The greater Cleveland/Akron area offers many options when it comes to preschools and daycares. Check out the following programs to find the right fit for your child — and family.
ACCEL SCHOOLS
ACCEL Schools is expanding its premier Early Learning program to Montessori locations in Solon, Strongsville, and Westlake. Similar to Parma Academy, the brand new premier schools are tuition-free and serve kindergarten through 2nd grade. Visit accelschools.com/our-schools to find a school near you.
CLEVELAND MONTESSORI SCHOOL
Cleveland Montessori has been serving the Little Italy and Greater Cleveland Community for over 25 years, providing an education for life, that celebrates diversity, growth and joy. Students from preschool through 8th grade are met with respect and compassion as they strive to meet their individual potential in beautifully prepared classrooms that offer social, emotional and academic experiences in a unique urban setting. Apply now for 2022-23. 216-421-0700, [email protected], clevelandmontessori.org
COMMUNION OF SAINTS PRESCHOOL
Communion of Saints Preschool provides a welcoming, caring, and safe environment. Students enjoy fun, hands-on educational activities while following Diocesan standards and guidelines. Well-trained college-degreed professional teachers guide experiences which enable your child to grow spiritually, socially, emotionally, intellectually, and physically. Children experience large group, small group, and individual learning experiences in mathematics, language arts, science, religion, art, music and dramatic play through a variety of learning centers. Social and gross motor skills are enhanced on the preschool playground and indoor large muscle room. communionofsaintsschool.org
Fit by Five
They love getting children ready for Kindergarten. It’s our mission! At Fit by Five, academics and school readiness skills are presented through group activities, relays, concept obstacles, table time & station time. It’s the most all-inclusive-curriculum you’ll find in the area. And they have a lot of fast-paced fun. You will also find plenty of pre-math concepts, numbers and letters, colors and associations, and reading readiness. Visit Cuyahoga County’s most popular family-owned preschool, since 1969. 440-835-8558, fitbyfive.com
HANNA PERKINS SCHOOL
Hanna Perkins School is a play-based preschool and kindergarten focused on healthy social-emotional development for success in school and life. It’s the right school for kids who need a little extra, and parents who could use some extra support. In a nurturing environment of trust and mutual respect, children receive excellent academic fundamentals while developing the emotional foundation for lifelong learning and good relationships. For more than 70 years, the school’s approach has been used to train educators across Northeast Ohio. hannaperkins.org
HAWKEN SCHOOL
Hawken School, a coed toddler – 12 day school, offers an Early Childhood program on its Lyndhurst campus. With a dual commitment to academic and social curricula, its nationally recognized programming puts students at the center of learning by focusing on language development, science inquiry, math awareness, creative arts exploration, and social and emotional growth. For more information, visit hawken.edu.
LAKE ERIE NATURE & SCIENCE CENTER
As one of the first and largest nature-based preschool programs in the region, Lake Erie Nature & Science Center serves children ages 1 to 6 with age-appropriate activities to support social, physical and academic development. Children explore the wonders of science and nature with hands-on activities, crafts, music, live animal encounters, and planetarium shows. The surrounding 100-acre parkland and access to Lake Erie serve as an extended classroom for outdoor adventures. Learn more at lensc.org/preschool-programs
LAUREL SCHOOL
Laurel School’s Pre-Primary school educates girls and boys ages 18 months to 5 years. The cognitively rich and play-based curriculum fosters creativity while laying a foundation for academic success. Students are focused on developing skills, nurturing talents, building confidence and cultivating each child in small classes. Open House on April 9 from 9 a.m.-noon for age 18 months through 12th grade. 1 Lyman Circle, Shaker Hts., 216-464-0946, laurelschool.org
MONTESSORI SCHOOL OF UNIVERSITY HEIGHTS
Montessori School of University Heights, established in 1968, is a pre-primary school dedicated to helping each child become the unique person his/her creator intended in a Christian atmosphere of peace, love and respect. Children enter at age 3 and remain through their kindergarten year. The Montessori approach involves: providing comprehensive, individualized opportunities for growth; engaging children in a caring, supportive community; and developing concentration, independence, self-discipline, compassion, confidence, and joy in learning. 216-381-8388, ms-uh.org
THE NEST SCHOOLS
The Nest Schools believe involving children in hands-on experiences is the true definition of teaching. Each day, they’re re-imagining learning through creative play opportunities where they encourage children to wonder, question, work with their peers, and experiment with different possibilities. Each element of their Nest Play curriculum shares one goal: to help children love to learn. The Nest Schools’ preschool program will prepare children for the Kindergarten Readiness Assessment (KRA). thenestschool.com
ST. BARNABAS CATHOLIC SCHOOL
St. Barnabas Catholic School is a National Blue Ribbon School of excellence ranging from preschool through 8th grade. Their preschool and full-day prekindergarten provides many options for ages 3, 4 and 5. They offer before and after care in their early learning center as well as summer childcare for enrolled students. The school is dedicated to the spiritual, academic, emotional, physical and emotional development of students. Apply today for the 2022-2023 school year. 330-467-7921, sbcatholicschool.com
SAINT JOSEPH PARISH’S EARLY CHILDHOOD LEARNING CENTER
Located in Cuyahoga Falls, Saint Joseph Parish’s Early Childhood Learning Center creates a safe and nurturing learning experience for students in preschool through kindergarten. In addition to the standard curriculum, students have weekly classes in music, art, Spanish, P.E., and religion. Students spend time with iPads in the technology center and have a makerspace for hands-on experience with the concepts learned in class. Full-day and half-day programs are available. 330-928-2151, saintjoe.org/preschool
ST. THOMAS MORE
St. Thomas More is sensitive to each child’s social, emotional, intellectual, and physical needs. Each child’s unique development growth is nurtured through age-appropriate activities that emphasize a hands-on learning process. Through exploration, the child discovers God in the world around him or her. Their program is designed to develop in children a sense of independence and responsibility. They encourage not just learning, but also the love of learning. St. Thomas More offers part-time, full-time, and extended-day programs for ages 3 to 5. 216-749-1660, [email protected]
URBAN COMMUNITY SCHOOL
Urban Community School (UCS) strives to break social and economic barriers to success for Cleveland’s Near West Side children by providing an individualized, innovative, and challenging education. Rooted in the Ursuline Sisters’ tradition of faith, character, and educational excellence, UCS engages their faculty, families, and community partners in the successful whole-child development of their students. urbancommunityschool.org
