University Settlement's Park Slope North Early Childhood Center

Reviews (57)

• Review from the Spring 2023 Early Education Survey

  August 2023

  Review: We love this school, our son was in the universal 2k program and the teachers are incredible. Amenities: Has outdoor space, Has after-school options, Has early morning hours, Provides meals

• Review from the Spring 2023 Early Education Survey

  August 2023

  Review: The program is play-based and very much driven by the specific teachers and children in the classroom. My daughter loved growing butterflies and releasing them. She also loves dancing to music and playing pretend with her friends. The things she hates she would hate anywhere - like nap-time. My problems are primarily with the administration and how understaffed and unresponsive they are. And how checked out University Settlement who runs PSN is. Given those factors, I don't think I would send my daughter there again. Amenities: Has outdoor space, Has after-school options, Has early morning hours, Provides meals What would you change about the program, if anything, and why? Again, if someone else ran PSN it would be great. Until this year, University Settlement totally ignored the school and even now that they're involved, nothing has changed. There is barely any admin and the one's who are there are totally checked out. Enrollment is low, so the school doesn't have enough money. There is no communication with the parents, they make weird, erratic decisions that effect working people's childcare and the comfort of the kids. And the hardworking teachers feel unsupported. It's really a shame. It could be such a great school.

• Review from the Spring 2023 Early Education Survey

  August 2023

  Review: My child absolutely loved everything about this place. She had fabulous teachers, it was a great facility, amazing classmates and we really enjoyed the parent / family community, the free UPK plus very affordable and high quality after school is fantastic, free breakfast and lunch that all kids ate, nice private outdoor space in the roof that they use a ton. Only downside was the admin is understaffed and enrollment is low. I’d send her there again, very happy with her experience. Amenities: Has outdoor space, Has after-school options, Has early morning hours, Provides meals What would you change about the program, if anything, and why? More support for admin, more admin staff

• Review from the Spring 2023 Early Education Survey

  August 2023

  Review: We had a terrific experience in the 2s program and UPK at the school this year. The space is beautiful, the families are wonderful, and the teachers are extremely dedicated to the children. The administration is kind. We were very pleased with this community. Amenities: Has outdoor space, Has after-school options, Has early morning hours, Provides meals What would you change about the program, if anything, and why? The administration is short-staffed so if you are having trouble reaching someone to enroll— be patient and stick with it! The gym equipment for older children could be more robust.

• Preschools in downtown Brooklyn / North Slope

  December 2022

  Our son was at Park Slope North/Helen Owen Carey for his twos year. The admin can be a giant pain but there is new leadership this year, which may help? Otherwise the teachers were incredible and he really loved it there. It’s kind of a hidden gem too - cheaper than many other places, goes year round, and has extended hours for a very minimal fee.

• Helen Owen Carey Park Slope North Is Under-Enrolled And Has Seats

  October 2022

  We have been extremely impressed with the quality of the program and the overall good vibe of the place. They have very high teacher retention which is always a good sign. They suffer from some discombobulation on the admin side, which is not that uncommon, and their program is severely under-promoted on the various sites where school info can be found. I was persistent about the place because it’s easily the most convenient option in relation to our apartment. I was pleasantly surprised to find out that they do have private seats, and they also have a large number of heavily subsidized seats for families in need, so the level of economic diversity is high. The biggest surprise that I discovered is how affordable the program is. It’s full-time only with 3:20 and 5pm pickup options, and it’s only $1200 a month for a private seat for the 3:20 option. This includes breakfast, lunch, and all snacks. I haven’t found anything more affordable, and it just so happens that I also haven’t found anything that impressed me as much, so for us it was a win-win. My wife and I thought it would be worth posting about this given how little info there is about this place. I’m sure there are people looking, and I wanted to let you know that if you’re willing to wade through a bunch of paperwork and DOE-style stuff, this school is a truly great find

• Review from the Spring 2022 Early Childhood Education Survey

  July 2022

  Location: 71 Lincoln Place Type of facility: Preschool, 3K, Pre-K Review: We love the community and the teachers and that the school is open almost year round. The admin is a mess though and often close the school because of “Covid” though there seems to be no protocol. What amenities does the facility have? Has outdoor space, Has after-school options, Provides meals What would you change about the program, if anything? The administration and the bureaucracy of University Settlement. Is there anything you would like to add about how the school is handling the pandemic? The teachers do a good job. The admin is making it up as they go along.

• Review from the Spring 2022 Early Childhood Education Survey

  July 2022

  Location: 71 Lincoln Pl. , Park Slope Type of facility: Preschool, 3K Review: I would still send my child there. The teachers are great. My daughter has learned so much in a year and they have really engaging lesson plans. While the facilities are old, they are still really nice and it was built as a school. The one thing is communication with the administration can be hard. It is easiest to show up to school and get your question answered then to call or email. What amenities does the facility have? Has outdoor space, Has after-school options, Has early morning hours, Provides meals What would you change about the program, if anything? Better communication from the administration and more organized. Is there anything you would like to add about how the school is handling the pandemic? I think the Covid protocols have been pretty good, but now like all City schools masks are optional. We were told ahead of time of the change and given time to prepare our children.

• Review from the Spring 2022 Early Childhood Education Survey

  July 2022

  Location: North Slope Type of facility: 3K Review: We overall love this program. It’s a great space, amazing student teacher ratios (my son’s class was 8 kids to 2 teachers), and lovely faculty. There’s a great family support program as well, like classes and workshops for parents. And it’s one of the most affordable private care centers, with 3K and UPK. We didn’t love his teacher but all the other teachers seemed great; I think we had bad luck and this teacher was the exception to the rule. The administration can be a little disorganized and sometimes lacking communication, but if you know that, it’s easier to handle. Overall I love HOC and we’re going again next year. What amenities does the facility have? Has outdoor space, Has after-school options, Has early morning hours, Provides meals What would you change about the program, if anything? I wish we were in a different classroom, I wish they had more outdoor time, and maybe for his classroom only, more vibrant curriculum Is there anything you would like to add about how the school is handling the pandemic? They handled the pandemic really well. Mask mandate until recently, but also test to return so no really long closures with exposures which was great.

