Bella Vista / Hawthorne preschool

[880ILR]

I'm looking for opinions on preschool options in the Bella Vista / Hawthorne area, particularly Moonstone, Sprouts or Beginnings as well as other notable insights. Thanks.

[chuckiezip]

we have two girls at beginnings, and we are very happy with their program. we'd say it's the best of the three, based on what we've heard about sprouts/moonstone, but we don't have the same depth of knowledge of the other 2. good things about beginnings:
- consistent curriculum, based on literacy, art, and movement (dance). if you're interested in a less structured, more free flowing daily routine, then sprouts or moonstone might be a better fit.
- flexible about the strengths and weaknesses of each child
- the art curriculum is very impressive, covering interesting artists (van gogh, frida kalho, etc.); the art curriculum is coupled to the literacy instruction.
- very nurturing and warm environment
- two playgrounds nearby that the children go to every day (for the older kids)
- sprouts is newer, small (could be + or -, depending on your child).
- moonstone is very loosely structured. larger program.
we're very happy with our situation but all 3 could be very good depending on your child's personality and talents.

[jillys]

We looked at all three and liked Beginnings best. Sprouts felt a little cold and disorganized--I remember feeling their facility was kind of dark. Also, I read some really negative reviews online after we ruled it out that made me happy we did. Granted, this is when they just opened so maybe some things have changed since then. I felt Beginnings had the best combination of facility, experience and curriculum.

If you're willing to expand your search a little, you may want to add Western on the 1600 block of South to your list. Our son has been there for 2 years and we've been very happy. I love the outdoor play area and the stability of the staff--some providers have been there for over 30 years.

Your best bet is to tour all of them and follow your instincts (along with a little knowledge about the facilities) as one parent's impressions may be different than another's.

Good luck!

[curly blue]

You should consider adding YCCA to your list! Our son went there for two years and it was a great experience. The teachers are loving, long-term, and the curriculum is very creative with a ton of art projects and lots of outside play too. The owner is really nice, but she took on a lot when the former director left. So, she was kind of stressed out but overall it's been very positive.

We have good friends whose kids went to Beginnings and Moonstone and loved them. They are different kinds of programs, but both are high quality, with very stable staff and are well-run. Beginnings is known as more of a structured "academic" preschool whereas Moonstone is more artsy. Personally I don't think it makes that much of a difference as long as the teachers are stable, loving and qualified. Kids will learn when they're happy and busy! I'd personally avoid Sprouts. We have known four different families who removed their kids from there because of overall poor quality care and bad interactions with the owners.

Isn't there a new daycare opening around 6th and Fitz just for babies and young toddlers? How about Apple Blossom? I hear they accept as young as 6 weeks old. They are near Independence Charter school at 16th and Lombard. Near there is also Formative Years. The kids have to be 3 and potty trained. It's in a dark basement with terrible lighting, but the teachers have been there for years. They take the kids out for lots of outside time and have really well stocked classrooms. I know 2 kids who went there and the parents raved about it.

With so few options in QV/BV, you might have to expand your search to the rest of the city and try to work out transportation. And I agree that you have to trust your instincts. Good luck!

[Mahdoumi]

I'm looking for opinions on preschool options in the Bella Vista / Hawthorne area, particularly Moonstone, Sprouts or Beginnings as well as other notable insights. Thanks.

Moonstone's wait list has been closed since it has 300+ families on it, which means waiting about three years until there's even a possibility of your child attending.

Just found this out. I thought people were kidding when they advised me to put her on Moonstone's wait list when I was pg with her 3 years ago.

[mendocino]

I'll second the nod to YCCA (Young Children's Center for the Arts).

They are located in the carriage house behind and on the grounds of Old Swede's Church. Drop off and pick up are easy. The teachers are long term. They do music, movement (including yoga), skills and art everyday - and have different dedicated teachers for each subject.

The outside time is key as they do not have to leave the school and travel to parks - therefore they get at least 2 outside times per day - even the youngest of them.

[MLM0755]

I looked at YCCA and in my opinion didn't care for it. It seemed a bit messy at 10am. Crumbs and other things on the rugs and the trash cans were overflowing which leads me to believe they were never changed the night before. The teachers all had cell phones near by and all of the kids had food in their hand while in the classrooms. Maybe it was snack time? I'd prefer my child not eat while learning. Also the outdoor area has no playground. Just a dirt area within feet of a cemetary. Creepy. As far as the cirriculum I wasn't given a copy of it. Had to call later and ask for it. A lot of people do like this school so don't take my word for it. Hey maybe they were having a bad day or the maintenance man didn't show up?

[curly blue]

I would say you might want to stick with a more structured preschool then. Crumbs and slight messiness don't bother me too much. The teachers are loving, capable, committed and professional. But, anyway, how about checking out Beginnings or Formative Years? Those are more structured, but still loving and creative. Or, what about a traditional daycare like Bright Horizons, Kindercare, or Busy Bees. They strike me as places where they've got things down to a science - give you a packet of info during your visit and follow up with you afterward, have reports on what your kids did during the day.

[MLM0755]

Thanks curly blue. I have to say the kids at YCCA were all content and did seem happy. Just wasn't the "one" for us. Lol. I did call Formative Years and was told to call back in the Fall. We are on the waiting list for Moonstone and Green/Byrne. I am touring Beginnings and Fun Kids in July.

[Eames]

I'll second the nod to YCCA (Young Children's Center for the Arts).

They are located in the carriage house behind and on the grounds of Old Swede's Church. Drop off and pick up are easy. The teachers are long term. They do music, movement (including yoga), skills and art everyday - and have different dedicated teachers for each subject.

The outside time is key as they do not have to leave the school and travel to parks - therefore they get at least 2 outside times per day - even the youngest of them.

Can you tell us what ages they accept at YCCA? Thanks.