Ivybrook Academy Five Forks

Is your child ready for preschool? Here is what readiness looks like.

Most parents focus on whether their child can sit still, follow directions perfectly, or separate without a single tear. While those milestones matter, they do not paint the full picture of early childhood development.

Here are a few true signs they may be ready:

‣ Interest in peers: They are beginning to show a genuine curiosity about other children.

‣ Basic communication: They can express their foundational needs through words, signs, or gestures.

‣ Emerging independence: They are starting to explore the world on their own terms, even in very small ways.

‣ Familiarity with rhythm: They have some experience following a daily routine, even a loose one at home.

If your child is not quite there yet, that is perfectly okay. Readiness is not a deadline. Every child arrives on their own unique timeline, and a thoughtful preschool environment is designed to meet them exactly where they are.

Join us Monday, August 10th! Drop in anytime between 9am-12pm to meet your child's teachers, explore your new classroom, and pick up your child's folder. We can't wait to see you! 💚

Preschool for toddlers at Ivybrook Academy looks like this.

For our youngest learners, the work of preschool is sensory and physical. They are pouring water between containers, learning to put on their own shoes, and discovering that one tool makes a mark different from another.

Every later academic skill, from handwriting to mathematical reasoning, starts here, with the hands.

Discovery enrichment is built into the fabric of every day.

We believe that a complete early childhood education requires consistent, daily exposure to a wide variety of disciplines. That's why our curriculum allows every child to experience:

‣ Spanish for early language acquisition.

‣ Music to build rhythm and literacy foundations.

‣ Movement to support focus and gross motor development.

‣ Art for open-ended, authentic creative expression.

‣ Literacy in individualized and small-group settings.

At Ivybrook, enrichment is the standard for how young children naturally learn, grow, and experience the world.

Preschool readiness is not just about your child. It is about you, too.

Most parents underestimate the emotional shift of this milestone. Sending a child to school for the first time is a major transition for the entire family.

Signs you are ready:

‣ You have processed that the first few drop-offs may be hard but your child will find their new routine
‣ You trust your child to have experiences you won't witness
‣ You are clear about what you want them to gain (not just supervised)
‣ You are excited to see your child at pickup, bubbling with excitement about their own day

Touring a preschool is one of the best ways to know if you're ready. You learn as much about yourself as you do 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.