Cobble Hill Playschool

- Carroll Gardens
93 Rapelye Street, Brooklyn 11231, NY
See Map | Get Directions - www.cobblehillplayschool.com
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Description
Cobble Hill Playschool is an NAEYC-accredited, child-centered, play-based preschool that has served Brooklyn families for over 40 years. Our cooperative structure creates a wonderful community of families, encourages meaningful parent involvement, and affords an incredible ratio of 1 adult for every 4 children. In our mixed-aged classroom, two-, three- and four-year old children work side by side, learning from one another and encouraging each other. Masters-level teachers and art professionals comprise our experienced faculty. At CHP, our goal is to develop the child as thinker – confident, curious, and ready to take on the world.
Reviews (13)
Review from the Fall 2024 Early Education Survey
Review: I wish our kids could stay at Cobble Hill Playschool forever! We truly love it. The staff are fantastic, nurturing and really get to know each child. This is made possible partially because there's a very high staff to student ratio. CHP follows Reggio Emilia emergent curriculum that focuses on the areas children are interested in, and it's led the classes to do amazing projects. Additionally, the parent community is wonderful and engaged in making the school a great place. We've made so many friends.; Amenities: Has after-school options; What would you change? CHP is in an open space, divided into classrooms by space dividers. I wish there were proper walls dividing the space.2's programs?
If anyone is in Carroll Gardens, we LOVE cobble hill playschool. My daughter went there and my son will be there in September. The director Kristin is amazing and the teachers have been fabulous. It's very community oriented, and both my daughter and I have been lucky to make great friends through the school.Review from the Spring 2022 Early Childhood Education Survey
Location: Carroll Gardens Type of facility: Preschool Review: The school is warm, inviting, and creates a real community with the families who attend. Our child started as a very shy kid with very few spoken words. Now, our child sings songs, is very social, and is ablevto communicate so much more than before. There are amazing teachers and programs at the school. It's a gem. What would you change about the program, if anything? Wish there was more natural light. Is there anything you would like to add about how the school is handling the pandemic? The school did require masks for most of the school year and testing. It took precautions and put different protocols into place. Communication is a strong suit of the school.Review from the Spring 2022 Early Childhood Education Survey
Location: Carroll Gardens (Woodhall & Hicks) Type of facility: Preschool Review: Cobble Hill Playschool is a play-based preschool, following a child-led curriculum where the interests of the children often determine what they're exploring in the classroom. The school is also a cooperative, so parents are involved in many elements of the school, leading to an engaged community. Kristin, the Director, and all of the staff are phenomenal and one of the reasons I love the school so much. In addition to supporting and reinforcing important life & academic skills in the classroom, they are also extremely responsive to parent concerns. If I sent an email with an inquiry or concern, I'd usually receive a detailed, multi-paragraph response by the evening. I truly feel like they equipped me to be a better parent. Importantly, my daughter also made great friends at the school. She had a great time there each day and talked excitedly about all that had transpired over the day. Is there anything you would like to add about how the school is handling the pandemic? Kristin, the Director, is a world class communicator. She also is great at listening to the diverse perspectives of the parents at the school, making measured decisions, and communicating them in an inclusive way. This has been vital during the pandemic.Review from the Fall 2021 Early Childhood Education Survey
Type of facility: Preschool Review: We can't say enough good things about Cobble Hill Playschool. Our child started their 3s program as his first entry into any school/daycare setting, and the adjustment has been super smooth, which I credit a lot to CHP. They are exceedingly warm, thoughtful, and kind in their interactions with the children and their families, and work hard to create a strong sense of community. The school is play-based and child-directed, which means the children drive a lot of the activities in the classroom, and I think our child really thrives in this setting. He loves all of the different activities, toys, and materials in the classroom, as well as the daily visit to the local playground (next door). We are so happy with our choice of preschools, and would send our child there again in a heartbeat (and are sending them next year for the 4s)! What amenities does the facility provide? Has outdoor space Is there anything you would like to add about how the school handled the pandemic? CHP handles the pandemic very well. After being pretty cautious and isolated for the 1.5 years before starting at CHP, I feel very safe sending my child each day. All teachers are vaccinated, and all teachers and students wear masks, improved ventilation, hand washing, testing available, etc. They are also very good with communication and transparency!Review from the 2018/2019 PSP Daycare, Preschool, PreK, Kindergarten Survey
