Imagine Early Learning Center @ Brooklyn Heights

Reviews (14)

• Review from the Spring 2024 Early Education Survey

  May 2024

  REVIEW: Our 13 month old has been at Imagine since she was 4 months old and we love it so much! The administration is excellent--super communicative and caring. Although teacher turnover at daycare can be somewhat high, the teachers we've had have been fantastic. I've also been impressed with the creative programming they have for even the 1 year olds. The school offers 3K and 4K and you can purchase lunch for your kiddos starting as early as 1. We feel so lucky to have found a school that truly feels like a community.; Amenities: Has outdoor space, Provides meals;

• Review from the 2023 Summer Camp Survey

  November 2023

  Location: Brooklyn Heights How old was your child when they attended camp this summer? 3.5 Review: Loved the camp; full of activities and best part is they provided lunch and snacks which helped tremendously. They always posted pictures and recaps daily which was awesome What would you change about the program, if anything, and why? Nothing

• Review from the Spring 2023 Early Education Survey

  August 2023

  Review: Pros: Teachers cared about the children, classroom was pretty nice and spacious, large mutli-purpose room for physical activity in inclement weather, good free lunch Cons: Administration disorganized and disliked by staff (and since have been replaced - new relationships TBD), for half there year there was no certified teacher in the classroom. Also the program ran from 930am-350pm so you are forced to pay for early drop off if both parents work and the late ending means its too late to do many afterschool activites. some kids would leave at 315 to attend activities anyway. Amenities: Has early morning hours, Provides meals, Afterschool pickups to other programs What would you change about the program, if anything, and why? Quality of teachers

• Thoughts on Imagine ELC in DUMBO?

  November 2020

  We have had a great experience at Imagine DUMBO overall since the infant room (son now almost 3).

• Thoughts on Imagine ELC in DUMBO?

  November 2020

  We sent our daughter there, who was 5 months at the time, for a couple of months pre COVID and we were happy with the experience. We have not been back since then but have heard good things from other parents we know and have seen in the neighborhood since. Chose Imagine over Bright Horizons in DUMBO. Staff seemed seemed warmer and more like a family feel at the center.

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

  April 2018

  My son was in the infant room and now in the 1s room. Both rooms have nice programs (songs, reading, great teachers). The only thing that was hard was the transition from one room to another. In the ones room they are immediately on a schedule, sitting at a table with other kids for lunch, and their bottle is not heated up any more. About the facility: pizza on Thursdays if you pay extra. Snacks provided daily What would you change? The facility has more turnover than I would like.

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

  July 2017

  Type: Pre-K About the facility: Has outdoor space, Has afterschool options, Has early morning hours Review: Our son has been at Imagine since he was an infant, and we were thrilled when it became UPK certified. We had wraparound care, so he's there 9-6. We had a great experience and would recommend it to anyone. The class studied units on dinosaurs, the environment, transportation, and building/architecture. There's ample time for self-directed learning and centers for art, games, dramatic play, and more. Spanish, yoga, and music teachers regularly visit the classroom. Our son grew so much this year and we're confident he is ready for kindergarten. Also: Teachers happily fill out forms for private schools. What would you change about the program, if anything, and why? The preK program had the same teachers all year but other classes had significant turnover. The director has acknowledged this with parents.

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

  July 2017

  Type: Preschool About the facility: Has outdoor space, Has afterschool options, Has early morning hours, I think the outdoor space is tiny but they make great use of the neighborhood. They also have a large indoor basement space "the undercroft") that is great for winter Review: My daughter attended a different branch (Newark) and started at BH in September 2016 and we have loved it. There was some teacher turnover that concerned me but my daughter seemed unaffected. She loves her teachers and classmates and it is truly an early learning center that focuses on the learning. She has yoga, a music teacher that comes in to do sing-a-longs, and Spanish once a week. I can't say there is anything she doesn't like about her school and certainly nothing that she loathes. The cost is a factor for me, its expensive. I also wish they did meals - the Newark branch did meals start at 2yrs and I was looking forward to it. They have pizza Friday which is paid for separately based on number of families that sign up.

