Creative, active environment, fabulous teachers
My family loves this school. It has become part of our "village" raising our kids. I have gotten to know many of the teachers well, and talk to them each day. They have genuine affection for each child in their care, and can tell you all the funny things that happened during the day and progress that has been made. Their time there is valuable to me, because I know they are growing and learning in a positive environment.
My daughter (3) is in the Ladybugs class, and her teachers are loving and firm. In additon to having fun, she is learning conflict resolution, and self-discipline. They are helping her and all the kids in her class with potty training. She adores them and is happy to go to "school". I have trouble getting her to go home at the end of the day. My son is in the kindergarten class. The teacher is strict and kind, and is an amazing teacher. She has a wonderful system for teaching reading and writing, and the kids love and respect her. Many of them return to her for tutoring after they enter public school.
Happy Hollow is the opposite of the shiny, sterile, institutional setting of most daycare/preschools that I have seen. I chose it over the Goddard school for this reason, and have not been disappointed. They have two creative, ecclectic playgrounds and a garden where the kids grow vegetables. There is a kitchen where the cook makes healthy, yummy food for snacks and lunch and where the kids eat. She has been great about accommodating my kids' allergies. It feels very comfortable, like a home, but with all the safety regulations of a school.
The husband and wife directors of this school are professional, competent, and have many years of experience in child care. When they hire teachers, they are choosy, which is perhaps why there are some disgruntled people out there. If someone isn't able to maintain their standards, they keep looking. I am very happy with the direction they are taking the school and feel lucky to have found them.
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