The program is a play-based curriculum for 2, 3 and 4 year old children. The three age groups have opportunities throughout the day to have structured class time altogether (which helps to foster mentor/mentee relationships and grow confidence), as well as apart (drama, math centers, etc are geared towards the older kids). Both our kids have been there as 2, 3 and 4 year olds, for half day and full, and love it. The program helped them to become curious, independent and very well socialized kids, and prepared them so well for Kindergarten and beyond. They love the teachers, school and the fact that there is always a parent in the classroom. It has helped their relationships with families strengthen, and I believe reinforces that grown ups care for them, love them, and help them to grow. About the facility: Has afterschool options, Has early morning hours, Next year the school will have early morning, afterschool options. There is a playground next door they go to several times per day. Fresh, healthy snacks are provided in each session as well. What would you change? The changes I would suggest are already being implemented for next year (more morning options for 2 year olds, early morning and after school options). The program is a co-op, and therefore requires parent participation in the classroom several times per year (parent duty days, which the kids adore), as well as serve on a committee each year. There is a buy-out option of the committee duties, but the school really relies on parent involvement in order to keep the costs relatively low for such a low student/teacher ratio. If this is not of interest or too much of a time commitment (appx 20-30 hours per year, more or less depending on how involved you want to be), it might not be the best program for your family.Review from the 2018/2019 PSP Daycare, Preschool, PreK, Kindergarten Survey
We have absolutely loved CHP. I sent my oldest son there in 2014, and my younger son joined him there in 2015. Both of my (very different) boys flourished there, and that is entirely due to the amazing teachers and administration. They are so incredibly responsive to kids—really listening to them and developing curriculum to respond to subjects the kids are interested in. I think this makes the students at CHP feel incredibly heard and in turn creates these confident and happy kids. CHP is a co-op and therefore each parent has a job outside of the school and a few duty days when you are there to help greet the kids, serve snacks, etc. The kids LOVE being the duty kids, and as a parent, it’s really special to have the opportunity to see your kids in their natural habitat-- to understand what it is they do each day and spend some time with their teachers. Now that my son is in kindergarten and I don’t have that time in his class, I’m realizing more and more how special CHP is. About the facility: Has afterschool options, Has early morning hoursReview from the 2018/2019 PSP Daycare, Preschool, PreK, Kindergarten Survey
He loves it. Feels very comfortable there. The teachers all act in a gentle and caring way. About the facility: Has afterschool options, Has early morning hoursReview from the 2018/2019 PSP Daycare, Preschool, PreK, Kindergarten Survey
We ADORE this school. There's so much respect for the children, and such a sense of belonging. It's warm, welcoming, thoughtful and child-led — all such great qualities of a preschool. My son blossomed at this school over the three years he attended. He's so curious and loves asking questions about the world. This school really fosters a love of learning. We couldn't be more grateful. About the facility: Has a lovely public playground right next door. What would you change? The basement location seemed like a bummer at first, but it actually ended up being bright and airy. And so, so cozy in the winter. It wasn't an issue at all!Review from the 2018/2019 PSP Daycare, Preschool, PreK, Kindergarten Survey
Excellent program, couldn't be happier. My daughter thrives at CHP through wonderful relationships with her attentive, thoughtful, bright & engaging teachers. About the facility: Has outdoor spaceReview from 2013 Daycare/Preschool PSP Survey
Review date June 2013 (for 2012-2013 year) Program: Length of time: 3 days/week Child's age: 4-5 years Review: This is my family's fifth and final year at Cobble Hill Playschool. I can say only amazing things about this school. It's a child-led, play-based preschool program that is in the model of an old-fashioned (yet forward thinking!) school. The director of the school is a dedicated professional that has put together an incredible staff full of smart, caring teachers. It's an open classroom with mixed ages that offers decent flexibility for it's schedules. It's also a cooperative which means I have worked side by side with the families in the school to support operations -- and made friends that continue past preschool for the whole family. I would highly recommend it as one of the best early childhood education programs in all of New York City -- and I am not the only one (it was named in the top ten in the NY Observer!). Do you recommend? (Hi/Rec/DoNot) Highly recommendReview from 2013 Daycare/Preschool PSP Survey
Review date June 2013 (for 2012-2013 year) Program: 4s Length of time: 5 days/wk Child's age: 4-5 years Review: This is our third year at CHP and we have loved it. The teachers are very engaged with each individual child. I felt my son was encouraged to try new things, and that the art projects, in particular, were extremely creative and ambitious. When my son had problems with other children I was told immediately, and discipline was gentle but firm. We received written reports on progress in different developmental areas, with personal notes from teachers. Do you recommend? (Hi/Rec/DoNot) Highly recommendReview from 2013 Daycare/Preschool PSP Survey
Review date June 2013 (for 2012-2013 year) Program: 3's Program Length of time: MWF mornings 9-12 Child's age: 3-4 years Review: The skill and energy of the teachers is amazing. My son was having a hard time transitioning and there was always a teacher available to give him as much one-on-one attention as he needed. The director even personally called me at work to tell me that he had made a friend and was laughing and having a great time. Within weeks my son learned to love school and couldn't wait to get there. He even wanted to go on the weekends. The school follows the Reggio Emilia philosophy, and incorporates art, science, drama, writing, reading, and many other skills. We receive feedback via a 'report card' twice a year, but the director's door is always open and there is always a teacher available at pick-up to discuss any concerns or questions you may have. Do you recommend? (Hi/Rec/DoNot) Highly recommend