Park Slope Child Care Collective

Reviews (65)

• Review submitted December 2024

  December 2024

  My son is in his second year at the Collective and we love it. He has thrived there thanks to the caring, experienced, fantastic teachers and staff. The teachers plan many creative and engaging experiences for the kids and they play outside everyday. The school community is also great, parents are engaged and active, and we’ve had great communication with administrators. It’s a wonderful place for preschool!

• Review from the Spring 2024 Early Education Survey

  June 2024

  Review: We have loved the Park Slope Childcare Collective. The teachers are warm, attentive, energetic, brilliant, and experienced. They have provided our son with a wonderful environment to learn and grow. We also love that they go to Prospect Park virtually every day, walking together and exploring their community and nature. The hours are pretty good, too—8am - 5:40pm—and the program is open through the end of July. We’re sad to leave! Amenities: Has outdoor space, Has after-school options, Has early morning hours

• Review from the Spring 2023 Early Education Survey

  August 2023

  Review: What an incredible, loving community. Emphasis on diversity, equity and inclusion. Lots of outdoor time. Emergent curriculum. Teachers and staff with over 20 years experience. A hidden gem. 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: We love this school so much and can't say enough good things about it. The teacher/student ration is outstanding, the kids love each other and the teachers, they prioritize time outside, choice time, social/emotional learning, and create a wonderful community of families. Amenities: Has outdoor space, Has after-school options, Has early morning hours What would you change about the program, if anything, and why? Nothing

• Park Slope Child Care Collective

  July 2023

  My daughter attended PSCCC for the last two years, and I have only wonderful things to say about it. I have an older child as well, and work in education, and this is far and away the most caring, thoughtful school I have ever encountered. The thoughtfulness shows up in the details, and the meaningfulness of those details in every aspect of the school. One small example: when kids join the school at 2 they pick a symbol, and that symbol is used in the classroom for all of their things, paired with their names. As my daughter learned her friends’ names, she learned their symbols and then the first letters of her name. She was so proud to point out every G for Gio or E for Eliot. And then she learned the sounds of the letters using her friends’ names. An awareness of her friends and letters flowed into the “academics” but also points to the way the teachers lead students in building meaningful relationships. The kids constantly hug, but also ask their friends first. And the teachers lead kids beautifully through all the transitions of life, potty training, switching classes, graduating, friends moving. I could go on and on. One more thing: The schedule (actually) works for working parents. School opens at 8 and ends at 5:15, without you needing to sign up for aftercare or designate your drop off time (as long as you drop off by 9:30, I think. We are 8am’ers). And it goes from September through July, without needing to sign up for “camp.” One note: The school is a collective, which means you will need to do 18 hours of volunteer hours a year. While it can feel like an extra, it’s also a chance to make connections with other families. You can also choose what to do. I loved organizing fundraisers (bake sales, clothing swaps, Brooklyn cyclones), which would be my husband’s nightmare. He was happy to bake for bake sales and make the graduation hats. Others serve on the board, as class parent, or do Home Depot runs. If all that sounds horrible to you, then PSCCC is likely not the best fit.

• 2's programs?

  January 2023

  Check out the Park Slope Childcare Collective. We had an amazing experience with our first child, now 4. Planning on sending our second child to the 2s program there. 3/4/5 day options. Caring and loving teachers. Play based pedagogy. Financial Aid. 8a-6p It was said before, but always reach out to these places, even if it's after the deadline.

• Recommending our amazing preschool for fellow Prospect Heights families

  January 2023

  Our son went to PSCCC for two years and graduated in August. I can’t recommend it highly enough. I can’t imagine a better childcare experience for my child at that age. We lived in Prospect Heights when we attended and had a 15 min walk each way but it was more than worth it. The teachers and admin are amazing. Was like a 2nd family.

• Recommending our amazing preschool for fellow Prospect Heights families

  January 2023

  I'll third rec PSCCC. Our younger finished her 4's year there last year and our elder the year before. They both went through the whole program, starting with the 2's year and went through the disruption that was Covid. The school has managed that INCREDIBLY well and we were so happy with how the teachers rolled with all the changes and still managed to make the place as welcoming, warm and fun as before Covid. Our kids still want to visit periodically and they remember their time there very affectionately. I would highly recommend anyone applying and taking a look. They also have a grants program, albeit small, that can provide some tuition assistance for families that can use that support.

• Recommending our amazing preschool for fellow Prospect Heights families

  January 2023

  Our 3 year old has really thrived in the Collective's 3's program. He loves his teachers and friends, loves being outside and exploring the neighborhood and Prospect Park with his school community, and always wants to be at school! We are near the Prospect Park stop on the B/Q, so take the 41 bus two stops there, and it's been worth it!

• Recommending our amazing preschool for fellow Prospect Heights families

  January 2023

  I wanted to recommend and share our very positive experience at the Park Slope Child Care Collective. It's located on 7th ave/St Johns Place, approx an 8 min walk from where we live. My twins started in September when they were 2.5 in their 2's program. It has a very low student to teacher ratio and most teachers have been there for a long time. It's just a really great community and vibe - a lot of projects, art, songs, outdoor time. Their founding mission is to provide childcare for working parents, so they're open for many holidays and continue through June and July. Essentially it's a project based preschool with daycare hours and very reasonable tuition. I know people are in the midst of applications season, so wanted to share as I think the school is under the radar a bit, we only heard about it from friends with older kids.

• Preschool Shout Out!