• Review from the Spring 2022 Early Childhood Education Survey

  July 2022

  Location: Park Slope, Brooklyn Type of facility: 3K Review: My son has received an excellent education in a really comfortable environment. He looks forward to going in every day, and comes home with an amazing range of skills and knowledge (things I didn't), plus countless stories about his friends from class and his teachers. He also attended the 2s program, and will be coming back for Pre-K in fall. We've been nothing but satisfied. The class sizes are small, the teachers are incredibly attentive and caring, and the facility is warm and inviting. What amenities does the facility have? Has outdoor space, Has after-school options, Has early morning hours, Provides meals What would you change about the program, if anything? I'd always like to see more photos of my son during the day (they send a few a month during fun days), but I'm fine foregoing that for a great education. Is there anything you would like to add about how the school is handling the pandemic? We have been incredibly comfortable at HOC during the pandemic. Everyone wears masks, the rooms are very clean, and communication has been clear. They quickly developed a system using a daily survey to check health status and they limit who enters the classroom. My family still hasn't gotten covid, and I heavily credit HOC for that.

• 2s program for the fall?

  January 2021

  We had a very positive (but short) experience at Helen Owen Carrey on Lincoln between 6th and 5th (Park Slope). Our daughter started the 2yo program last year until start of the pandemic and loved it, great teacher. Ma Maria is still the one teaching her everything she knows although she hasn’t seen her for almost a year now, LOL! We decided not to keep her there because they were proposing a blended program (half remote, half in person) for this year. The toddler needs to be 2yo when starting the program, so a November kid could start in November for example.

• 2019-2020 Year Review

  January 2020

  The program is good. The administration is not very organized but the teachers seem to be very good. My daughter has done really well there and I feel like she has grown academically and socially. She has made friends and seems to really like her teachers. I would send her there again yes. … About the facility: Has outdoor space, Has afterschool options, Has early morning hours, Provides meals, Summer program … What would you change? The administration could be much better organized. They could use technology more to make filing forms and paying for wrap around care easier.

• 2019-2020 Year Review

  January 2020

  HOC has great advantages and disadvantages.. The facilities are great with indoor and outdoor options for play so the kids get a lot of activity), it's reasonably priced, serves food (not always the most nutritious..), and they are really making efforts to improve all services, including administration. There is also a great parents community which is working together to make improvements to the school and have different activities and fundraisers, and the school has all kinds of activities where parents can engage in the classroom. My sons teachers have been there for a long time and are very knowledgeable and caring. However, this is a big organization and administration is tough. They have always been very responsive with us when we approached them, but sometimes things are unclear and you don't really get answers, and there are days that it is unclear how many teachers are in the classroom and who they are. Getting an answer on acceptance to the school takes a lot of patience.. All in all, we are pleased with the school and recommend it. … About the facility: Has outdoor space, Has early morning hours, Provides meals … What would you change? Administration, and some more transparency.

• 2019-2020 Year Review

  January 2020

  My family has had a very positive experience with Helen Owen Carey. My daughter started in the 2s program and is currently a PreK student. My son just started in the 2s program this past fall. We've had great teachers throughout our time at HOC, and the facility is much better than other preschools and daycares I have visited in Park Slope. It's an extremely diverse and inclusive community, and we've really enjoyed getting to know the other families at the school. The administration was rocky our first year, but has seemed pretty steady for the past two years. They do not do a very good job with admissions, which is a shame, since it is a great program. The 2s program was under-enrolled this year, which I think was 100% a result of poor admissions protocols. I know they are working to fix this, though, so I am hopeful it will be easier for families to get a spot in future years. I'm so happy we found this school; it's really a gem! … About the facility: Has outdoor space, Has afterschool options, Provides meals … What would you change? As I mentioned above, the school really needs to work on admissions, and to a lesser extent, communications. They are very, very focused on giving the enrolled kids a great experience, and as a result they have trouble giving the necessary attention to prospective families.

• 2019-2020 Year Review

  January 2020

  The teachers seem very competent (some are warmer than others, obviously). My daughter is definitely absorbing the lesson plans at school, and learning to do things above and beyond what she was learning at her daycare/preschool facility. The school provides food and follows some sort of nutritional guidelines based on a grant that they've received. The school prohibits outside food without some sort of doctor's note of a special diet, which was a difficult adjustment for my daughter but I think it has increased her willingness to at least taste food before refusing to eat it. The school has a roof top where the pre-K kids go for outdoor time most days. The after care program runs until 5:45 p.m., and you can pay for it over the summer, thereby avoiding the summer camp nightmare. … About the facility: Has outdoor space, Has afterschool options, Provides meals … What would you change? I'd have after care run just a little bit later, until 6 or 6:30.

• Preschool recommendations for almost 2s?

  December 2019

  Check out Helen Owen Carey on Lincoln Place near 6th Ave. They enroll as the children turn 2. I did this with my December baby in 2015 and my late September baby this year.

• Preschool recommendations for almost 2s?

  December 2019

  Helen Owen Carey (University Settlement Park Slope North) takes kids as soon as they turn two regardless of when in the year it is. It’s a full year program and we really love it. If you have questions about the school feel free to ask.