• Review submitted via the PSP 2016 PreK Survey

  December 2016

  Review: Great preK program. My son loves going to school, has made strong friendships, and is in a great position for both private and public school kindergarten programs. school stays in touch with weekly newsletter and private Shutterfly site. Plus informal conversations at pick up and drop off. Curriculum includes music, Spanish, dance, & yoga with specialty teachers. About the facility: Has outdoor space, Has afterschool options, Has early morning hours What would you change about the program, if anything, and why? All four classroom teachers were new to the school this year. Would have preferred more continuity from previous year(s). Review submitted via the PSP 2016 PreK Survey

• Review submitted via daycare/preschool survey

  January 2016

  - This is both montessori and spanish immersion. - There are 2 teachers whose warmth, energy, and competence are evident in their interactions with the children and parents. My son has difficulty separating from me in the mornings, but when I go to pick him up is all smiles. - I love the montessori model of child choice, independence, and exploration. I am seeing his curiosity, creativity, and desire to try things on his own increase in all areas of his daily routine. - It is difficult to climb 2 flights of stairs to reach the classroom since I also have to bring along my 1 year old to pick up/drop off - but it's worth it. Also, I wish there were outdoor space, but the current rental may be temporary until a more permanent place can be found. - We were invited to a 20 minute observation 3 months into the school year. It was so rewarding to us and empowering to our son to watch him learn and work on the materials in the classroom. The head teacher then spent time speaking with us about his strengths and areas to work on. It confirmed for us that he is in the right place.

• Review submitted via daycare/preschool survey

  January 2016

  Our son has attended Imagine from 4 months old to now 3 years old, and we plan to keep him in until kindergarten. (It is a licensed UPK site!) Imagine has a play-based curriculum, which keeps the children active and creatively engaged while still adhering to a curriculum. We have regular parent-teacher conferences and there is a Parent Advisory Board that holds open meetings. Classes are small & teachers are enthusiastic and warm. They keep a folder of examples of classroom work that we will receive when our son graduates, along with copies of all developmental evaluations. There is a separate summer curriculum with fun activities and field trips (Botanic Garden, for instance.) This summer the school brought in a tae keon do instructor, in addition to the regular yoga and music teachers. The wait list can be long, but we are so glad to be here.

• Review Submitted via Fall 2015 Daycare/Preschool Survey

  November 2015

  PROGRAM: 50 Monroe Pl TIME: Full time 8-6pm AGE: 1-2 years REVIEW: Imagine ELC is a special place. There's no wonder there is a very long waiting list to get into it. The teachers are thoughtful and educational, they recognize the value of visiting the local farmers market, parks, playgrounds, talking to the children about the seasons and their surroundings, exposing children to different sensory experiences from play with clay and paint to yoga to music. The teachers are really responsible and really care very deeply for each child. The other parents form a very strong and welcoming community. When there are concerns, the administration follows up quickly and swiftly and is always looking out for every child. WOULD YOU RECOMMEND? (Hi/Rec/DoNot) Highly recommend WOULD YOU DO IT AGAIN? Absolutely

• Review from 2013 Daycare/Preschool PSP Survey

  July 2015

  Imagine Early Learning Center Program: Turtles Room (Twos Room) Length of time: Full time Child’s Age: 2-3 years Type of facility: Privately run daycare/preschool with multiple classes and teachers REVIEW: Imagine is a play-based learning center with a defined curriculum. My son has attended Imagine since he was four months old and just transitioned to his fourth classroom (Manatees/Threes). We have been a happy Imagine family from the start and are glad he goes to such a high-quality daycare (we call it "school.) the teachers are warm, the administration is stable, and the students are engaged and excited to be there. Just this week at pick-up, my son greeted me by saying, "I had a fun day!" The school encourages literacy and has a book fair & lending library. There are regular field trips as well as daily trips to the park, farmers market, and community spots like the fire station. We have parent-teacher conferences twice a year with developmental checklists and get periodic observational reports with photos from specific activities. Two other things to note: Imagine provides healthy snacks but parents must bring lunch. Imagine is a UPK site, so we are thrilled that we will be receiving that particular benefit down the line. Would you recommend? Highly recommend Would you send your child again? Absolutely

• 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 a week Child's age: < 1 year Review: We are having a positive experience at Imagine ELC. Our son started in the infant room at just over four months old, and he has grown and developed well. He is happy when we get there and has a smile on his face when I arrive. His teachers are warm and know our son's personality and needs. Teachers in other classrooms and administrators know his name and mine, which makes us feel at home. We like that there is a curriculum—loosely defined at this age—but they have regular instruction in art, music, yoga, and sensory activities. We are getting ready for the summer program, which involves a lot of outdoors time. There are parent-teacher conferences, but we feel comfortable communicating with the teachers or director about any questions, developmental changes, etc. at any time. The physical building itself is old and a bit worn, but it doesn't bother me, likely because it reminds me of my own preschool. I wish it stayed open until 6:30 or 7 p.m., but very few daycares seem to. We already have signed up for next year and see ourselves staying here until our son heads off to kindergarden. Do you recommend? (Hi/Rec/DoNot) Highly recommend