  December 2022

  I just wanted to give a shout-out to our preschool The Park Slope Childcare Collective on St. John's place and 7th Ave. It is a small, intimate, and incredibly well-run little cooperative preschool. Our 5-year-old attended back in 2020 and our 2 yr old is very happy there now. We adore the teachers, play-based curriculum and wonderfully active community of parents. They are hosting a virtual open house this Thursday at 8:00pm.

• Park Slope Childcare Collective

  November 2022

  The collective has been a wonderful place for our daughter. We moved here from California two years ago, brand new to New York City, and the school welcomed us with open arms. We love the sense of community, the parental involvement, the attentiveness of the teachers and the emphasis on outdoor play. We love that a lot of the teachers have been there for years and years. We love the teacher-student ratio. And the schedule is super accommodating for working families.

• Park Slope Child Care Collective

  November 2022

  We love the Park Slope Child Care Collective! Our daughter is in her second year at the school, and we've watched her grow and thrive under the loving, warm, and dare I say, magical, care of her teachers. The play-based curriculum has fostered our daughter's curiosity and creativity, and we're a big fan of how much time they spend in Prospect Park. The school also recently brought back yoga and music (which we couldn't have during COVID), as well as bilingual instruction in Spanish. Outside the teachers and admin (who are excellent and long-tenured), what we love most about the Collective is the community - it's inclusive, diverse and fun. We feel so lucky to have made so many friendships with other parents, and our daughters adores her close knit group of buddies. Lastly, the school was built around the schedules of working parents, which means you can drop your kid off as early as 8am and pick up as late as 5:40pm. We also have far fewer holidays than our friends at other neighborhood schools and the school year runs for 11 months, which eases the summer camp hustle. These were big factors in us choosing the Collective because it's made it much more seamless to juggle parenting and work.

• Review from the Spring 2022 Early Childhood Education Survey

  July 2022

  Location: 186 St. John’s Place, Brooklyn, NY 11217 Type of facility: Preschool, 3K, Pre-K Review: The Park Slope Child Care Collective (PSCCC) is a magical place! From their first virtual open house we knew it was the right fit for our family: warm, loving and deeply experienced early childhood professionals, a child-led Montessori approach, and a diverse and close knit community of families. Our daughter adores her teachers and has blossomed in their care. She’s also fostered very special friendships with her classmates, and as parents, we’ve similarly enjoyed building friendships with the other parents. What amenities does the facility have? Has outdoor space, Has after-school options, Has early morning hours What would you change about the program, if anything? Nothing Is there anything you would like to add about how the school is handling the pandemic? PSCCC’s director has been thoughtful and intentional in partnering with our parent led board to determine how to evolve safety procedures throughout the year.

• Review from the Spring 2022 Early Childhood Education Survey

  July 2022

  Location: 186 St Johns Pl, Brooklyn, NY 11217 Type of facility: Preschool Review: The teachers were absolutely AMAZING - engaging children through a great combination of play and learning. The class spent a significant amount of time exploring Prospect Park, as well as playing and learning in the classroom- drawing, dancing, reading, building, planting. The ratio of 4 teachers for 12-15 kids was fantastic. The hours from 8 to 5:30 with full engagement were priceless. The director went above and beyond to keep everyone safe during Covid and to respect the requests from the parents. I couldn't have asked for a better place. My daughter woke up smiling each day when she was going into her Bears class. What amenities does the facility have? Has outdoor space, Has after-school options, Has early morning hours What would you change about the program, if anything? The 3-4 class is combined, I would have preferred separate for 3s and 4s as my daughter went there only for one year so only experienced one side of this. Is there anything you would like to add about how the school is handling the pandemic? The school is amazing with zero transmissions in the classroom this year when kids tested positive because of what is implemented: open windows, ACs, two HEPA filters in the class, very diligent mask wearing, a tone of time outdoors, windows open at night, testing of air quality during the day, lots of hand washing, eating lunch outside and morning health checks. Lots of opportunity for parents to discuss and input into the approach.

• Review from the Spring 2022 Early Childhood Education Survey

  July 2022

  Location: Saint johns and seventh ave Type of facility: Preschool Review: Amazing staff, teachers and administrators. Very small kid to teacher ratio. Warm, nurturing, child centered. Everything was excellent. What amenities does the facility have? Has outdoor space, Has after-school options, Has early morning hours Is there anything you would like to add about how the school is handling the pandemic? They handled it very well.

• Review from the Spring 2022 Early Childhood Education Survey

  July 2022

  Location: North Park Slope Type of facility: Preschool Review: PSCCC is a play-based pre-school that has 3 classrooms. One for 2's and two more for mixed 3's and 4's. The school has been amazing for our children. They have their own small outdoor space, but also spend a lot of time in Prospect Park (esp for the older kids rooms). I can't think of anything that our children didn't like at this place. The teacher to student ratio is incredible (4-6 teachers and 15-16 children). The school is open from around 8am to around 5:30pm and 5-days a week, though some families are there for partial week. They have been incredibly flexible and responsive to the teachers and the families that go there. They are a collective, which means that each adult in the family must put in 18-hours of work to help the collective function. They only have 2 admin and the rest are teachers, which means that the time that the families put in make a huge difference. In addition, this time often allows many families to get to know each other through this time commitment as well as the various events. What amenities does the facility have? Has outdoor space Is there anything you would like to add about how the school is handling the pandemic? Masks are required indoors by all at the moment and outside, masks are not required. There is a board for this school that has been VERY involved and monitoring the guidance from DOH as well as CDC, etc to aid in coming up with the policy for the school.