• Review from the 2018/2019 PSP Daycare, Preschool, PreK, Kindergarten Survey

  December 2018

  I feel very conflicted about this preschool. The pros: it is racially and socioeconomically diverse, has a huge facility with outdoor spaces, they feed the kids three fairly healthy meals a day, it has an 8-5:45 year-round schedule, it's affordable (as far as preschools go), it has UPK so that our child won't need to switch schools, and the kids seem sweet. The cons: the administration is absolutely inept (they can't write an email or answer a simple question), the teachers seem nice enough but are not particularly warm or capable, and they struggle to write even generic reports about the kids' day. Our child had a hard time adjusting to the school and seems to be enduring it rather than enjoying it, and could certainly stand for more academic and extracurricular stimulation. The other parents seem great and many love their kids' teachers so I am hoping that things improve next year! About the facility: Has outdoor space, Has afterschool options, Has early morning hours, Provides meals

• Review from the 2018/2019 PSP Daycare, Preschool, PreK, Kindergarten Survey

  December 2018

  HOC is incredibly diverse, especially for Park Slope. The teachers are warm and loving and the environment has a community feel, despite it being a big school. There is a garden and backyard for the 2s and a roof playground for the 3s and pre-K. The 2s also have access to an indoor play area. The hours (8-5:45) are great for working families and not having to arrange aftercare, it's affordable (and for low income families very sliding scale), and breakfast, lunch and snack are included. Our son has been very happy there and we hope to keep him there for the UPK as well (along with the wrap-around care that will allow him to stay till 5:45.) Overall I'm very happy with our choice. About the facility: Has outdoor space, Has afterschool options, Has early morning hours, Provides meals What would you change? The staffing has been rocky, but so far much more stable for the 2018/19 school year. There is also almost an entirely new admin in place this year. The admin could do a better job communicating messages out to the parents on the whole, but are generally responsive if you go in in-person. There are a lot of great people there, they just need some organizational help.. something that I'm sure is out of budget. They operate under the auspices of several agencies and as such are spread a little thin.

• Review from the 2018/2019 PSP Daycare, Preschool, PreK, Kindergarten Survey

  November 2018

  We’ve only been at HOC for a few months, but we absolutely love it. Our son is in the 2s program and couldn’t be happier. Small class size, incredible teachers, great physical space, and a lovely community. They’re outside almost every day, and for terrible weather they have a wonderful padded indoor playground. The classrooms are huge. The curriculum is lovely; they started with a unit on transitions, which really helped at the beginning, and their emergencies unit included a visit from firefighters, which my son is still talking about. It’s an incredibly diverse community in every way, which isn’t easy to find. They provide all meals, help the kids learn to brush their own teeth, and are really helpful about potty training. We couldn’t be more pleased. About the facility: Has outdoor space, Has afterschool options, Has early morning hours, Provides meals What would you change? The 5:45pm pickup time can be tough without help.

• Review from the 2018/2019 PSP Daycare, Preschool, PreK, Kindergarten Survey

  November 2018

  My daughter has really enjoyed these past few months at HOC. It was a big adjustment since she didn't know any of the kids going in and dropped her nap at the same time, but she's always been very happy there. She loves going on the roof and usually likes the food. I think the teachers do a good job of combining plenty of play/fun with a bit of curriculum. About the facility: Has outdoor space, Has afterschool options, Has early morning hours, Provides meals

• Review from the 2017/2018 PSP Daycare, Preschool, PreK, Kindergarten Survey

  May 2018

  We were happy with our classroom and teachers who are loving and wonderful, but have had ongoing issues with school leadership/management. For more than half the year about half of the classrooms were understaffed/missing teachers. In addition, this past school year has seen two different program directors come and go (currently as of February 2018 this post is empty), the school counselor left recently (as of March 2018), there is no education director (the school has also been looking for one for several months). There was a poorly communicated curriculum program change mid-year. Lost paperwork, poor communication, blaming/excuses for problems are sadly, all-too common. Additionally, the school tested for elevated lead levels in January 2018, but never notified families until a parent saw the NYC DOH report online and raised the issue with the school. The school said they didn't want to alarm parents, since the two faucets that tested for elevated lead levels were not in classrooms (but in the "library" and not used for student drinking water), but transparency is a problem, and it is worrisome to me that they only addressed the issue when called out on it. Would not recommend this school, despite how much we wanted to love it here (meals provided, great hours for working parents, truly diverse classrooms). About the facility: Has outdoor space, Has afterschool options, Has early morning hours, Provides meals. What would you change? Administration is highly disorganized and poor communicators.

• Review from the 2017/2018 PSP Daycare, Preschool, PreK, Kindergarten Survey

  April 2018

  I had my son in a local Montessori program for 2s and 3s and wish I had known about Helen Owen Carey back then, as we only started here for PreK and it has been wonderful. The loving, nurturing and calm atmosphere is a great place for my son. Lots of schools talk about diversity, inclusion and understanding of letting a child set their own pace, but Helen Owen Carey actually practices this. The difference from the Montessori was startling to me, and I went to a Montessori school myself. Also as part of the University Settlement, they make a strong effort to make sure the program is accessible to lower income families. The staff has had some switches this year, but I think that is common in any organization at different times. The school psychologist who recently left was so wonderful. She often reached out to parents on an individual level and made sure she knew what was happening. About the facility: Has outdoor space, Has afterschool options, Has early morning hours, Provides meals. What would you change? The main complaint people have always had is that the school is not too great with communication, as in, it is hard to get in touch with the school, or see upcoming events, etc. I haven't really found that to be the case.

