New Morning School
14501 Haggerty Road
Plymouth, MI 48170
(734) 420-3331
http://www.newmorningschool.com

Overall rating by 1 member: 8-9

Class size: Limited to 12, with one teacher and two parent aides

Best thing about school: The preschool teacher is honestly the best early childhood educator I have ever seen. She's amazing with the kids, incorporates reading/writing/numerical concepts, and has a lovely gentle spirit. The format of the school is hands-on, child directed, and has tons of parent involvement.

Worst thing about school: the administration

Teacher qualifications: There is only one preschool teacher. She has a Master's degree in early education.

Typical daily routine: Children are called to circle. There is a circle time during which the kids do calendar work, weather, letter of the week, concepts, etc. Each child then gets a plan. The children write down what things they intend to accomplish that day. For the youngest, they draw a simple picture and tell a grown up what the picture represents. The older kids use a checkbox plan. After the plans are given to the teacher to check, the kids go wherever they want. Aides are encouraging the children to fulfill their plans. The kids proceed from Creative Play to the sand table to snack to ABC or 123 area in whatever order. (The older kids often have to complete an ABC or 123 activity before they can proceed.) At the end of the day, the teacher checks each child out with his/her plan and reviews what happened that day while an aide reads a story. The children go outside each day. They have Spanish and music in class.

Philosophy that informs curriculum: The philosophy is based largely on Piaget, a developmental psychologist who believed that children are largely concrete learners at this age who need lots of opportunity to manipulate objects in a hands-on fashion in order to learn.

Opportunities for parent involvement: New Morning School is a co-op (although you can pay full cost for no co-op requirements). The involvement is high. You either opt to aide in the classroom or clean on the weekends.

Discipline: Discipline using involves gentle redirection. The structure of the classroom and curriculum means very little discipline problems or needs.

Building and play space information: New Morning School houses kids pre-K to grade 8. The preschool space is a large open room with a semi-enclosed circle area and snack area. The outdoor playground is large and has a great playhouse, playground and other toys.