• Review from the Fall 2021 Early Childhood Education Survey

  December 2021

  Type of facility: Preschool Review: We love everything about PSCCC. They truly want and incorporate parents' input; the teachers have such a love for the school and their students evidenced by their long tenure at the school; they have been very smart about how to manage Covid risk; our child was in the 2s class, is now in the 3s and loves to go to school every day. What amenities does the facility provide? Has outdoor space, Has after-school options, Has early morning hours Is there anything you would like to add about how the school handled the pandemic? outstanding communication; documented safety protocols, openness to questions

• Review from the Fall 2021 Early Childhood Education Survey

  December 2021

  Type of facility: Pre-K Review: Park Slope Child Care Collective is a creative, child-centered, COVID safe, equity-embracing learning environment for kiddos (ages three through five) and their families. We love the staff and appreciate that they have been a part of PSCCC for on average twenty years! The kiddos spend significant amounts of time outside (in the side yard for the Little Stars and in Prospect Park for the older kiddos), engage in art, science, and cultural exploration- all child-focused. We LOVE that all parents are intentional community members (as there is a work requirement for the preschool- it is a collective) which has fostered further connection during these pandemic times. Finally, as a household with two working parents, we are THRILLED with the hours- 8am-5:30pm- all with the same staff in the same classroom. Our older kiddo would not do well with being in an after school program with a different staff than the during the day staff. At the Collective, this is not a concern. Further, their calendar is generous- they are in session throughout the summer with only an August break. What amenities does the facility provide? Has outdoor space, Has after-school options, well-researched and followed COVID safety protocols for the families and staff alike Is there anything you would like to add about how the school handled the pandemic? The school has been amazing during the pandemic and shifted its curriculum to being more outdoors based for everyone's safety. Everyone wears masks, all staff are fully vaccinated. We've also appreciated the adoption of the Brightwheel app as a way to get communication from teachers and to see pictures of our kiddo from their day.

• Preschools

  November 2021

  Another strong rec for the collective. Really wonderful place.

• Preschools

  November 2021

  Check out the park slope child care collective. Our son loves it!

• Full time jobs and preschool schedules?

  August 2021

  We've loved our time at the Park Slope Child Care Collective (http://psccc.org/) mostly because the teachers are fantastic, though a big initial draw was that the school is open well beyond the DOE schedule (no spring break, they are closed for four weeks in August though) and in our search it was one of the more affordable preschools in the neighborhood (North Slope) with need-based scholarships available.

• Review from the 2020–2021 Daycare, Preschool, Pre-K, and K Survey

  July 2021

  Review: Love everything about this school. The staff and teachers, the way that the administration cares so much to make the parents a part of the community. I would say they have been conservative but not rigid w/r/t COVID procedures, which I appreciate greatly. The ratio of teachers to students in each class is very high, which I value highly. Facility amenities: Has outdoor space What would you change about the program? healthier snacks (fresh, not packaged), but this was part of the COVID procedures which is understandable Is there anything you would like to add about how the school handled the pandemic? No, they have managed this beautifully

• Review from the 2019–2020 Daycare, Preschool, Pre-K, and K Survey

  June 2021

  Review: The childcare collective is amazing. The teachers are gems, the teacher:student ration is outstanding, the parents are part of creating and supporting the organization so our input and feedback are desired and valued, and the communication has been excellent. I am thrilled with our choice and plan to continue sending our child there next year. Our son loves the school and runs into class each day thrilled to be there. Amenities offered: Has outdoor space, Has after-school options

• Review from the 2019–2020 Daycare, Preschool, Pre-K, and K Survey

  June 2021

  Review: PSCCC is outstanding! The teachers are loving and dedicated. Most have been at the school for ten+ years. The staff have worked hard to transform the dynamic curriculum to now being primarily outdoors to be safer considering COVID transmission. The staff and board have done tremendous efforts to ensure that the school is as safe as possible for all involved given COVID concerns (masks worn indoors and outdoors, kiddos spend most of day outside, extra cleaning done, etc.). Kiddos stay in the same class group for their three and four year, making these classes be multi-age level and full of rich developmental support. We love the extended hours (this year 8am-5pm; usually 8am-6pm); it's the friendliest daycare scene for working parents. Finally, PSCCC is a collective and with that, there is an effort by all involved to see it thrive during such unusual times such as these we are living through with COVID. Amenities offered: Has outdoor space, Has after-school options, Has early morning hours

• Prek options still accepting applications?

  February 2021

  We are very happy at the Park Slope Child Care Collective: a play-based school with a child-centered curriculum that focuses on the whole child (social, emotional, cognitive & physical development). The teachers are fantastic! Our son will graduate this year and our daughter will be doing 4s next year. Priority goes to applications received by 1/1, but families are still welcome to apply.

• 2s program for the fall?

  January 2021

  I also want to sing the praises of the Park Slope Child Care Collective. We've been there for three years now, with both kiddos there the last two years. We also LOVE the fantastic teachers who take a nurturing, loving, play-focused approach, and we're grateful for the Director's commitment and excellent communications. The parent community is fantastic, with many opportunities to get to know each other (creatively during Covid) and they've shown a real collective spirit this year. I'll also add that we were initially really drawn to the way the schedule supports working families - in non-Covid time school is open 8am-6pm (no separate after-school fees), and is open more than other preschools we checked out (e.g., only closed for bank holidays, a week in the winter and spring, and four weeks in August). During Covid times school is full-time in-person(8-hour days!!!), with the kiddos outside as much as possible and many safeguards in place

• 2s program for the fall?