• Review from the 2016/2017 PSP Daycare, Preschool, PreK, Kindergarten Survey

  July 2017

  Type: Preschool About the facility: Has outdoor space, Has afterschool options, Provides meals Review: We have been very happy with our time in the 2s program. Our classroom teachers are loving and warm, and our child has grown so much in their care. There is a great community feel among all the families. The hours/calendar cannot be beat for a working parent. One annoying thing: they advertise 8-6 as operating hours but you must pick up your kid by 5:45, which is always a close call. What would you change about the program, if anything, and why? I wish they were open until 6.

• Review submitted via the PSP 2016 PreK Survey

  December 2016

  Review: We are very happy with our choice to send our daughter to that school. The teachers are fantastic, we met great families there, our daughter loves going to school, we couldn't be more satisfied! About the facility: Has outdoor space, Has afterschool options, Has early morning hours, Provides meals Review submitted via the PSP 2016 PreK Survey

• Review submitted via the PSP 2016 PreK Survey

  December 2016

  Review: overall decent facility/teachers and great wrap-around program so that kids stay in classroom for the after care program. Poor communication from administrators and mixed up information much of the time. About the facility: Has outdoor space, Has afterschool options, Provides meals What would you change about the program, if anything, and why? Better communication from administrators Review submitted via the PSP 2016 PreK Survey

• Review submitted via the PSP Daycare/Preschool 2016 Survey

  July 2016

  Program: 4s Age: 4-5 years Review: We have been here since our daughter turned 2 years old and she went to the 2s program. She is currently 5 and is in the UPK program. the teachers are amazing, involved, communicative, helpful with continuing care between home and school. the preschool's teachers and administrators are just very well-experienced. this group of people know the kids development at the early stages from 2 to 5, and they understand how to get kids interested in a group environment and they lay out an extremely interesting learning program for them. the emphasis that we've experienced is in science, nature and the like - as well as art expression - there was even a lesson plan on the various transportation methods people use to get around. the school went thru a couple of transition periods. both when we came to the school in 2013, and the old administration stepped down and the new head was instated, and again in 2015 when University Settlement acquired the school. there were some misunderstandings along the way - but there was continued effort to improve matters. there are programs in place for kids going thru rough transition, issues with discipline, etc for however long the child may need such attention. the parent-teacher conferences are terrific. i'm amazed each time i read the report how much my kid and the rest of the kids are learning and doing. that said, if you need to chat with your teacher about anything with regards to your child, they are available to chat in between those parent-teacher conferences. the parents of HOC are always involved and some of our efforts are - the gardens in which the kids learn to grow, how to plant etc - fundraising - a sesame place visit during a staff development day - holiday show by the kids classes - moving on party - a few of the parents also put together a website. it is a delightful community to be a part of and we will miss it when we move on to elementary school! PSP note, this member previously reviewed this facility in 2013-2015.

• Review submitted via the PSP Daycare/Preschool 2016 Survey

  July 2016

  Age: 2-3 years Review: This school has been such a warm, nurturing environment for our child, who has been participating in the 2s program since last fall. The teachers are wonderful and very passionate about their work. They seem incredibly committed to identifying and meeting the needs of each kid. The curriculum is play based, which means play is a critical part of any learning. The teachers choose topics either inspired by observations of what interests the kids (e.g., transportation or cooking) or pulled from subjects relevant to their lives (e.g., "how things grow" in the spring), and then they create fun activities to explore these topics and simultaneously build different skills. There is a school garden in the backyard, enormous outdoor play spaces, an indoor play space, and a school library, and all the classrooms are bright, airy and filled with fun items and activity stations to engage the kids and their imaginations. The school has a number of partnerships with local organizations, such as the Brooklyn Conservatory of Music and Soccer Shots, that allow the kids to additionally participate in fully inclusive enrichment activities. We also love that the parents of the kids are so involved, and that their involvement is so welcomed by the staff. There is a very active Parent Advisory Committee that organizes family-wide events, such as a fall festival and annual field trip. Parents are also frequently invited into the school for holiday lunches and welcomed to attend curriculum meetings with the staff to gain a greater understanding of what is happening in the classrooms. There is also a new website specifically for the parents of kids at Park Slope North / Helen Owen Carey: www.psnparents.org. This place is a great community, and it's been a wonderful place for our child to grow and learn.

• Review submitted via the PSP Daycare/Preschool 2016 Survey

  July 2016

  Age: 2-3 years Review: PSN/HOC is an overlooked gem in Park Slope. The facilities are great - large, well-stocked, light-filled classrooms; huge outdoor play areas on the roof and backyard; wonderful garden with plots for each classroom; a library; on-site kitchen. The teachers are wonderful. Each month is a new theme and each week explores a different aspect of the theme through varied and creative means. We have had 2 parent-teacher conferences so far this year and the teachers are always available at drop off and pick up to talk. The classes sometimes join together for activities like soccer, yoga & movement, so the kids get to interact with different ages. The kitchen will cook up things the kids make in class, like bread, and include it in their meals. Oh, did I mention the meals? Breakfast, lunch and snack. The kids are encouraged to serve themselves family-style which is great practice in things like pouring and portion control. At holidays, parents are invited to join for special meals. My daughter's class takes frequent walks around the neighborhood, visiting markets and tree vendors. Parents are encouraged to come to the class and share their hobbies or interests (for instance, by playing guitar and singing with the kids, cooking or even just reading). There is a very active parent group that both works closely with the school's leadership and sponsors yearly events like a trip to Sesame Place and a fall festival. After going through several other unsatisfactory care situations, we finally landed here and are very happy. Our child is thriving here. We started in the 2s program and will continue here through UPK. If this school is so great, why haven't I heard of it, you ask. Fair question. The school hasn't traditionally done much to get word out. There was a transition a few years ago when University Settlement partnered with PSN/HOC and there was some disruption as they sorted the relationship. University Settlement brings the resources and expertise of a large organization, but also the bureaucracy and red tape. Procedures are sometimes not clear to parents or to staff. Paperwork sometimes falls through the cracks and it can appear a bit disorganized at that level. But the parent organization is working with the leadership to fix these issues and the teachers and classes don't seem affected by them in the least.

