(December 2, 2023, 2:21 am)
If we hadn't moved I would have sent my son here. My entire review is based on the tour and the tremendous warmth and welcoming spirit of the school director, Rachel Kornfeld.
Things I noticed that I liked:
Connection to Nature: Students get time to play in the enclosed area but there's also room for exploration. On the tour I could see all of the students rocks and leaves they'd collected from outside, all of their little treasures proudly on display. Their rain boots and gear were muddy and ready to roll. We sent my daughter to another school in the area that said there would be lots of time outside in nature not just time on the playground, but time exploring, but it never happened. It seems that time in nature does happen at Hunterdon Preschool of the Arts and OFTEN!
Design: So much light in the classrooms. Even when students are in class nature and outside is visible and so close. So much thought has gone into their new building. Even tiny toilets, adorable and great for little ones who might be a little scared of adult sized bathrooms.
Curriculum: Learning through play and exploration. Especially for pre-school aged children, so much of their learning is through play and experience.
Community: I could tell that the community was an extremely important part of the school. There was a parents lounge creating opportunity to meet other parents and families but also to really become a part of the school.
We ended up choosing our current school because the director gave off similar vibes to Rachel. She and the school made a tremendous impression. If you're looking for a school consider taking a tour to see if it's a fit for your family.