  January 2021

  Our kid is at Park Slope Child Care Collective and they are fantastic. Wonderful community, great director, teachers who have been with the schools for 10+ years. The deadline was Jan 1, but I would recommend going ahead and applying. They keep a waitlist and do move people off the waitlist for admission.

• 2s program for the fall?

  January 2021

  Our kids both went to the Park Slope Child Care Collective (near grand army plaza). We had a great experience and made wonderful friends. Very good community.

• 4's

  November 2020

  We are very grateful to be in our third year at the Park Slope Child Care Collective (our oldest started in the 2s in 2018), and fortunate to have both our kiddos in the same 3s/4s class (eight hours per day, 5 days a week). The teaching team is amazing and has made the huge shift to spend as much time outside as possible. We are very happy with the COVID protocols (staggered drop-off/pick-up all outside, entrance temp and symptom checks, thorough health and safety guidelines, masks on except during meals and nap, etc). And the parent community is wonderful and committed to working together. I'm happy to answer questions, and the school is having a virtual open house in early December (www.psccc.org).

• Daycare or school that requires masks?

  September 2020

  Park Slope Child Care Collective is such a place! They may have one spot left for three year olds. We've been there for a year now and are THRILLED with their robust health and safety plans.

• in person child care centers/schools for full time...

  September 2020

  Here to second the wonders of the Park Slope Child Care Collective (St Johns at 6th Ave), which I also believe has a full-time spot. Our eldest is starting his third year there, and our younger will start her second year. It is a wonderful community. We are happy with the healthy return plan (most time will be spent outdoors in Prospect Park or the school's sizable outdoor space, masks will be required for teachers and children, improved ventilation inside, etc).

• 2019-2020 Year Review

  January 2020

  Awesome teacher to student ratio, open a lot and well into summer, amazing loving teachers, admin super accessible … About the facility: Has outdoor space, Has afterschool options, Has early morning hours, Very close to 23 and BQ … What would you change? Walk up lotsa stairs

• preschools

  February 2019

  We are very happy at Park Slope Child Care Collective. I'm not sure if they are still taking applications, but worth a shot to call. The Director, Martha, is fantastic and very responsive.

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

  December 2018

  My son attended PSCCC for two years, and my daughter is there now. It's the most incredible community of dedicated teachers. There's an intentional, play-based pedagogy, not heavy-handed lessons but teaching through loving play. Being there gave my son a real love of learning and a deep self-confidence that he's carried into his public school experience now. They do art, they have music and yoga, outside time and a gym. Also, some of both his and our closest friendships were forged at PSCCC - the parent community is amazing. About the facility: Has outdoor space, Has early morning hours What would you change? Literally nothing, except maybe running 12 months a year instead of 11! Although the teachers do need and deserve their month off in August.

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

  April 2018

  The Park Slope Childcare Collective is a warm, loving, nurturing place for kids to grow. The teachers have been not only working at the school for many years, but also in their classrooms as a group for many years, leading to a very cohesive group that operates very smoothly. With a high teacher-student ratio, all kids are given tons of individual attention and there is never any fear of being lost in the crowd. In addition, the long open hours (8-6), long school year (closed only in August), and convenient location makes PSCCC a perfect place for working families. About the facility: Has outdoor space, Has early morning hours.

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

  April 2018

  Playbased learning, loving and sweet teachers. Caters to working families and is open more days of the year than public school and had after care. About the facility: Has afterschool options.

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

  April 2018

  PSCCC is an absolutely wonderful place. The devoted teachers and staff create a nurturing environment full of play and exploration. About the facility: Has outdoor space, Has afterschool options, Has early morning hours.

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

  April 2018

  We love PSCCC. Our daughter is excited about going to school every day, and the teachers and administration are really caring and responsive. It's a collective, which means parents have to work 18 hours a year, so it's not for everyone, but I feel like that makes it even better - families are really committed, and you get to know people rather than just saying hi at drop off and pick up. The classes go outside most days to the nearby playground, and if for some reason that's not an option, there's a little playground attached to the building that the 2s use regularly that the 3s and 4s can also use. They have a gym inside, too, so they have physical play time twice a day, which is great. There's a heavy emphasis on social emotional learning and creativity, and the kids' art projects are always plastering the walls of the classroom. The teacher-student ratio is fantastic, too, at about 4-to-1. The only drawback in my mind is that it's on the third floor of a church, so if you use a stroller (or are carrying a baby!) you have to lug it up every day - but it's a minor concern, given that I lug that thing up stairs all the time everywhere anyway. About the facility: Has outdoor space, Has afterschool options.

• review for Park Slope Child Care Collective

  November 2017

  This is our 2 year-old son's first year at the Collective, and we have been absolutely thrilled with our experience so far. The teachers and administration are so engaged with all the children and families and the lines of communication are completely open. Our son's communication skills flourished almost immediately after he began - he is so thrilled to go to school every day. Everything is beautifully organized administrationally: Parents are required to contribute 18 hours of work but the opportunies to do so abound so it is quite easy to participate in a way that works with your schedule. The school schedule is fabulous for working parents with flexible windows for drop-off and pick-up, (your child can be in school for as long as 8am to 6pm every day), limited holidays in comparison with other schools, and only 4 weeks off for summer. We fell in love with the school since discovering it at the annual open house, and we feel we unquestionably found the best environment for our child.

