Welcome to the Iowa City Moms Blog Preschool Guide 2017! Searching for the right place for your child to learn and grow can be overwhelming, so we are here to help. There are an abundance of preschools, child care centers, and in-home programs to choose from in our area, but we hope this guide will provide you with the information you need to find the best fit for your family.
OUR REDEEMER PRESCHOOL
Ages:
Hours of Operation:
Extended hours if needed; contact Director
Enrollment Info:
Mon/Wed/Fri 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Tues/Thurs 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
5 Days 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
- Preschool starts after Labor Day and ends before Memorial Day
- Extended Care Options Available; Contact Director [email protected]
- Discounts available for Our Redeemer members and for families with multiple students enrolled.
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, Our Redeemer Preschool is a non-profit organization administered by a Board of Directors who have a passion for children. Our Redeemer Preschool desires to nurture our children with Christ as the center of their lives. Our philosophy is to provide a Christ-centered atmosphere that allows children to observe, make choices, be active, explore, and experiment.
Our Mission
- To introduce and reinforce the basic Christian truths about God—who made and cares for us, and Jesus—who always loves and forgives us.
- To encourage each child to grow physically, academically, socially, and spiritually.
- To give ample opportunities for independent, self-initiated activities, as well as opportunities for peer interaction and cooperation.
- To promote learning through play—One in Christ Curriculum is used. Teachers engage students where they are developmentally and help them grow.
WILLOWWIND SCHOOL
Ages:
Hours of Operation:
School Office 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Part-time preschool 8:30 – 11:30 a.m.
Full-time preschool 8:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.
Before and After School Program 7:30 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Enrollment Info:
Willowwind is a mission driven school which focuses on the teaching of appreciation and respect for other cultures, religious and ethnic backgrounds, and for the natural world. The goal of Willowwind’s Montessori preschool program is to teach the child as a whole, equally guiding the physical, social, emotional, and intellectual growth of each student. Certified Montessori teachers lead students in the curricular areas of: practical life, sensorial experience, language, mathematics, global village, and humanities. In addition to these areas, specialized teachers also instruct our preschool students in art, music and Spanish. We offer both full-time and part-time options for preschool aged learners.
LION HEART EARLY LEARNING CENTER
Ages:
Hours of Operation:
Enrollment Info:
Lionheart is a friendly environment. We all love working with children. All of our staff have their 1st Aid/CPR. All of our staff are working towards their CDA if they already do not have a degree in Early Childhood. We transport to multiple different school’s in Iowa City. Lionheart is working towards having our accreditation certificate. We are QRS level 5.
MONTESSORI CHILDREN'S GARDEN
Ages:
Hours of Operation:
Enrollment Info:
We are a Montessori preschool offering full and half day options for children ages 3-6. We offer activities in the areas of math, language, practical life, sensorial, science, geography, art, and weekly music and Spanish classes. Classes are led by fully certified and experienced Montessori teachers.
STEPPING STONES PRESCHOOL
Ages:
Hours of Operation:
Mon/Wed/Fri 8:30 – 12:30 a.m.
Enrollment Info:
Stepping Stones is a non-religiously affiliated, licensed, co-operative preschool with licensed Early Childhood instructors. We partner with the ICCSD and have options that include a M/W/F program for 4 and 5- year olds and a Tue/Thu program for 3- year olds. Experience high-quality, yet affordable preschool education with an emphasis on kindergarten readiness, parent involvement and development of the whole child!
PARKVIEW CHRISTIAN PRESCHOOL
Ages:
Hours of Operation:
MWF Pre-K 9:00 – 12:00
MWF Extended Day program 12:00 – 1:00 for an extra fee
Enrollment Info:
Preschool children are guided to discover the world around them and learn through hands-on experiences. They are encouraged to follow directions, show consideration, and develop skills at their own rate in a developmentally appropriate way. Through play, each child will develop physically, socially, intellectually, and emotionally. The morning includes opening, centers, story time, Bible story, music, snack, and recess. During centers, children have the opportunity to choose writing, reading, math and fine motor activities. They can also play at the light table, drama center, sensory table and with many other toys. Through art, each child is encouraged to be creative and manipulate materials. Spiritually, each child is encouraged to love God, pray to Him with thankfulness, and develop a positive pattern of living. The school maintains a delicate balance between formal and informal activities. The total morning’s program is planned to provide a rhythm of active and calm periods to meet the physical, social and emotional needs of the children.
CHRIST THE KING CHRISTIAN PRESCHOOL
Ages:
Hours of Operation:
Enrollment Info:
Beginnings to Last a Lifetime! Educational, physical, social, and spiritual enrichment since 1977. Christian-based, but open and welcoming to all faiths.
MONTESSORI SCHOOL OF IOWA CITY
Ages:
Primary program: ages 3-6
Elementary program: ages 6-12
Hours of Operation:
Half-Day Primary Program (3-6 years of age) 8:30 a.m. – 11:25 a.m.
Full-Day Primary and Pre-Primary Program 8:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.
Before and After-school Program 7:30 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.
Enrollment Info:
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. The Montessori School of Iowa City was founded in 1962 by a group of parents seeking a Montessori-based educational program for their children. The Montessori method of education was developed by Dr. Maria Montessori, Italy’s first female physician. 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 American Montessori Society. 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.
HERITAGE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL
Ages:
Hours of Operation:
Enrollment Info:
Heritage Christian School offers two options for parents looking for pre-kindergarten: 3 days a week or 5 days a week. Both are designed to make the most of each day as we seek to instill a love of learning in our students. Heritage Christian School commits to partner with parents by providing an academically excellent and biblically integrated education.
CORRIDOR CHRISTIAN EARLY LEARNING CENTER
Ages:
Hours of Operation:
Enrollment Info:
Corridor Christian is a non-denominational center that prides itself on enriching the lives of little hearts. While we have a strong curriculum (Creative Curriculum), and follow guidelines consistent with Iowa City Community School District, we want children to have fun while they are learning through dramatic play, problem solving, meaningful centers, and chapel time. Our preschool classroom offers lower teacher-to-student ratios than are required, this allows our teachers the ability to give each child the attention they need in order to succeed in kindergarten.
Other Reader-Recommended Preschools
Iowa City
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
University Preschool
Willowwind School
Coralville
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
Nolte Performing Arts Preschool
Prince of Peace Christian Preschool
Simple Abundance
North Liberty
Creation Kids Preschool (North Liberty location)
Heritage Christian School
Montessori Children’s Garden
North Liberty Community Preschool
Purple Bloom Preschool
Tiffin
Cosgrove
Solon
Lakeview Preschool
Play & Learn Preschool
Swisher
West Branch
West Branch Community Early Learning Center
Multiple Locations
Head Start through HACAP