Ivybrook Academy Sarasota

Walk into an Ivybrook Academy classroom, and you will notice something immediately: everything is within a child's reach.

Shelves are low. Materials are organized and accessible. Work areas are clearly defined, not by rules posted on a wall, but by the design of the space itself.

This is the prepared environment. When children can see their options, select their own work, and return materials independently, they develop the kind of self-direction that carries into every stage of learning.

At Ivybrook, the classroom is not just where learning happens. It is part of how children learn.

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.

A complete early childhood education requires more than just one way of learning. At Ivybrook Academy, our individualized curriculum is intentionally designed to blend the unique strengths of multiple proven philosophies.

What does this look like inside our classrooms?

‣ Building Independence: Through the Montessori method, children learn self-direction and focus by selecting their own tasks and mastering fine motor skills.

‣ Building Collaboration: Through the Reggio Emilia approach, children engage in group investigations and project-based learning that spark curiosity and peer communication.

‣ Honoring the Individual: Guided by Howard Gardner’s Theory of Multiple Intelligences, we ensure our teaching methods adapt to how your child learns best.

By bringing these philosophies together, we help children develop into critical thinkers who are equally comfortable working on their own and collaborating with their peers.

✨ Afternoon Preschool Openings Available at Ivybrook Academy – Sarasota! ✨
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 Sarasota 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!

Is your child ready for more? So often we hear from parents that their children are curious, excited to learn, and ready for more! If this describes your child, schedule your tour today!

Now enrolling for the 2026-2027 school year!
🎨Hands on, sensory-rich learning
🚀Innovative and nurturing environment
🐞Ages 2-5, half-day and dual-session options available
🌿VPK provider

Expand the possibilites for your child and explore Ivybrook today!

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.

🌱 Joy is the evidence of inner growth - Maria Montessori

The smile of accomplishment.
The smile of discovery.
The smile of confidence.
These smiles don’t happen by accident. They happen when children are given the time, space, and encouragement to explore the world around them.

At Ivybrook Academy, we believe childhood should be filled with wonder, discovery, and joy. Because when children love learning, amazing things happen.

💚 Now Enrolling
📚 Preschool ages 2-5, half-day and dual-session options available
🎓 VPK Provider
🌿 Montessori + Reggio Emilia Inspired

Limited spaces available in select programs. Schedule your tour today and experience the joy of learning.

✨ Now Enrolling!