• Review submitted via the PSP Daycare/Preschool 2016 Survey

  July 2016

  Program: Age: 2-3 years3-4 years Review: Really great option for full-time working parents - the preschool is open from 8 to 5:45 year round, without any of the long summer or winter breaks - just federal holidays plus one day per month closed for professional development. There are two substantial outdoor spaces, so the kids go outside twice a day, except in inclement weather. They feed the kids family style, so the kids learn to eat in a group setting. Each class has three teachers, and the head teacher generally has a graduate degree. Very diverse school: half of the placements are set aside for low income kids with vouchers. The school has worked out great for us but is not for everyone: the administration is very disorganized and communication spotty. We've had our daughter in the school for two years and both of her head teachers have been amazing - really went out of their way to ensure the kids are engaged and learning - but haven't really been great at letting the parents know about the details of the day. That said, all of the issues are really about the parents, not the kids: the kids seem to be very happy and are excited about learning.

• Review submitted via the PSP Daycare/Preschool 2016 Survey

  July 2016

  Age: 2-3 years Review: The teachers are amazing and, across the board, I hear that other parents are extremely satisfied with the care and instruction their children receive. It's a creative based curriculum with a focus on letting the children's play and exploration guide early education. There are great outdoor spaces for play, gardening, exploring, sports, etc. The indoor spaces are large and have plenty of toys, games, crafts, books, etc to let little ones explore and learn. Kids also learn during circle time. My two year old knows several letters by sight and sound already. They serve a hot lunch every day in a family style environment. Breakfast and a late afternoon snack is also provided. A few times a week they have a movement class and once a week they have a soccer class. I think there's also a music class. A couple times a year, there's a parent/teacher meeting where the teacher gives feedback about each child's specific development and how parent's can support the child's growth. Additionally, there are monthly group curriculum meetings with the teachers to discuss what the kids will learn that month. The PAC (Parent Action Committee) meets once a month as well to discuss school activities, fund raisers, and other goings ons. My only complaint is that the administration (the office workers, not the teachers) are disorganized and sometimes seemingly not competent for the job they need to perform. Many times, individual meetings with parents are not prepared for, forms get lost, or they do not know their own school policy. This can be very frustrating. I remind myself that this has no bearing on the WONDERFUL experience my child is having and try to just deal with it. Still, the administration could do with improvement. Overall, I am very happy with HOC/PSN. Advice? Go into the classroom your child will be spending their days at. Speak to the teachers your child will specifically interact with. Talk to the parents of other children in that class. (Sorry, couldn't limit to just one!)

• Review submitted via the PSP Daycare/Preschool 2016 Survey

  July 2016

  Age: 3-4 years Review: My son started at HOC in the 2's program and is finishing up the 3's in June, 2016. We have been incredibly pleased - he is happy, well-supervised, and truly learning there. The administration has changed since last year, and the new team is very motivated and receptive to parent input. His teachers have been loving and kind - giving him extra support whenever needed, but also teaching him how to be more independent. He is never bored and loves all of the units - happily reports back to us on bugs, butterflies, farms - whatever they are "studying". We strongly recommend HOC to anyone looking for a great, inexpensive, happy daycare/preschool! It is truly an undiscovered gem in Park Slope. Advice? Talk to current parents!

• Review Submitted via Fall 2015 Daycare/Preschool Survey

  November 2015

  PROGRAM: 71 Lincoln Place, Brooklyn NY 11217 TIME: Full time 5 days/wk AGE: 2-3 years4-5 years REVIEW: My children's teachers are the highlight of this program. Most have either a long tenure with the program or with early childhood education and clearly love the kids and their jobs. The school is what I would call a traditional play-based preschool, and in the 4's classrooms the UPK Common Core Standards are also seamlessly weaved into play. Some of the administrative/paperwork aspects of the program could be better organized, but this is something I'm willing to overlook based on the affordability, great hours, and location of the school. Keep this in mind when you tour. The school population is incredibly diverse, which was also a big draw for us. As I drop off/pick up my kids every day, I am able to interact with their teachers during these times and always feel well-informed on their progress. The Parent Advisory Committee meets once a month for those who wish to be more involved. WOULD YOU RECOMMEND? (Hi/Rec/DoNot) Highly recommend WOULD YOU DO IT AGAIN? Absolutely

• Review Submitted via 2014-2015 Daycare/Preschool Survey

  July 2015

  Program: 2s Length of time: 5 days/week, full day Child’s Age: 2-3 years Type of facility: Privately run daycare/preschool with multiple classes and teachers REVIEW: This facility is very well run and highly professional. I love that it's in a real school building that has their own outdoor space. They are full-time and year-round for an amazing price. Meals are also included which I find very helpful. Our daughter had been home with a parent full time for 2 years before starting the program and she adapted very well. The transition was hard and every morning she cried for a couple of weeks but they always paid a little extra attention to her and let us know at the end of the day that she calmed down and was participating in play times pretty soon after we left. They have a very structured schedule but the focus is entirely on play which is wonderful. Our daughter has thrived in the short time she has been there. We will definitely be keeping her there until she ages out which will be after Pre-K since the school is also a UPK site. As a side note, the school was singled out by the New York Times for being one of the only UPK sites that does not separate subsidized students and private students which in my opinion is wonderful. Would you recommend? Highly recommend Would you send your child again? Absolutely