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

  July 2017

  Type: Preschool About the facility: Has outdoor space, Has afterschool options Review: This place has been a dream come true for our family. Our son started in the 2s room last year, and this year is in one of the two 3/4s rooms. I can't say enough good things about the incredible teachers, warm, friendly facility and great community at PSCCC. It's one of the few programs we found that offers full day care (drop off any time 8 - 9:30, pick up any time 4 - 6) and it also has an incredibly low student teacher ratio so kids get lots of personal attention. Our shy boy has truly blossomed here and we will miss everyone terribly when we move this summer. Highly recommend!

• Re: Good preschool

  April 2017

  Park Slope Childcare Collective is great and can do part-time (not every day) if they have space. Our son is having a wonderful year there now.

• Review submitted via the PSP Daycare/Preschool 2016 Survey

  July 2016

  Age: 4-5 years Review: The teachers are amazing. They are intelligent, understand kids and consider all kinds of learners when they teach. There are always new and exciting projects for the kids.The flexible drop-off and pick-up is also excellent.

• Review Submitted via Fall 2015 Daycare/Preschool Survey

  November 2015

  PROGRAM: St John and 7th Ave TIME: 3 Days/ Week AGE: 2-3 years REVIEW: PSCCC is a magical, loving, warm space that I would recommend for any family. The teachers are incredible: experienced (most of the teachers have been with the school, as a group for 5+ years), hands on, active, engaging, fun and loving. There is a constant feedback loop both through the teachers in an organic way, as well as through the school in a more formalized way so we always feel connected to the classroom and our child's development. Since starting at PSCCC our daughter has really blossomed and grown. She now calls the other kids her friends, and has true social attachments. Additionally her language and social skills (e.g. sharing, behavior), are markedly expanding. PSCCC is a parent collective, and when you join you are truly part of the Collective family. We all pitch in, feel involved and connected. Martha, the school's directly is amazing and her years of experience really guided the transition period and made it easy for our daughter to acclimate to her new surroundings. WOULD YOU RECOMMEND? (Hi/Rec/DoNot) Highly recommend WOULD YOU DO IT AGAIN? Absolutely

• Review Submitted via Fall 2015 Daycare/Preschool Survey

  November 2015

  PROGRAM: 186 St Johns St TIME: Full days, 5 days/week AGE: 2-3 years REVIEW: Our son has been very happy in this warm, friendly, play-based program. The student to teacher ratio is amazingly low, allowing for a lot of individual attention and a well-managed, calm environment. There is a good balance of unstructured free play and organized group activities, with a focus on hands on, imaginative learning. Most teachers have been there for a long time and the parent involvement in the school (18 hours per parent per year is required) helps build a strong sense of community. PSCCC has been in the neighborhood for decades, and it feels stable and well-established. Our son is growing and flourishing there and we feel lucky to have found them. WOULD YOU RECOMMEND? (Hi/Rec/DoNot) Highly recommend WOULD YOU DO IT AGAIN? Absolutely

• Review Submitted via Fall 2015 Daycare/Preschool Survey

  November 2015

  PROGRAM: St. John's Street TIME: Full days, 5 days a week AGE: 3-4 years REVIEW: We ADORE PSCCC. The teachers are incredible - thoughtful, engaged, active. My son was at another preschool before this, and every time we would pick him up the situation felt really chaotic and one step away from disaster. Here, at pickup he doesn't want to leave, and when we show up everyone is playing with joy but also calmly. The art they do is creative and non-prescriptive - the kids are actually making the art themselves instead of following clear adult steps. There are lots of opportunities for parent involvement in the classroom, which we love. I really cannot say enough good things about the school. WOULD YOU RECOMMEND? (Hi/Rec/DoNot) Highly recommend WOULD YOU DO IT AGAIN? Absolutely

• Review Submitted via Fall 2015 Daycare/Preschool Survey

  November 2015

  PROGRAM: St. John's place and 7th ave TIME: 4 full days AGE: 3-4 years REVIEW: The teachers are great. They provide age appropriate and engaging activities in which kids learn while having fun. The environment is welcoming and kids' emotional needs are met. It is a wonderful place for kids. WOULD YOU RECOMMEND? (Hi/Rec/DoNot) Highly recommend

• Review Submitted via Fall 2015 Daycare/Preschool Survey

  November 2015

  PROGRAM: St John's and 7th Ave TIME: 3 days/week AGE: 4-5 years REVIEW: We LOVE Park Slope Child Care Collective (PSCCC). This is our third year at the school - we started our son in the 2's room, and he's now in his second year of a 3's and 4's room. Every teacher we've worked with (and we've had many, because the adult: child ratio is amazing - 5 adults and 12 kids in the 2's room and 5 adults and 18 kids in the 3's/4's room) is lovely. They truly get to know each child well and communicate their care for her/his well-being in every interaction. They pay careful attention to children's social and emotional development, giving us thoughtful feedback about where our son has challenges and how we can support him, while also celebrating his many strengths. The school is play-based and parents need to be down with that - if kids in a classroom happen to be into reading and writing, lots of that will happen, but the teachers are not going to teach ABC's, do math drills, etc. Instead, they'll help kids learn to make choices about what they want to do, figure out how to join other kids in play, negotiate conflict, etc. They'll also engage kids in art projects and take them outdoors whenever possible, often to a nearby playground but also on trips to Prospect Park, farmers markets, etc. One thing to know is that the teachers are very willing to follow parents' lead around issues like potty-training, teaching kids to get dressed independently, etc. This is great in many ways, but there are times where I wished they would just use their experience to help us help our child a bit more effectively. I sometimes heard friends talking about how their preschools set expectations around potty usage, etc and was jealous. Overall, I can't describe how happy we are with PSCCC. We had the option to send our kid to UPK this year but decided another year with these wonderful teachers (and with childcare from 8am-6pm for 11 months/year) was worth the added cost. And watching our son grow even more this year has really validated that decision. WOULD YOU RECOMMEND? (Hi/Rec/DoNot) Highly recommend WOULD YOU DO IT AGAIN? Absolutely

