Ivybrook Academy Cary

We hope to see you all for this fun "back to school" event! Drop in anytime between 10:30 and 12:00 for a popsicle and to say hello!

📅 Save the Date! The excitement is building, and we can't wait to welcome our families for an incredible school year at Ivybrook Academy!

Be sure to mark these important dates on your calendar so your family is prepared for a smooth and joyful start to preschool.

At Ivybrook Academy, we believe that strong partnerships with families create confident learners. From Family Orientation to Staggered Entry Week and the First Day of School, every step is thoughtfully designed to help children transition into the school year with confidence and excitement.

We are so excited to begin our NINTH school year of play-based learning, hands-on exploration, and meaningful learning experiences inspired by each child's natural curiosity.

At 18 months old, the true work of preschool is entirely hands-on.

When you peek into our youngest classrooms at Ivybrook Academy, you will see toddlers actively engaged in the profound work of sensory and physical discovery. Daily activities include:

‣ Building Fine Motor Control: Carefully pouring water between containers.

‣ Fostering Independence: Learning the necessary steps to put on their own shoes.

‣ Exploring Cause and Effect: Discovering how different materials and tools create different marks.

These moments of practical independence are not just play. They are the essential, physical foundations for every later academic skill, from early handwriting to mathematical reasoning.

Discovery enrichment is built into every Ivybrook Academy day.

Every child experiences:

‣ Spanish: early exposure during the language-acquisition window

‣ Music: building rhythm, listening, and the foundations of literacy

‣ Movement: gross motor work that supports focus, regulation, and academic learning

‣ Art: open-ended creative expression using real materials

‣ Literacy: small-group, leveled, individualized to each child

Discovery enrichment is not an add-on. It's how a complete early childhood education is supposed to work.

When we talk about preschool readiness, we almost always focus on the child. But the reality is, preschool readiness is just as much about the parent.

Most families underestimate how big a shift this is. It is entirely normal to feel hesitant about the transition.

You will know you are ready when you have processed that the first few drop-offs might be hard, but you are willing to navigate them.

You're ready when you can trust your child to have experiences you won't witness, when you are clear about the growth you want to see in them, and when you are finally ready to receive a child at pickup who is full of stories from their own day.

If you're still unsure, touring a campus is one of the best ways to find clarity. Seeing a classroom in action teaches you as much about yourself as it does about the school.

What does a blended Montessori and Reggio Emilia curriculum actually look like?

Montessori builds independence. Children choose their own work from carefully prepared materials. They develop focus, fine motor skills, and self-direction at their own pace.

Reggio Emilia builds collaboration. Children investigate ideas together through long-term projects, creative expression, and an environment designed to inspire curiosity.

At Ivybrook Academy, we blend both, along with Howard Gardner's Theory of Multiple Intelligences, to create an individualized curriculum that meets each child where they are.

The result is a child who can work independently and collaboratively, think creatively and critically, and approach kindergarten with confidence.

✨ Afternoon Preschool Openings Now Available at Ivybrook Academy – Cary! ✨

Looking for a meaningful way to spend your 3-year-old's afternoons? Our nurturing, Reggio Emilia-inspired program is designed to spark curiosity, creativity, and confidence through hands-on learning, outdoor exploration, and purposeful play.

With small class sizes and a warm, engaging environment, every afternoon is filled with opportunities for children to discover, create, and grow.

Now enrolling for our afternoon 3-year-old class at our Cary campus! Availability is limited, so we encourage interested families to schedule a tour and experience the Ivybrook difference for themselves.

Contact us today to learn more or book your tour! We'd love to welcome your family!