Why Ivybrook Academy Is Different: The Preschool Approach That Goes Beyond Daycare

For many parents, choosing an early childhood program can feel overwhelming. Daycares, church programs, and traditional preschools each have their own merits, but finding the right fit for your child is about much more than convenience or location. You want a place that not only cares for your child but inspires them — a place that nurtures curiosity, builds confidence, and helps them fall in love with learning from the very start. There are several ways we explain why Ivybrook Academy is different.

At Ivybrook Academy, we blend the best of the Montessori and Reggio Emilia approaches in a half-day program designed to honor the individual child. Our classrooms are places where ideas grow, questions are encouraged, and learning feels like an adventure.

The Difference Is in the Approach

Many early childhood programs focus on structured lessons and group instruction that follow a set curriculum. While routine is important, research shows that child-centered, play-based learning supports deeper understanding and long-term academic success (NAEYC).

Ivybrook’s blended approach takes the best elements from Montessori — fostering independence, self-direction, and respect for a child’s pace — and combines them with the Reggio Emilia philosophy, which values collaboration, creativity, and exploration. This means your child learns not just what to think, but how to think.

Learn more about our curriculum →

Beyond Daycare: A Foundation for Lifelong Learning

While daycares provide essential care, Ivybrook’s model focuses on intentional education during the hours when children are most alert and ready to learn. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, high-quality early education programs can have a lasting positive impact on cognitive and social development (AAP).

By creating an environment where children explore at their own pace, our students develop:

• Confidence to try new things

• Critical thinking skills through project-based learning

• Social-emotional awareness from collaborative activities

• A love of learning that extends far beyond preschool years

Explore our preschool program →

A Day in the Life at Ivybrook

Every day at Ivybrook is built around purposeful exploration. Mornings might begin with nature-based learning, where children investigate seasonal changes in a campus garden. In another corner of the classroom, students may be working together to design a block structure that tells a story. Teachers guide, but children lead — asking questions, experimenting, and building understanding through discovery.

Our multi-age classrooms encourage younger children to learn from older peers, while older children develop leadership skills. This natural, community-driven learning environment mirrors the way children grow and learn outside of school.

Partnering with Parents

We believe that learning doesn’t stop when the school day ends. Ivybrook’s half-day schedule allows families to extend the day’s lessons at home — whether through creative play, visits to the library, or simple conversations about what sparked their child’s curiosity.

This collaboration between school and family is part of why our graduates often transition into kindergarten with advanced skills and a strong sense of self. See how parents describe their Ivybrook experience →

Choosing More Than a Program — Choosing a Philosophy

When you choose Ivybrook Academy, you’re choosing an approach that values each child as an individual. You’re choosing mornings filled with exploration, afternoons that allow for rest and family connection, and a community that celebrates your child’s unique potential.

If you’re ready to give your child a foundation that goes far beyond the basics, we invite you to experience Ivybrook for yourself.

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