Ivybrook Academy Highlands Ranch

When it comes to preschool readiness, many parents worry about their child's ability to sit still or separate without crying. But true readiness looks much different.

We look for foundational shifts in how a child interacts with their world. Your child may be ready to begin their educational journey if they:

Show an active interest in engaging with or observing other children.

Can communicate their basic needs through words or gestures.

Are beginning to explore small moments of independence.

Have experience with a simple daily routine or schedule.

Readiness is never a deadline. Every child reaches these milestones at their own pace, and our educators are here to support that beautiful, individual timeline.

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.

Montessori curriculum benefits that parents tend to notice first.

‣ Independence that looks like confidence

Children practice doing real tasks in a real classroom: choosing work, finishing it, and resetting their space. Over time, that becomes “I can do hard things.”

‣ Strong attention and follow-through

Montessori work cycles are designed to build sustained concentration, which is one reason families often describe Montessori classrooms as calm and purposeful.

‣ Hands-on learning that sticks

Montessori materials are intentionally tactile and sequential, helping children “feel” concepts before they’re asked to perform them abstractly.

At Ivybrook Academy, Montessori is one part of a blended curriculum that includes the Reggio Emilia approach, creating the foundation on which our students grow into capable, curious learners.

The Reggio Emilia approach starts with one belief: children are competent, capable, and curious learners.

This approach supports early childhood development through projects, collaboration, documentation, and a thoughtfully designed environment that deepens learning.

As part of our blended curriculum, Reggio looks like:

‣ Group projects that build collaboration, communication, and shared problem-solving

‣ Parent and community involvement woven into the learning experience

‣ Extensive documentation of the learning process, displayed at child-height and shared with families

When children are given the respect and space to explore their ideas, there is no limit to what they can discover.

Keep their routine going this summer! ☀️

Don't let the summer slide disrupt your child's focus, routines, and social confidence!

Our preschool summer camps are specifically designed for the developmental needs of children ages 2-6.

By blending the independence of Montessori with the collaborative discovery of Reggio Emilia, we keep young minds engaged all summer long.

Your child will enjoy hands-on STEAM learning, creative art, and joyful socialization, all while having fun!

Painter. Engineer. World traveler.

This summer, your preschooler gets to be all three!

At our summer camps, you can expect:

☀️ Weekly themes built around STEAM, literacy, global culture, and outdoor exploration to balance excitement with meaningful educational experiences.

☀️ Every lesson and activity is tailored to meet the developmental needs of each age group

☀️ Real friendships, real outdoor time, and a routine that prevents the summer slide

Summer is starting! Don't miss an unforgettable summer of discovery, creativity, and hands-on fun.

When parents think about kindergarten readiness, they often think about letters, numbers, and early literacy skills. While those skills certainly matter, research consistently shows that social-emotional development is equally predictive of long-term academic success.

At Ivybrook Academy, social-emotional learning is not a separate subject on the schedule. It's in everything we do. Group projects, collaborative play, and guided conflict resolution all give children daily practice in empathy, self-regulation, and communication.

By the time our students leave Ivybrook, they are academically and emotionally prepared for what comes next.