• Review Submitted via 2014-2015 Daycare/Preschool Survey

  July 2015

  Program: 2s Length of time: 5 days/week, full day Child’s Age: 2-3 years Type of facility: Privately run daycare/preschool with multiple classes and teachers REVIEW: This facility is very well run and highly professional. I love that it's in a real school building that has their own outdoor space. They are full-time and year-round for an amazing price. Meals are also included which I find very helpful. Our daughter had been home with a parent full time for 2 years before starting the program and she adapted very well. The transition was hard and every morning she cried for a couple of weeks but they always paid a little extra attention to her and let us know at the end of the day that she calmed down and was participating in play times pretty soon after we left. They have a very structured schedule but the focus is entirely on play which is wonderful. Our daughter has thrived in the short time she has been there. We will definitely be keeping her there until she ages out which will be after Pre-K since the school is also a UPK site. As a side note, the school was singled out by the New York Times for being one of the only UPK sites that does not separate subsidized students and private students which in my opinion is wonderful. Would you recommend? Highly recommend Would you send your child again? Absolutely

• Review Submitted via 2014-2015 Daycare/Preschool Survey

  July 2015

  Program: 3's Length of time: full, 5 days a week Child’s Age: 4-5 years Type of facility: Privately run daycare/preschool with multiple classes and teachersUPK REVIEW: ----Skill and energy of teachers: good ----The philosophy of the daycare/preschool/playgroup: good ----The facility and programs offered: good ----How the school dealt with difficult situations (e.g., transitions, discipline, etc.): good ----Feedback you received about your child's progress: good Would you recommend? Recommend Would you send your child again? Absolutely

• Review Submitted via 2014-2015 Daycare/Preschool Survey

  July 2015

  Length of time: Full time, 5 days/week Child’s Age: 4-5 years Type of facility: Privately run daycare/preschool with multiple classes and teachersPartly subsidized so rates are below average REVIEW: We have been at this location for 3 years and there has been quite a bit of turnover since they merged with University Settlement. I do believe that they will become a stronger facility but there are some growing pains right now. We have absolutely loved our teachers this year (our pre-k) and my son has grown exponentially in his social, emotional and academic skills. He began the year unable to write most letters and is ending the year being able to write them all as well as read some simple, 3-letter words and spell his full name. They offered a voluntary math program which he loved and clearly learned a tremendous amount. The classes all have parent-teacher meetings twice a year where we receive verbal and written feedback. I do believe that the greatness of the program is strongly correlated to the quality of the teachers and we were lucky for 2 out of the 3 yrs. Would you recommend? Highly recommend Would you send your child again? Absolutely

• 2014 Daycare/Preschool PSP review

  November 2014

  Program: 2 through UPK Length of Time: 5 days Child's Age: 2-3 years3-4 years4-5 years Review: this school was built as a school many decades ago so the classrooms are big and bright, with a giant rooftop playground. the teachers are loving and warm and smart and dedicated. many stay for decades. the teachers start times are staggered so fresh energy arrives every few hours. the classes, teachers, and director encourage and LOVE parent participation. it is an economically and racially diverse school. Recommend (Hi/Rec/DoNot) Highly recommend Would you send your child again? Absolutely

• 2014 Daycare/Preschool PSP review

  November 2014

  Length of Time: Full-time (part-time allowed a few years back but not anymore) Child's Age: 2-3 years3-4 years4-5 years Review: PROS: Helen Owen Carey has multiple outdoor spaces, one in the rooftop and for the younger children, a garden in the backyard where they can grow vegetables in the springtime. Very affordable, breaks down to $83/day for 2s Program and $65/day for 3s and above. Open year round, with rolling admissions. CONS: Very disorganized administrative staff. We were told several times via phone that they are full, despite current families telling us there are openings available. After the school tour, several families expressed interest in signing up and the woman giving the tour seemed reluctant to provide concrete information on the admissions process; she also seemed disinterested in giving the tour, asking 8 minutes into the tour if anyone had any questions, appearing keen to dismiss all the attendees. We were only able to enroll after contacting the director directly, many times. Recently purchased by a larger company, which was not disclosed during the tour. Food is provided to all the kids; outside food is strictly prohibited. Coinciding with the recent purchase (or because of it), the previous kitchen cook has been replaced by a new cook who is clearly unfamiliar with cooking for children or cooking for a large institution. Some days, the snack is 8-10 Cheerios with water. Or 2 Triscuits with water. There is very little food and not much variety provided. Communication from the school to the parents has been poor and remains poor. Very recently, several head teachers were fired, without the school giving the families any notice. Parents found out through the grapevine and demanded a meeting with the director and the new company. They were indignant to be questioned by the families. There are now substitute teachers in place, with permanent teachers to arrive in the future. Very disruptive and upsetting to the children and parents. Recommend (Hi/Rec/DoNot) Do NOT recommend Would you send your child again? Absolutely not

• 2014 Daycare/Preschool PSP review

  November 2014

  Length of Time: Full time Child's Age: 3-4 years Review: This is our second year at HOC -- 2s fulltime, and now 3s fulltime -- and both head teachers, Ms. Jackie in the 2s class and Ms. Millie in the 3s classs, are the warmest, loveliest of teachers. They bring so much positive energy to the class, teach in a way that is nurturing as well as enlivening and are just all around amazing women. Recommend (Hi/Rec/DoNot) Recommend Would you send your child again? Absolutely

• Feedback on Helen Owen Carey

  September 2013

  I've recently seen several requests for more information on Helen Owen Carey and not many responses, and so I thought I would share my experience. It is indeed true that this school has been a well-kept Park Slope secret for some years primarily because--in my opinion--it is a no-frills school that is focused much more on the children and its services and thus doesn't do a great job of promoting itself. But all that is apparently changing: I've heard that they've seen a sharp increase in applications this year and that there is a wait-list, which means that it is soon going to be like any of the other preschools in Park Slope! My three-year-old daughter has attended HOC for the past year. It is a nice school with many positive features: large spaces and classrooms (as opposed to some of the cramped preschools in the our neighborhood); dedicated teachers; a large roofdeck converted into a playground; a wide range of activities; and, best of all, hot meals that are prepared in the school's own kitchen and that kids eat family-style in their respective classrooms. The tuition is also very affordable and much, much lower than most other private preschools. The student-teacher ratio is also good, with 3 teachers for approx. 15-16 kids (for the 3s group).

