Iowa City Area Preschool Guide 2017

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:

3-5 years (older than 3 and not started kindergarten)

Hours of Operation:

9:00 a.m. – Noon
Extended hours if needed; contact Director

Enrollment Info:

Our preschool sessions are:
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.

2301 East Court Street
Iowa City, IA 52245

319-338-3949

WILLOWWIND SCHOOL

Ages:

3-5 years (children should be fully toilet trained by start date) 

Hours of Operation:

Monday-Friday
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 accepts applications throughout the school year, enrolling students as space allows and placing families on a waiting list as necessary. Small class sizes are one of the many benefits at Willowwind. Preschool classrooms do not exceed student to teacher ratios of 11:1. 

 

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.

950 Dover St
Iowa City, IA 52245

319-338-6061

LION HEART EARLY LEARNING CENTER

Ages:

6 weeks – 10 years 

Hours of Operation:

6:30 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.

Enrollment Info:

Complete a registration card. $130 dollars registration and deposit. 

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.

2717 Northgate Drive
Iowa City, Ia 52245

319-337-8877

MONTESSORI CHILDREN'S GARDEN

Ages:

3-6

Hours of Operation:

7:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.

Enrollment Info:

There is a registration form with a $75 deposit. This places your name on our wait list for the upcoming summer or fall program. In February surveys are done to determine the number of openings and families will be notified at that time to fill out the necessary paperwork.

 

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.

 

20 Circle Drive
North Liberty, IA

319-665-9625

STEPPING STONES PRESCHOOL

Ages:

3-5 years

Hours of Operation:

Tues/Thurs 8:30 – 11:30 a.m. 
Mon/Wed/Fri 8:30 – 12:30 a.m.

Enrollment Info:

For more information, please visit our website or contact us at [email protected]

 

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!

3001 Muscatine Ave
Iowa City, IA 52240

319-338-8534

PARKVIEW CHRISTIAN PRESCHOOL

Ages:

3-5 years old

Hours of Operation:

T/Th Preschool 9:00 – 12:00
MWF Pre-K 9:00 – 12:00
MWF Extended Day program 12:00 – 1:00 for an extra fee

Enrollment Info:

Children must be three to five years old, toilet trained, and not yet enrolled in kindergarten. Prior to your child’s first day of attendance, we must have a physical form, immunization record, financial agreement, and a completed registration form on file. A deposit of one month of tuition must accompany your registration in order to reserve a place for your child. This payment is non-refundable but covers your last tuition payment. There is also a $25 non-refundable application fee due at this time.

 

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.

15 Foster Road
Iowa City, IA

319-354-5580

CHRIST THE KING CHRISTIAN PRESCHOOL

Ages:

3-5 year olds

Hours of Operation:

8:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m., Monday-Friday

Enrollment Info:

Families can choose 2, 3, or 5 mornings a week. Children must be toilet-trained. Low student-teacher ratios.

 

Beginnings to Last a Lifetime! Educational, physical, social, and spiritual enrichment since 1977. Christian-based, but open and welcoming to all faiths.

325 Mormon Trek Blvd
Iowa City

319-930-9988

MONTESSORI SCHOOL OF IOWA CITY

Ages:

Pre-Primary program: 2 years old
Primary program: ages 3-6
Elementary program: ages 6-12

Hours of Operation:

Monday – Friday
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:

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 he/she 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 observe the school as part of the decision-making process. The registration procedure places the child in a waiting pool for enrollment. Children entering the Primary program must be fully toilet trained. Discounts are available for multiple children from one family. Please ask for details. Class ratios are 10:1 for the Primary program and 6:1 for the Pre-Primary program.

 

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.

374 Holiday Road
Coralville, IA 52241

319-338-9650

HERITAGE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL

Ages:

At Heritage Christian School, pre-kindergarten students must be four years old before the start of the school year in which a parent desires enrollment.

Hours of Operation:

Heritage Christian School pre-kindergarten starts 8:30 a.m. and concludes at 1:30 p.m. If childcare is needed in addition to the program hours, Heritage Christian School offers a Before and After School Program that starts at 7:00 a.m. and closes at 5:30 p.m. each day. Multiple options within the Before and After School Program exist to support the different needs of our families.

Enrollment Info:

Each parent is encouraged to contact Heritage Christian School and set up a tour during which they will be provided enrollment paperwork. Tours with the Head of School offer an opportunity to ask pertinent questions and see, first hand, what Heritage has to offer.

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.

255 Hackberry Street
North Liberty, Iowa 52317

319-626-4777

CORRIDOR CHRISTIAN EARLY LEARNING CENTER

Ages:

4-5 year old preschool program

Hours of Operation:

6:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m., with part time options for curriculum only 8:30 – 2:30

Enrollment Info:

You can fill out an enrollment application via our website under the ‘enrollment’ tab, here.

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.

70 South Kansas Ave
North Liberty, IA 52317

319-665-5623

Other Reader-Recommended Preschools

Iowa City

Apple Tree Children’s Center

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

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

Nolte Performing Arts Preschool

Prince of Peace Christian Preschool

Simple Abundance

North Liberty

Corridor Christian Early Learning Center

Creation Kids Preschool (North Liberty location)

Heritage Christian School

Montessori Children’s Garden 

North Liberty Community Preschool

Purple Bloom Preschool

Tiffin

Graceland Preschool

Cosgrove

Prairie Green School

Solon

All Aboard Daycare/Preschool 

Lakeview Preschool 

Play & Learn Preschool

Swisher

All God’s Children Preschool

West Branch

Hoover Elementary Pre-K

West Branch Community Early Learning Center

Multiple Locations

ICCSD preschool programs 

Head Start through HACAP

Local mamas – Do you love your child's preschool?

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Lianna
Lianna is a homesteading mama of three: a sparkly seven-year-old daughter, a joyful five-year-old boy, and a confident three-year-old boy. After graduating from the University of Iowa’s college of education, she started Wondergarten Early Enrichment Home, a multi-age, play-based early childhood program. A self-proclaimed Queen Dabbler, she has a long list of hobbies (from gardening and canning to sewing and painting), and doesn’t mind being only mediocre at all of them. She lives with her husband, mother, three kiddos, dog, cat, rabbits, dwarf goats, and chickens on an acreage in the country. The Cornally family spends their time talking about education, learning how to grow and preserve their own food, and romping around in their woods.

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