• Review submitted via the 2014-2015 daycare/preschool survey

  August 2015

  Length of time: Full Days, 5 days/week Child’s Age: 3-4 years Type of facility: Privately run daycare/preschool with multiple classes and teachers REVIEW: The teachers are incredible. Especially impressed with the way they teach the kids to resolve conflicts. They never seem exasperated or bored or betray anger, even when the kids have tantrums or fight with one another—they defuse it immediately in a calm manner, and have them talk it through, not with time outs but with what they call "discussions" which are calm and effective and productive—they take the child or two fighting children aside and have a chat with them and have the children articulate why they're upset and what happened. They instill great values in the children. They embrace diversity—racial, cultural, gender, all kinds of families, and bring it into the classroom in a way that is age-appropriate. The children recognize difference and embrace it, through the books they read and the art that they make. It's play-based learning—the art projects are very creative. Our child, who had some OT issues has dramatically improved his fine motor skills over the year. As well as his social skills. They also spend a lot of time outdoors. They have yoga and music, which is wonderful. My only issue is that the school/teachers could be more communicative on a regular basis with the parents, have more parent-teacher conferences, or email the parents to offer progress reports. They make themselves available if you seek them out, and are very generous with their time and insights—very—but there are only two parent-teacher conferences a school year. Would you recommend? Highly recommend Would you send your child again? Absolutely

• Review submitted via the 2014-2015 daycare/preschool survey

  August 2015

  This member has reviewed this facility in a prior year Length of time: 5 days/week Child’s Age: 2-3 years Type of facility: Privately run daycare/preschool with multiple classes and teachersMix of private daycare plus parent coop. Parents are responsible for 18 hours of work a year but the administration is done by a paid director. REVIEW: We sent our older child to PSCCC a few years ago and now sent our younger one for the past year (and he'll be attending again next year). There are many reasons we love PSCCC: 1/ Only three classrooms at the whole school so all the teachers and administrators in the school know all the kids and the kids know all the teachers. 2/ The teachers love and adore the kids and this comes out in everything they do. 3/ Clear structure and creative activities: There is a clear structure to the day that the kids learn and it helps them know what's coming in their day. And there is so much creativity within that. When we come in the morning, there are always activities set up - homemade plado (different colors every week), drawing, collaging, painting..... I'm always amazed at the activities they are doing. Last week the kids bathed and diapered a baby (doll) in groups of 2 to learn about caring for a baby. Since so many of them have or will have younger sibings, it was so sweet to see them learning about babies and how to be gentle with them. 4/ This is a coop without the parents having overall day to day responsibility. Which means the parents all have responsibility to play a significant role in the school but it allows for a paid administrator to oversee the school. 5/ Accommodates working parents! Drop off is anytime from 8am to 9:30 and pick up is 3pm-6pm. We are always one of the first drop offs and one of the last pick ups and that is fine. In fact, there are some special activities in the afternoon that the kids get to do if they stay later. 6/ The school teaches cooperation and talking about problems. There are no time outs or yelling; rather the kids have a conversation about what is happening and learn to use their words. My son has grown hugely in his own development. Would you recommend? Highly recommend Would you send your child again? Absolutely

• Review submitted via the 2014-2015 daycare/preschool survey

  August 2015

  This member has reviewed this facility in a prior year Program: Threes/fours class Length of time: 3 days a week Child’s Age: 3-4 years Type of facility: Large co-op where parents are involved in the running but there is a paid administrator REVIEW: PSCCC is a very caring and creative environment, with a strong focus on learning through play. We particularly appreciated the teachers' creativity, stamina and kindness; their ability to create a wonderful group dynamic, and the way they got the kids out into the community - not just to the playground but to the local stores and businesses, out on the subway, into the park. Perhaps the thing we like the most about PSCCC is the wonderful families that go there - we feel we have a real community of caring and interesting families. The teachers are across the board very focused on helping the children to socialize with each other, and have given us useful feedback. Our daughter loves it there. Would you recommend? Highly recommend Would you send your child again? Absolutely

• Review submitted via the 2014-2015 daycare/preschool survey

  August 2015

  Length of time: Full time Child’s Age: 4-5 years Type of facility: Privately run daycare/preschool with multiple classes and teachers REVIEW: I would highly recommend Park Slope Child Care Collective without hesitation to anyone who is looking for a preschool program for their child. The school and the community are warm, engaging, nurturing, supportive, and truly care about what is best for the child. The teachers are fabulous - they are always engaged with the children and furthering their learning experience. They truly strive to foster a lifelong love of learning in the children, and tailor their lessons to the children. My daughter has thrived at this school the past two years she was there. I do not have one single negative thing to say about the school, I cannot recommend it highly enough. Bonus for working parents: it is a year long program (september through august) and the hours are 8am-6pm. We love this school so much we opted out of (FREE) public pre-K because we wanted our daughter to stay in this amazing environment. Would you recommend? Highly recommend Would you send your child again? Absolutely

