and photos! This was a great first impression and I'm excited for the rest of the year!

Our student does not go here. This is a review based on the tour and recruitment process that we…read morefelt we should share with prospective families. After touring SoulShine, a virtual group tour, we were not impressed and felt that prospective families should know about the schools structure before applying. This group of facilities does not operate to the level of a preschool and instead would be better reflected as a nature based daycare. The director who toured us was over the Kirkwood location but we saw photos of all three facilities. The rooms were well furnished but the curriculum in each space was greatly lacking with a student-led approach focusing on centers rather than a structured teaching day. We did not hear about the daily curriculum or milestone tracking for our students development. The tours involvement of curriculum seemed to be focused on what they had in each space (toys, playgrounds, book corner) rather than the learning. We were immediately put off at viewing the Kirkwood location when shown that the infant room opens directly to the outside of the building. While I am sure there are safety precautions in place there is not a way that I could feel comfortable as a parent knowing my newborn could potentially be interacting with strangers that approach the building. We will not be applying to this or any of the SoulShine locations and feel it is a overpriced daycare option and severly lacking preschool option.

Great daycare! My daughter has been attending the Decatur location for about a year and she loves…read moreit. We switched from the Montessori Academy to Soulshine and it has been great since day one. Teachers are caring and attentive, and we love the permaculture concept.

Wow, this school has been such a blessing for our family! Our two children have attended for the…read morelast three years, and we couldn't be happier. The Children's Garden is everything we dreamed of for our children--an environment where they can wake up each day and spend time outdoors, surrounded by a wonderful community that truly cherishes exploration, wonder, self-awareness, and age-appropriate learning. This place is definitely Grant Park's best kept secret! The philosophy here is a holistic and healing approach to children-based learning with an emphasis on art, nature, & community, which we value immensely. The preschool promotes a healthy lifestyle by providing fresh and organic foods for snacks, and the children even get to prepare these snacks themselves! Additionally, the staff is incredibly accommodating when it comes to food allergies, ensuring that all children feel safe and included. I want to thank Sally and her wonderful staff (Cira, Jessica, Erin, Freda) for providing genuine care and attention to each child. It's clear that you are invested in every child's well-being and development, which creates a nurturing environment where children can thrive. It's worked for our family. The magical atmosphere of the preschool is enhanced by the delightful festivals and birthday celebrations, which bring joy and wonder not just to the kids but into our household. We are so grateful to have found such a loving and enriching community for our children. Couldn't recommend more - once you've experienced and seen The Children's Garden ( Waldorf inspired) you can't unsee it. The other perk is the other parents are amazing! Have met some lifelong friends here - can't beat that! xo

The Children's Garden Preschool is an icing on the cake perk for the sweet families that live in…read moreGrant Park. It's not just a school, it's a true community. Those families who make a longer drive for their child(ren) to attend this school can attest to the school's genuine respect for the whole well-being of the child. I have three children who have been fortunate to spend their early "schooling" here. I put that word in parenthesis because the values and virtues that are taught and lived out in these classrooms are experienced quite differently than what one might experience at other schools. This gentle, quiet, rhythmic, grounded approach is what attracted my husband and I in the first place and is more than appropriate for children in their early years of life! We are honored to now have our third child at The Children's Garden. And over the years, we have been diligent to attend the extra parent workshops and teacher meetings provided by the school. Each and every time we do, we are introduced to new and helpful insight as to how to guide our children through life's obstacles. Currently, our oldest son, having graduated from The Children's Garden, is attending an academically rigorous local private school. He is doing very well, in fact, the work there is a breeze for him. I can thank The Children's Garden for their diligence in training my son's focus while he was there, leading to his ability to better attend to his work now. The staff at the Children's Garden is properly prepared and educated in how to teach the values of safety, respect, gentleness, kindness, individuality and autonomy in a way that directly translates to little ones. The facility is magical to the children. And the simple food pleasures worked on every day enliven their senses and appreciation of real food.