• Re: Feedback on Helen Owen Carey

  August 2013

  I've recently seen several requests for more information on Helen Owen Carey and not many responses, and so I thought I would share my experience. It is indeed true that this school has been a well-kept Park Slope secret for some years primarily because--in my opinion--it is a no-frills school that is focused much more on the children and its services and thus doesn't do a great job of promoting itself. But all that is apparently changing: I've heard that they've seen a sharp increase in applications this year and that there is a wait-list, which means that it is soon going to be like any of the other preschools in Park Slope! My three-year-old daughter has attended HOC for the past year. It is a nice school with many positive features: large spaces and classrooms (as opposed to some of the cramped preschools in the our neighborhood); dedicated teachers; a large roofdeck converted into a playground; a wide range of activities; and, best of all, hot meals that are prepared in the school's own kitchen and that kids eat family-style in their respective classrooms. The tuition is also very affordable and much, much lower than most other private preschools. The student-teacher ratio is also good, with 3 teachers for approx. 15-16 kids (for the 3s group).

• Review from 2013 Daycare/Preschool PSP Survey

  July 2013

  Review date June 2013 (for 2012-2013 year) Length of time: Full time Child's age: 2-3 years Review: We really love this place! My son is in the 2s class and is really thriving. The head teacher is wonderful and they do not believe in "time out" - they have a "zen spot" where a child sits when they are upset about something so it is not perceived as punishment. There is some structured play and some free play and they have a wonderful outside area with riding toys and sprinklers and a garden that the kids work in. We meet a few times a year with the head teacher and receive a written evaluation of our child's progress. The teacher has been right on target with my son's strengths and areas that need improvement. They have really helped guide me with difficult issues (temper tantrums, transitions, discipline) in an approach that works for my parenting style. My least favorite part of this facility has been my dealings with the director but that is such a small part of the day to day process that it is not a concern to me. The one surprise to me is that they are closed once a month for staff development. This is a new state requirement and is definitely a hardship for many parents. Do you recommend? (Hi/Rec/DoNot) I definitely would recommend!

• Review from 2013 Daycare/Preschool PSP Survey

  July 2013

  Review date June 2013 (for 2012-2013 year) Program: Length of time: 5 days/wk Child's age: 2-3 years Review: This center is an undiscovered gem. It is play-based education for two year olds, with teachers that are smart and loving and patient. Five days a week, but the hours are a bit flexible, you don't have to attend ALL day. We receive a note every day about what our kids ate and what activities they did etc. We couldn't be happier. Do you recommend? (Hi/Rec/DoNot) Highly recommend

• Review from 2013 Daycare/Preschool PSP Survey

  July 2013

  Review date June 2013 (for 2012-2013 year) Program: Length of time: Full time, 5 days Child's age: 3-4 years Review: A warm, nurturing, diverse pre-school. My child is excited to go to school each day. We have been very happy with HOC over the past 2 years. It is a balance of play and more structured learning activities. There are formal parent/teacher meetings twice a year, with regular feedback at pick up/drop off. Communication flow between the administration and parents has improved significantly with the new director - there are regular email updates about upcoming events, etc. Do you recommend? (Hi/Rec/DoNot) Highly recommend

• Review from 2013 Daycare/Preschool PSP Survey

  July 2013

  Review date June 2013 (for 2012-2013 year) Program: Length of time: 3 full days/week Child's age: 3-4 years Review: We've had a wonderful experience with Helen Owen Carey. We explored the program thanks to recommendations from PSP, and were delighted with what we found. The school has its own building, which is a great boon; they've got a playground on the roof, a small indoor play court, a garden, and a brand new library. Schedules are flexible and the program runs year-round. The new director, Deanna Butler, is full of excellent ideas. The teachers are caring, creative, and attentive; our child's class has three teachers, and there are often no more than ten kids in the room with them. The result is that each child receives a loving and inspired education. Our son's class regularly does exciting art projects (painting with ice, constructing rainbows and cloudscapes, block printing, etc), works in the garden to grow flowers, vegetables, and herbs, goes to music class, learns songs in Spanish, French, or Japanese, and plays with simple and stimulating toys. Children are taught to respect each other, emotionally and physically; they learn household responsibilities (always scrape your plate after you eat!) and wise techniques for dealing with emotions (if you're upset, take a breath and tell someone how you feel!). The school also provides wonderful whole meals for the kids; weekly menus include both vegan and nonvegan offerings, and the school has been great about respecting our dietary preferences for our child. Most importantly, we've seen our son grow in so many exciting ways--he's become more physically and socially confident, has learned to express his feelings more clearly, and has been encouraged to explore his intellectual curiosities. Worth mentioning too: Helen Owen Carey receives public subsidies for more than half its families, which means that the population of students is far more diverse than at many other preschools in the Slope. We feel so fortunate to be part of the school's vital and loving community. I can't imagine a better school experience for our son. Do you recommend? (Hi/Rec/DoNot) Highly recommend

• Review from 2013 Daycare/Preschool PSP Survey

  July 2013

  Review date June 2013 (for 2012-2013 year) Program: Length of time: 3 full days Child's age: 3-4 years Review: I found the Helen Owen Carey family helpful and completely involved in my child's development. Loved the arts concentration..lots of lil projects and tons of painting..The indoor play areas are life savers when weather is inclement. And affordable... A perfect lil Place! Do you recommend? (Hi/Rec/DoNot) Highly recommend

• Re: Feedback on Helen Owen Carey?

