Iowa City Preschool Guide 2022

preschool guide to the Iowa City area

Welcome to the Iowa City Moms Preschool Guide 2022! Searching for the right place for your child to learn and grow can be overwhelming, but we are here to help. There are an abundance of preschools, child care centers, and in-home programs to choose from in the Iowa City area. We hope this guide will provide you with the information you need to find the best fit for your family.

MONTESSORI SCHOOL OF IOWA CITY

Montessori School of Iowa City

Ages:

2-10 years old

Hours of Operation:

Monday–Friday

  • Half-Day Schedule (pre-primary classes and primary classes) 8:15 a.m.–11:15 a.m.
  • Full-Day Schedule (pre-primary classes and primary classes) 8:15 a.m.–3:15 p.m.
  • Elementary Classes 8 a.m. – 3 p.m. (before and after school available)
  • Before Program 7:30 a.m. –8:15 a.m.
  • After-school Program 3:15 p.m.–6 p.m.

COVID-19 Modifications:

The Montessori School of Iowa City’s COVID-19 safety policies is available online.

Enrollment Info:

A child can be registered to enroll in the Montessori School of Iowa City at any time before attending the school. The earlier a child is registered, the more likely they will secure a position. Registration requires a parent or guardian to complete a registration form and submit it with a non-refundable registration fee. Parents are encouraged to schedule a tour prior to registering. Children entering the Primary program must be fully toilet trained. Discounts are available for multiple children from one family.

The Montessori School of Iowa City is a non-sectarian, private independent school. We are a 501(c)(3) organization governed by a volunteer Board of Trustees. As one of the oldest Montessori schools on the continent, we celebrated our 50th birthday in 2012. We are an Associate School Member of the American Montessori Society.

The Montessori School of Iowa City’s mission is to provide authentic Montessori education that serves the child’s intrinsic motivation to learn and is inclusive, sustainable, and holistic. Fundamental to all of Dr. Montessori’s ideas is a deep respect for a child’s ability to learn. This innate potential to learn is dependent upon a loving environment that encourages the active pursuit of knowledge.

Classroom Lead teachers are certified by the Montessori Accreditation Council for Teacher Education. Each classroom has a lead teacher and an assistant teacher. All staff members are required to pass background checks and are trained in CPR and First Aid as required by DHS. We value excellence in teaching the whole child customized to each student’s intellectual, social, emotional, physical, and spiritual needs and abilities. In addition to an authentic Montessori prepared environment in each classroom, we also offer specialized instruction in Spanish and Music. Schedule a tour here to learn more

374 Holiday Road, Coralville, IA

OUR REDEEMER PRESCHOOL

Our Redeemer Preschool logo

Ages:

3-5 years old
  • Potty trained until they enter Kindergarten

Hours of Operation:

Monday – Friday
  • 9 a.m. – 12 p.m.
  • Extended care option from 7:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.

COVID-19 Modifications

All staff and children age 2-years-old and above are wearing masks.

Enrollment Info:

Our Redeemer Preschool offers a variety of options for families. Options and pricing are available on the 2022-2023 enrollment form.

Our Redeemer Preschool has been fulfilling the educational and spiritual needs of children in the Iowa City area since 1981. Licensed by the State of Iowa, this preschool is a non-profit organization administered by a Board of Directors who have a passion for children. Our Redeemer Preschool desires to nurture children with Christ as the center of their lives. The school’s philosophy is to provide a Christ-centered atmosphere that allows children to observe, make choices, be active, explore, and experiment.

PREUCIL PRESCHOOL

Ages:

Ages 3-5

Hours of Operation:

Monday – Friday

  • 9 a.m. – 12 p.m.
  • Extended day option until 3 p.m. coming fall 2022.

Classes:

  • Monday/Wednesday/Friday
  • Tuesday/Thursday
  • Monday-Friday

COVID-19 Modifications:

We take the health and safety of our children and staff seriously. Our protocols are based on CDC guidelines and recommendations from Johnson County Public Health. All teachers are vaccinated. Staff and children wear masks at all times. We have small class sizes. Classes are kept separate from each other and there are no shared spaces on any given day. Classrooms are professionally cleaned each day. We follow strict guidelines for exposure and illness quarantine. Please contact us for a full list of guidelines.

Enrollment Info:

Children must be 3 years of age and toilet trained. Registration is ongoing and takes place year-round. It is usually possible to make an offer to everyone on the list. It is beneficial to get your placement form/fee in early if you want a specific program (2, 3, or 5-days). Placement for fall begins in January/February.

We are a play-based fine arts preschool, inspired by the Reggio approach and the Suzuki Method. We focus on creativity, imagination, and exploration. Our goal is to help each child grow and learn in all areas of human experience as it fosters cooperation, caring, confidence, action, intellect, knowledge, beauty, and inherent motivation.

The Reggio Emilia schools were developed in Italy post-WWII by parents and educator Loris Malaguzzi. The schools have become world renown for their innovative methods and were named by Newsweek as one of the ten best schools in the world. Preucil embraces this approach in our arts-rich and engaging environment.

Children learn best through play and hands-on activities in which they are active participants. We approach learning in a spontaneous, playful manner. Project-based learning and emergent curriculum are interwoven to create a curriculum that values children’s ideas and promotes in-depth investigation of those ideas. Music and art are offered daily with trained teachers. In music, children work on basic musical skills and most importantly, experience the joy of music. Our art studio is available daily for children to explore—it is a haven for their creative risks and whimsy. Children explore the world and its natural phenomena in our spacious playground. Sand, mud, water, grass, logs, and stones are just a few of the natural materials that are accessible. Developing friendships and the important social skills of negotiation and compassion happens as we learn and play together.