My now 6 year old first started at KFCDC for Pre-K in 2022 and has attended their summer camp each…read moreyear since. My 4 year old started here for preschool in 2023 and will be at KFCDC for Pre-K starting in August. Both of my kids have thrived here academically and socially. The teachers we've had have been above and beyond and have been with KFCDC for years. They post videos of the kids activities every day and provide excellent feedback during scheduled parent-teacher conferences. They promote kind and encouraging behavior amongst the class and reinforce this behavior. The Director is an outstanding and communicative leader and is quick to respond. The school has an excellent safety protocol and I have never been concerned or worried about my kids' safety. They do fun, creative activities with the kids each week. More importantly, both of my kids have always looked forward to school here and literally run through the door. When I pick them up each day they are happy.

Amazing staff. Wonderfully thoughtful programs for the kids and very communicative with parents…read morethroughout the day.

This is a fantastic little Preschool. The Director is very committed, she personally greets every…read moresingle kid in the mornings and knows all of them by name! It is developmentally appropriate and kids are move around classes according to their level of development in certain areas. My daughter had a very tough time adjusting but the teachers were really sweet and nurturing and gave me tips to ease the transition. They are very accommodating and truly love children.

I selected this preschool for my 2 year old recently and have been very impressed. My older child…read morewent to a larger, excellent preschool in the neighborhood which he loved, so I had high expectations with my search. I was however, convinced that this little school offers the same high quality, but in a smaller environment, which is a definite plus. There is a warm, casual, family feeling there along with an excellent education. My daughter looks forward to it everyday and is disappointed on the days she doesn't go - the best testament! The director is very aware of everything at all times and really cares about the kids. The playgrounds are beautiful, large, private, and well-equipped. A real gem!

After 9th grade, when my public school became so violent and overcrowded that it was no longer…read moresafe, I got sent to Paideia. My 3 years here were the best years of my entire educational career - including college and grad school! This place really is the most amazing school ever. I remember my first day just like it was yesterday. I was accompanied by one of my best friends, who was also making the big switch to a more civilized school. We sat in front of the bathrooms for like 10 minutes trying to figure out which one was for boys and which was for girls. Turned out you just use whichever one is open! In addition to just being an awesome environment, where you are accepted for being whoever you are, Paideia has a great curriculum. The year is divided into short and long terms. In the long terms, you take the standard stuff - physics, math, languages, etc. The short term is for classes that are a little more outside the box - Sociology of American Rock & Roll anyone? The teachers here are absolutely outstanding! You can totally tell that they love the school and truly believe in it's mission. And Paul, the headmaster, is just an all around great guy. Graduation was awesome. My graduating class was 57 people and Paul made a short speech about every single one of us! I am so thankful that I was able to go to Paideia on a scholarship. I regularly give them money so that others can do so as well. I am also backing them in their efforts to take over the whole block! Go Paideia!

From the owner: Paideia is an independent pre K-12 school located in Druid Hills. The school has become known for…read morethe individual attention it provides its students, for strong academics, for strong athletics and arts programs, and for a vibrant community spirit. Paideia is recognized nationally as a top college preparatory school.

We love the Waldorf school! We moved and it's to far to drive. Any child who gets the opportunity…read moreto experience such a nurturing environment will have such a different perspective and appreciation of their environment and the world.

The Waldorf School has been a magical experience for our daughter, especially during such uncertain…read moretimes. The quality of teachers and administration is beyond amazing. The community is open-hearted and the education and social setting has allowed our daughter to transform her anxiety into confidence and joy. Simply put, she LOVES school and begs me to let her stay as long as possible in aftercare. The way the administration has reinvented in-person learning during the pandemic is nothing short of inspirational. The outdoor classrooms are located on 6-acre, wooded campus that is buzzing with excitement, music and laughter. As an adult what I've discovered in my career (and life) is that I'm happiest during moments of being creative. This being said, the most significant thing I've witnessed in our daughter's journey at Waldorf is a blossoming of her inherent creativity which translates into more moments of happiness. As a mother I couldn't want anything more for my child. If you're looking for a heart-centered school that will nurture child's hunger to learn, grow and be be happy, I strongly encourage you to schedule a tour and whiteness the beauty of this education and school!