• 2014 Daycare/Preschool PSP review

  November 2014

  Program: Length of Time: Full Day Child's Age: 3-4 years Review: - teachers have been at the school for long tenures which we think speaks volumes to their commitment and love for the program (and many have children who have attended or currently attend the school) - play-based philosophy, very loving environment - expected parent contributions of at least 18 hours of work a year - may not be for everybody, but it helps to create a sense of community quickly as you clean up the school or participate in committees to meet other families - very loving director current at the school, and former parent. while it is a thinly funded school, which comes with some lack of organization due to limited resources, it really feels like a organization that loves its families. the director leads this in her kind temperament and outreach. - laid back about transitions which was nice. work well with families to take care of our needs. good communication about illnesses in the school to keep everyone informed. Recommend (Hi/Rec/DoNot) Highly recommend Would you send your child again? Absolutely

• 2014 Daycare/Preschool PSP review

  November 2014

  Program: Little Stars Length of Time: Full time 5 days a week Child's Age: 2-3 years Review: This is a genuinely excellent facility, run by caring professionals, and uniquely oriented to nurturing your child's imaginative play and fostering a tangible sense of community to boot! Recommend (Hi/Rec/DoNot) Highly recommend Would you send your child again? Absolutely

• 2014 Daycare/Preschool PSP review

  November 2014

  Program: 2s and 3-5s classrooms Length of Time: 4 full days a week Child's Age: 3-4 years Review: Both of our children spent 3 years each at the Collective. We feel like we won the lottery. When our first child was resisting all group activities his teachers seized on his interest in puppets, creating an entire unit around the subject. The kids made puppets, then worked in pairs to create and perform shows with them. We were invited to bring in our Muppet collection from home, and the class took a field trip to Puppetworks. My son was over the moon and became an eager participant. He had a developmental delay that we might never have figured out if his Collective teacher hadn't connected the dots. She helped us to get him the outside help he needed and advocated for him to get continued support in kindergarten, where he thrived. The Collective encourages independence, curiosity, collaboration and kindness. The amazing teachers have been there for 15 to 20 years, which is unheard of in other places. Both our children say it feels like another home, even now and still love to visit. Recommend (Hi/Rec/DoNot) Highly recommend Would you send your child again? Absolutely

• 2014 Daycare/Preschool PSP review

  November 2014

  Program: Little Stars Class Length of Time: Full Child's Age: 2-3 years3-4 years Review: The school has a very clear pedagogy and the activities and learning taking place in the classrooms are designed very intentionally to support the children's exploration and growth - which vary from child to child. There is not one way to learn and absorb information and the teachers introduce play-based activities very thoughtfully, with an understanding that the needs of each child are unique. The school approaches learning through play and not through memorization. The school has a wonderful indoor gym - with age appropriate toys, as well as an outdoor side yard with climbing structures, bikes, cars, etc.. Children are encouraged to work through challenges and frustrating moments. Making sense of feelings and emotions are part of the everyday experience at the school. Instead of time-outs, there are "time-ins," which are used to support a child having a difficult moment that might be causing harm to himself or others. A teacher will remove the kid from the situation, while making sure the child feels safe and not alone. A teacher will sit with the child to discuss the situation - never leaving the kid alone (as in time-out). Teachers are always wiling to provide feedback about our child. Parent-teacher conferences occur during the year to help keep the parents well-informed about their child's growth and development. Recommend (Hi/Rec/DoNot) Highly recommend Would you send your child again? Absolutely

• 2014 Daycare/Preschool PSP review

  November 2014

  Length of Time: Full day, 3x weekly Child's Age: 3-4 years Review: The Park Slope Child Care Collective is truly a special place. My older child attended for 3 years and was well prepared across the board for public K. My younger child is now in her 2nd year there. The warmth and community feeling is evident from the minute you walk through the door. The teachers are experienced, skilled, and loving. Teacher turnover is almost zero. Parental involvement is part of the program and helps build the sense of community. this is a play-based curriculum where social & emotional development are stressed. I've been consistently impressed with the way the school handles parent communication in general & specifically with potential problem situations (biting, squabbles between friends). I have incorporated many of their ideas into my own child rearing. They handle transitions & separations sensitively. Just cannot say enough good things about this place. Recommend (Hi/Rec/DoNot) Highly recommend Would you send your child again? Absolutely

• 2014 Daycare/Preschool PSP review

  November 2014

  Program: Rainbow classroom Length of Time: 3 full days a week Child's Age: 3-4 years Review: We are so happy with PSCCC. The administrator, Martha, is so thoughtful and intelligent. The teachers are wonderful - loving, warm, creative, and very skilled at getting three and four year olds to start learning social skills. My daughter loves the school, and as the youngest in a class of 3s and 4s we are particularly grateful to the teachers for their supportive and loving approach to helping our daughter learn to spend the day with other children for the first time. The other thing we love about PSCCC is how understanding it is about the needs of working parents. The drop off between 8 and 9.30 and pick up between 3.30 and 6 is really critical to the smooth running of a two freelance household! We're also really enjoying the cooperative aspect of the school, where parents take on responsibilities that means we get to know each other and each others' children, and are becoming a real community, but aren't so onerous that we feel frustrated. The perfect match for us. Recommend (Hi/Rec/DoNot) Highly recommend Would you send your child again? Absolutely

• 2014 Daycare/Preschool PSP review

  November 2014

  Length of Time: Full day, 3,4 or 5 days a week Child's Age: 2-3 years3-4 years4-5 years Review: This is a play-based, wonderful, warm inclusive pre-school. The teachers have been there for years, in some cases decades, and are some of the most skilled, loving people I have ever met. Their ability dealing with one child who had severe separation issues was a lifesaver, and they were equally adept with child number two who is very high spirited. There is a twos classroom and two mixed 3-4 rooms. It is not academic, but it is engaging and enriching, and I credit the school with both of my children's emotional and social well being. My older one easily transitioned to kindergarten, which was nothing short of a miracle in my mind. There is also a director that has been there for a few years who is fantastic. Parents are expected to be an active part of the community and volunteer 18 hours per year to help the school function. Diversity and acceptance a very kinds of families is highly valued. It is open 8a-6p, Sept. - July and closes for Christmas week, spring break week, and major holidays. Recommend (Hi/Rec/DoNot) Highly recommend Would you send your child again? Absolutely