Class sizes number between 16 and 19. Each class has a lead teacher and one or two aides, an available full-time art teacher and a daily music class taught by a music teacher. Preucil Preschool has been celebrating children’s interests, ideas, and curiosities since 1976.

CHRIST THE KING CHRISTIAN PRESCHOOL

Ages:

3-5 year olds

Hours of Operation:

Monday-Friday

  • 8:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.

COVID-19 Modifications

We take COVID-19 very seriously and follow recommended protocols. We maintain a high standard of cleaning and students and teachers wear masks. For detailed information, please contact the preschool and we can share our policy.

Enrollment Info:

Our preschool year begins in September and ends in May with registration for the fall beginning in February. We also accept applications throughout the school year as long as there are still openings. Students can be placed on a waiting list if the preschool classes are full. Families can choose 2, 3, or 5 mornings a week. Children must be toilet-trained. Registration forms can be found on our website, can be sent to prospective families, emailed to families, or picked up in person. We give tours with COVID-19 safety protocols in place.

Christ the King Christian Preschool is a well-established preschool that has been providing a positive learning environment for preschoolers for over 30 years. The school strives to lay the foundation for skills that will last a lifetime and provides a nurturing environment to further learning, social skills, and spiritual growth. This play-based program focuses not only on academic activities such as reading, science, arts, and music, but also places importance on teaching young children how to work well with others. The school maintains a low student/teacher ratio in order to better meet the needs of our students to allow for increased one-to-one interaction. Christ the King Christian Preschool is Christian-based but is open and welcoming to all faiths. To learn more about its program, call or email to set up a tour.

LITTLE ANGELS LEARNING CENTER

LITTLE ANGELS LEARNING CENTER logo

Ages:

6 weeks to 5 years old

Hours of Operation:

Monday–Friday

  • 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

COVID-19 Modifications:

We follow the Johnson County Public Health Department recommendations for COVID-19. All children and adults 2 years old and up must wear masks.

Enrollment Info:

You can find all the paperwork on our website, under “parents and handbooks.”

Little Angels Learning Center & Preschool believes that every child is entitled to safe, healthful, loving care, which strengthens family life. Children learn best by doing and being involved and a child’s growth and development are best achieved through individual attention, nurturing, and exposure to a diversity of resources, activities, and experiences. Little Angels is able to implement its philosophy by utilizing a curriculum that emphasizes developmentally appropriate learning activities and character education.

WILLOWWIND MONTESSORI PRESCHOOL

Ages:

3-5 years of age and fully potty trained at enrollment.

Hours of Operation:

Monday – Friday

  • Full-time Preschool M-F, 8:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m.
  • Part-time Preschool M-F, 8:30-11:30 a.m.
  • Before School Program M-F, 7:30-8:30 a.m.
  • After School Program M-F, 3:30-6:00 p.m.

COVID-19 Modifications:

All individuals are required to wear face masks as well as practice safe social distancing while on Willowwind’s campus. Students, faculty, staff must complete a health screening prior to arrival each day. View our Health & Safety guide.

Enrollment Info:

Willowwind uses a rolling admissions process, filling space as it is available. Families may opt to go on a waiting list when enrollment is full. Prospective families can expect to have a school tour and classroom visit as part of the enrollment process.

Willowwind’s Montessori Preschool offers an engaging educational experience based upon the teachings of Maria Montessori. The goal of Willowwind’s preschool program is to teach the whole child, equally guiding their physical, social, emotional, and intellectual growth. Students learn through observation, hands-on exploration, and modeling of peers and teachers.

Lead teachers are Montessori certified with backgrounds in early childhood education. Children are guided through the core Montessori curricular areas and are also engaged in specials classes like physical education, art, and music.

Willowwind’s Montessori Preschool is committed to helping each child discover their unique strengths and talents in a learning environment that embraces exploration and questioning. Willowwind School develops passionate and confident individuals who value empathy, independence, community, and responsibility.

We encourage families to investigate, explore, and enjoy the spirit of learning that takes place at Willowwind’s Montessori Preschool! Contact us to schedule your tour today. See you soon!

Other Reader-Recommended Preschools

Iowa City

Cadence Academy

Christ the King Christian Preschool

Discovery Cottage Preschool

Good Shepherd Preschool

Kinderfarm

Kirkwood School for Children

La Petite Academy

Lion Heart Early Learning Center

Mary Jo Small Child Care at Brookland Woods

Our Redeemer Preschool

Parkview Preschool

Preucil School of Music

Regina Early Childhood Center

Stepping Stones Preschool

Sunshine Daycare & Preschool

Treebrook Preschool

UIHC Childcare

Willowwind School

Coralville

Academy of Early Learning

Creation Kids Preschool (Coralville Location)

Grace Garden Preschool and BASP

Handicare Inc. Daycare Center

Helping Hands Playschool

Love-A-Lot Early Childhood Center

Montessori School of Iowa City

Prince of Peace Christian Preschool

Purple Bloom School

Simple Abundance

North Liberty

Corridor Christian Early Learning Center

Creation Kids Preschool (North Liberty location)

Education Station

Frog Hollow Kids Campus

Heritage Christian School

Montessori Children’s Garden

Tiffin

Graceland Preschool

Solon

All Aboard Daycare/Preschool

Lakeview Preschool

Play & Learn Preschool

Swisher/Shueyville

All God’s Children Preschool

The Good Earth

West Branch

Hoover Elementary Pre-K

West Branch Community Early Learning Center

Multiple Locations

ICCSD preschool programs

Head Start through HACAP

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Iowa City Moms Blog
At Iowa City Moms Blog we’re a group of local moms who are passionate about connecting other moms to one another and to our community! Whether you’re an experienced mom, a newbie, expecting, or aspiring to be a mom someday, this blog is for you! Join us as we navigate this journey that is motherhood in the Iowa City area!

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