The Little Red Wagon Preschool454

Choosing a preschool seems like it should be an easy enough decision - particularly if you are the type of parent who values preschools that aren't strictly academic but those that encourage play as a core tenant of learning. In our experience with Little Red Wagon there was a lack of cohesiveness among the teachers. Some seemed to be fabulous while others were less than concerned with the experience of the children and the parents (for example, talking about the parents or children in a way that was not constructive or even useful). That in particular makes this a very hard review to write, but let me say that in our daily lives, we both value institutions that work together to create the best practice possible and form a cohesive unit. So while there may be a few good teachers, the overall community of Little Red Wagon (not including the fabulous parents) seems to be one of unprofessionalism. It worries me writing this because I do know families who had great experiences with certain teachers at LRW (see the other reviews!), but for this review I'm approaching the school as a whole, not individual teachers. Little Red Wagon's website claims to integrate the best parts of Reggio-Emilia, Project Based, Montessori and High Scope curriculums, but what they fail to recognize is that you can't take and implement pieces of these curriculums because what that ends up doing is devaluing what these curriculums do really, really well. By breaking them apart, Little Red Wagon makes it appear as though by combining all of the best parts that they are creating a better program - but all that ends up happening is a hodge-podge of theories and words that sound good, but when put into practice don't actually do all that much. What they seem to be trying to say when they pull these theories apart is that they believe in play based education which, when done well, is arguably the most effective learning and teaching tool, but when done poorly and haphazardly is lazy. Outside of one of the rooms is a sign that says something like, "all children have gifts, some open their gifts before others." This sign is a disgrace. For example, as a parent, when I go to pick up my child and they show me a picture they painted and another student shows their dad a picture they painted and it is a more realistic painting (and therefore "better" for some), I read this poster and immediately feel like my child does not have that particular "gift." My child is three - it is not the time to start defining what gifts she has or doesn't - it is time for me to cultivate and nurture and develop based on the experiences that she has already had. Needless to say, this was not the school for us. Choosing a preschool is actually an important decision, much as we think its not. Studies show that preschool experiences can deeply impact lives. I think it's important to ask yourself what you, as parents value, and find a school that matches that. When teachers say "We value play based education," the very next question should be "How?" and if they say "We let children play and then they learn" the next question should be "And what is your role?" Teachers have a role in play based education, all of these curriculums value that, but that role is deeply defined by these curriculums, and so if you're going to claim to take those curriculums on, you had better be certain of your role. For us, we value teachers that actively construct knowledge with their students, use projects to engage deeply with materials and topics and provide a safe and caring environment. That may not be what you value and that's OK, it's good to value other types of learning and teaching, but it is best to choose a school that matches your values. Little Red Wagon, as a whole, did not for us.

We love the Little Red Wagon Preschool! My daughter has gone for 3 years and has loved it! She looks forward to going and her teachers have made learning exciting for her. When she comes home she's always excited to show us what she's done. We will miss the school and all the teachers next year!

My child was at the Little Red Wagon for two years (the first year they opened and this year 2007-08) and I can't say enough great things about the teachers and the program. Very creative teaching, great learning environment, nurturing and structured, and fun. My child loved this school and would have gone everyday if she could have. They gave my child the love of learning and growing and completely prepared her for a Pre-K class. It was just a wonderful experience all the way around.

We have loved everything about this school for our 2.5 year old son. The crafts, activities and community have been a great first school experience for him. All the the teachers seem great, but Miss Becky is especially fabulous.