Friends of Crown Heights - Prospect Heights

Reviews (10)

• Review from the Fall 2024 Early Education Survey

  December 2024

  Review: My child was in PreK in class 6. There are 10 classes - two classes of 2-year-olds, and the rest are universal 3K and PreK classes. My child loves his teachers and classmates. He loathes being quiet for circle time. But other than that, he seems to be happy and engaged from the time we drop him off until we pick him up. They have early drop off available starting at 7:30 and late pickup until 6pm, for an additional very reasonable fee. It is the most full-coverage calendar of any preschool I have seen. They are open sometimes on DOE holidays. They have a rooftop playground that was closed for part of the year due to a construction project right next door, but it is reopened now. They also sometimes go outside to use chalk on the sidewalks out front or go for a walk around the block. When weather is bad, they play in the "multipurpose room" or kick balls around the big hallway with other classmates. The teachers and principals really know and love the kids, and take great care of them. We have a "parent engagement notebook" with very short homework assignments (like, 15 minutes per week) that I think are really to show off how much the kids are learning and give them an opportunity to show off their ability to write letters and numbers and draw. Now that I'm applying for kindergarten, I have moments of second guessing whether it would have been a better strategic decision to send my child to the preK of the public school where I want him to get into kindergarten. That said, he has been happy and the school is near our home and the schedule is very easy for our family so I think we would send him there again if given the chance.; Amenities: Has outdoor space, Has after-school options, Has early morning hours, Provides meals; What would you change? They go outside less than I would like, but it may be because not all the kids have good cold-weather clothing.

• Re: 3Ks in Crown Heights

  November 2024

  My younger son currently attends 3-K at Friends of Crown Heights on Sterling. So far it seems good - small classes, and we can communicate directly with the teachers, which I always prefer. They're a little old school in terms of communication in general - like sending home hard copy letters instead of emails. They do use an app, but so far it doesn't seem that helpful.

• Review from the Spring 2024 Early Education Survey

  May 2024

  REVIEW: We enjoyed our time here. The teachers and faculty were all very sweet to our son. He grew so much socially and verbally in the last nine months. I’m really proud of him, and this school environment encouraged his growth.; Amenities: Has after-school options, Provides meals; What would you change? There was no attempt to build community among parents. The school abuts a large construction site which has rendered their rooftop playground unusable. I wish they’d had access to outdoor space.

• Review from the Spring 2024 Early Education Survey

  May 2024

  REVIEW: This is a very comprehensive 3k program that has way fewer days closed than the DOE schedule if you sign up for extended day. My son loves it there and likes his teachers and his friends. The classrooms are colorful and they do lots of art projects and activities. The downside is that they have a playground on the roof that has gotten very little use this year, in part because of construction next door. They do gross motor play inside most of the time. They also do use screens sometimes, either watching a show or movie on a Friday afternoon together with another class, or a dance video for the kids to perform. I love that they have had a few shows where the kids perform for the parents and days when parents come in to read to the kids or share about their jobs.; Amenities: Has outdoor space, Has after-school options, Provides meals; What would you change? I wish they went outside every day, or at least when weather permits.

• Review from the Spring 2023 Early Education Survey

  August 2023

  Review: The staff are so warm and caring, they really see the kids as individuals and support them. The space is also great with lots of options for various types of free play in each classroom (play kitchen, library), they do a lot of art that is truly child-directed, which I appreciate. It's also a socio-economically and racially diverse space and we had neuro-divergent kids that were really well-integrated into the class. Our kid loved the rooftop playground and the on-site food! We still stay there next year. Amenities: Has outdoor space, Has after-school options, Has early morning hours, Provides meals

• Review from the Spring 2022 Early Childhood Education Survey

  July 2022

  Location: Kosciuszko St, Bed Stuy Type of facility: Pre-K Review: Our child's teacher was great, she was intuitive to the different needs in the class room. They followed the NYC standard UPK curriculum and she supplemented with lots of hands on activities while also focusing on reading and math skills. Our child loved her friends and having fun at school - we liked how she was learning so much while also having ample time to play and discover. What amenities does the facility have? Has outdoor space, Has after-school options, Provides meals Is there anything you would like to add about how the school is handling the pandemic? children were required to be masked, teachers were fully vaccinated in accordance with DOE policy and communication during exposure and classroom shut down was good. At times the time for quarantine seemed arbitrary and out of line with what the DOE standard was however when that was pointed out the school would adjust.

• Daycare Recommendations in Bed Stuy

  May 2021

  I've done a TON of research on daycares in bed stuy. I also go to Friends of Crown Heights on Koscuizco. They're fine. The teachers are great and love the kids, but I have to say that I really don't like the executive director and she constantly gives me a hard time for weird random things (like telling me that I'm late if I get there at 4:45, even though they close at 5 pm and I've never once gotten there after 4:45). But they are inexpensive and I trust them. I also live on the Bed Stuy/Clinton Hill border.

• Daycare Recommendations in Bed Stuy

  May 2021

  We've attended Friends of Crown Heights #20 on Kosciuszko St since our daughter was 6 months old - she's 4 now and in the 3K program. They go through UPK (they offer the free city program - we put it on our list for next year and we know a number of people whose kids have gone all the way through and were satisfied). I think it's $350/week private (not subsidized or voucher) for infants since they raised the fee 1/1/21 due to COVID and all meals are included.

• Review Submitted via 2014-2015 Daycare/Preschool Survey

  July 2015

  Friends of Crown Heights Program: Private Infant room (goes to age 2) Length of time: Full time Child’s Age: < 1 year1-2 years Type of facility: Privately run daycare/preschool with multiple classes and teachersWe are in a private classroom, but there are also public classrooms that go to UPKThere is little/no parental involvement with the administration or running of the facility. REVIEW: I like the caretakers in my child's room. My child loves going to daycare everyday and has a lot of fun. They have 3 diverse meals served to them everyday. Would you recommend? Recommend Would you send your child again? Absolutely

• Review from the 2014 Daycare/Preschool Survey

  November 2014

  Program: Infant program Length of Time: Full Day 5 days/week Child's Age: Review: We are very pleased with our experience at Friends of Crown Heights. The teachers in his classroom are loving, dedicated, and energetic. They are teaching him sign language and even though he's a little baby they do lots of educational activities including flash cards and reading books, learning about colors. They always show care and compassion for the children and are always willing to help carry over anything we're trying to work on with our son (transitioning to formula from breastmilk, sleeping in the crib). The food they provide for the children is very healthy and freshly prepared in the building and follows NYC Early Learn guidelines for school lunches. Recommend (Hi/Rec/DoNot): Highly recommend Would you send your child again? Absolutely