  February 2013

  We love it there! My 2.3 yr old son has been there since October of this year. The teachers are great and the schedule is great. The only problem is that there are new DOE guidelines that mandate staff development days so they are closed 1x/month. I have corporate back-up care through my job so it works out for me, but I know that this is a problem for others.

• Re: Universal Pre-K Help

  January 2013

  My 2 year old daughter went to Helen Owen Carey for a couple of months in 2012. It is a good school--just not a good fit for us, and it was quite expensive for me as a single mother. My understanding is that your income has to be quite low in order to receive financial assistance.

• Re: Universal Pre-K Help

  January 2013

  I don't know specifics of the financials, but call Helen Owen Carey Child Development Center. They are a partially subsidized preschool and the fees are based on income. My son goes there and we LOVE it. It's located on Lincoln Place just off 6th Avenue.

• (no subject)

  August 2012

  Review Date 2012 Program:2's Program Length of TIme: 5 days/week Child's Age: 2-3 years Review: Wonderful, caring environment with teachers who are interested in giving children an enriching experience. The classrooms have a daily schedule so the children have a routine they are familiar with, yet within that routine the teachers provide new experiences. Some days they have show and tell, other days a yoga class. They're always thinking of new, fun activities that my son enjoys. Do you recommend? (Hi/Rec/DoNot) Highly recommend

• (no subject)

  January 2012

  Length of Time: Full day 2-3 years We couldn't be happier with Helen Owen Carey (HOC). Due to logistical reasons we had to change daycare/preschools in September and fortunately HOC had space for our 2 year old (he turned 3 in November). Our son has integrated well and every day we're amazed at what he is learning. To ensure the transition went smoothly, the school asked that our son attend a few hours on the first day, and additional hours each day until a full day was reached. The policy made the transition easy. Though his primary teacher left a few weeks ago the new teacher is energetic, caring and seems to really know her stuff. Though the facilities look a bit run down, each classroom is well maintained, has a large variety of educational toys and has designated spaces for reading, blocks, rest, role play, etc. We have already had a parent-teacher conference and the feedback we received was useful. If there have been any situations we have been made aware of them immediately. Do You Recommend? Highly recommend (Review date: December, 2011)

• (no subject)

  January 2012

  PROGRAM: Length of Time: Full Days, 3 days/wk 3-4 years Teachers are engaged 100% of the time, are enthusiastic and most importantly are very loving to all of the children. They are dedicated and they love their job. The philosophy is to provide a caring and nurturing environment, while developing the skills they need in preparation for school. My child comes home with new songs, fire safety routines, yoga positions and new letters that she has learned. There is a great mix of veteran and newly trained teachers that makes for an innovative, yet consistent experience for kids. Our daughter has developed beautifully at the school, loves to go and had almost no problems in transitioning to what is really her first school experience. The best part of HOC is the beautiful economic, racial and ethnic diversity of the students and parents. The Parent Advisory Council meets regularly and includes great parent leaders that work hard to help the school fund raise and develop to continue to offer such great services for all students. Do You Recommend? Highly recommend (Review date: December, 2011)

• (no subject)

  January 2012

  PROGRAM: Twos Length of Time: Full days/5 days a week 2-3 years Our 2.5 year old son has been attending H.O.C. for about 3 months now and we have all been very happy with it. His teachers are warm and engaging. The center provides the meals family style which I believe really promotes healthy eating habits. They do parent-teacher conferences 4x per year and we got a ton of great feedback at our first one. They really seem to care about the whole child, at least with the little ones. And most importantly, my son seems super happy and never wants to leave. Do You Recommend? Highly recommend (Review date: December, 2011)

• (no subject)

  March 2011

  My son started at Helen Owen Carey about 6 weeks ago, when I had to transfer him from another daycare center. In this time he has become comfortable with the teachers in his room, as well as the other two rooms with two year olds and Mr. Lenny (The Director). Mr. Lenny routinely visits the classrooms and makes sure he gets to know each and every child. When my son started, we had some transitioning issues, and Mr. Lenny made a point of coming to the classroom and help my son feel comfortable. Part of the reason I had to move my son from one daycare to another was that he was not able to follow instructions or move from one activity to the other. He also found it difficult to keep his attention in activities in his original daycare, most likely because they were not focused for the appropriate age range. I believe that the organization, scheduling, and most of all the staff of Helen Owen Carey have made the transition as smooth as it possibly could have been, and I see a change in my son already. They gave him the TLC that he needed to be comfortable, and the guidance and direction to help a very stubborn three year old start to learn to follow directions and participate in group activities. Honestly, HOC is not an easy daycare for me to have my son in. I know I made the right choice. They care for my son and are helping him become the boy I know he can be.

• (no subject)

  March 2011

  My son has been at HOC for a year now and we love the school. His teachers are wonderful, and the other teachers we see also seem great. The facilities are better than most Park Slope schools, with lots of outdoor play space and an indoor play court. The schedule is flexible, as it is technically a daycare, and meals are provided. The tuition is substantially lower than other local preschools, which helps, but is not the reason that the school is so great. (March 2011)

• (no subject)

  November 2010

  This is a wonderful child care center in a great building across the street from PS 282. As part of a child care working group formed a couple of years ago with other parents on our list-serve and others, I came to know the center and its Board Chair, Joan Davis. It is one of the few high quality AND affordable child care options in the neighborhood! (September, 2010).