• 2014 Daycare/Preschool PSP review

  November 2014

  Length of Time: 3 days/week Child's Age: 3-4 years Review: PSCCC is a warm, nurturing environment. I love the philosophy of play based learning and truly feel that my child is learning more than he would from a workbook. Most importantly the teachers and director work really hard on the social and emotional needs of the children. Specifically, they have been insightful and nonjudgemental when helping me deal with my son's unexpected separation anxiety. 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 (8a-6p) Child's Age: 2-3 years3-4 years4-5 years Review: PSCCC has been an incredible fit for our son and our family. Our two year old started this September after a home visit from some of his teachers, which was a really beautiful way for him to transition. He has consistently come home talking about his teachers and classmate with lots of affection. Our son describes a method of conflict resolution which is both consistent and calm. After seeing other schools, it was clear that the teachers brought both affection and calm to the classroom and really tried to help each individual child explore the the world in their own way. Social/ethnic diversity of the teachers and families was very important to us and this school highly values inclusion and celebration of difference. The best testament is that the teachers and parents of older graduates, those with the most intimate knowledge of how the school works and helps their children, are sending their young ones children to the collective. Recommend (Hi/Rec/DoNot) Highly recommend Would you send your child again? Absolutely

• 2014 Daycare/Preschool PSP review

  November 2014

  Length of Time: Full days, 5 days/week (though the school offers other options) Child's Age: 2-3 years Review: I love PSCCC. My older son went to pre-school here and we were so excited to now enroll our younger son. There are only three classrooms - one two year old classroom and two three-four year old classrooms. The teacher to child ratio is very high - in our son's classroom, there are 12 students per day with five teachers. I can't say enough about great things about the teachers - they are loving and nurturing and most of the teachers have been with the school for many years. There seems to be little turnover. PSCCC is a very warm and caring place. Because the place is small, all the teachers and administrators know my son. There is a clear schedule for every day that the kids learn quickly and come to love. We have a music and yoga teacher who come in once a week to work with the kids. There is also an indoor gym space and outdoor space. The classrooms are decorated with pictures of the kids doing activities, with paintings and other art projects and the space is clean, bright and colorful. The kids regularly take walks around the neighborhood and use the local playground almost daily. This was one of the special things that drew us to the school - getting real outside time seems to be rare at most pre-schools. Communication is really strong; we get regular emails from the Director, Martha Foote, the special activities that the kids did yesterday are always posted outside the door, and during drop off or pick up, there's often time to have conversations with teachers or the Director. Communication is also a skill that is taught in the classrooms. Kids are taught to use their words, and when difficulties arise, the teachers work with the kids to deal with conflicts directly. PSCCC is also a Collective, which means that parents are expected to get involved in the school. Every parent needs to give 18 hours/year in volunteer time, which can mean anything from being a class parent to planning events to helping clean up at school. It's flexible enough to work for anyone's schedule, and it's a great way to get to know the PSCCC community. PSCCC has full time hours (it opens at 8am and closes at 6pm), which is great for working parents. Kids can be dropped up to 9:30am and picked up by 4pm as well. And there are part time options (2 days or 3 days a week) for those who want that. Recommend (Hi/Rec/DoNot) 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: 4 full days Child's age: 3-4 years Review: There is no question that the Park Slope Childcare Collective is a nurturing and stimulating environment and provides high quality care. The teachers are all good--the ones who stand out truly excel at what they do. The head teachers are well-trained, too, having had early childhood education, some of them master's. Some are more energetic than others but the bar is set pretty high for that. I have had two children at this preschool/daycare. One of them turned out to have special needs and had a lot of difficulty adjusting and had some significant social delays. The support and attitude of caring we got from the school is something my husband will always be grateful for. The other child is the opposite so she would probably do well in a variety of settings but again, the fact that she is what's called easy, i.e. adjusts readily, joins in, etc., was also acknowledged and appreciated. My point is it isn't just one or two types of kids who do well here. The field trips/activities were all engaging. I thought the structure of putting the kids into small groups to do activities was good, the artwork my daughter comes home with is actually impressive, she goes off to school excited for the day. The teachers have a lot of insight into what her style of interacting with the other kids is. I know that they really work on things like helping kids overcome shyness. Do you recommend? (Hi/Rec/DoNot) Highly recommend

• (no subject)

  August 2012

  Review Date 2012 Length of TIme: Full time x 5 days Child's Age: 4-5 years Review: We love everything about it. I'd type more but I'm on my iPhone. Do you recommend? (Hi/Rec/DoNot) Highly recommend

• Review from PSP Survey, 2010

  December 2010

  Name of Program:Little Stars (2s) 3 full days per week KID AGE:2-3 years Teachers have been excellent for the most part; philosophy is very centered on "respecting the child," validating, etc., which is great, but if your kid is a boundary pusher like mine, they don't seem to have a cohesive strategy to deal with that. That said, we are very happy overall and lines of communication are always open (with plenty of feedback). The bottom line is that it is a very loving, caring environment for the children. Highly Recommend/Recommend or Do Not Recommend?--Highly recommend Review Date: Fall 2010