School #2 - Carousel Preschool

Carousel Preschool
366 Cherry Avenue
4th and Cherry
License No: 198010107 Capacity: 0042
Website
Yelp Reviews

All Photos From School Website

Carousel Preschool is easily one of the most beautiful and well-outfitted preschools I have ever seen. The building is top notch all the way. From the bronze sign by the front door, to the toys and playground equipment, everything is just so. We arrived early on a Monday morning and I think we surprised the Director who'd forgotten that we'd made an appointment to see the school. She was there alone with the kids so she invited us to have a look around while she waited for another staff member to arrive. The school is one main room and a smaller auxiliary room off to the side. The toys and equipment all look brand new but you can tell that they've been played with and cleaned. Everything was beautifully organized and the decor was bright and cheerful. There are separate boys and girls bathrooms with small toilets and sinks and another small sink in the main room with gorgeous and expensive looking tile work above it. In fact, most of what was around at the school looks to be top of the line which we found kind of surprising. E wandered around playing with one lovely toy after another while the Director spoke with 5 or 6 kids outside. Soon another staff member arrived and the tour began. The Director, Joanne, was warm and friendly and very down to earth. She walked around with us and talked about the school.

This is where things began to unravel a little. It just wasn't clear how the program works, what, if any curriculum they have in place, or how the day is structured. It was the most confusing experience! On one hand there is this gorgeous room that looks like it was put together by a team of child development experts with an unlimited budget, but the Director isn't able to tell us exactly what our child will be doing all day. And no, it's not like I wanted a definite schedule or anything, but most schools can give you an idea of how the day unfolds and what to expect- little clues that some type of learning is taking place such as Reading Time, Art Time, Science Time etc. And I am 100% fine with a play-based curriculum, but that doesn't mean an all day free-for-all either.

The outside of the school was neat and inviting with a great play structure and a small track with tricycles. A long garden bed runs along the side and Joanne said that they hope to start a garden soon. She showed us the small room off to the side where a beautiful saltwater fish tank houses some cute clown fish. She did say that the children watch some television and a TV was prominently displayed in the corner of the smaller room which I didn't love, but she assured me that the TV is not turned on every day. The students go on walking field trips to the nearby Alamitos Neighborhood Library, and an annual trip to the pumpkin patch.

I requested a brochure (again, top-notch, high quality folded cardstock - not the sloppily folded pamphlet that's been xeroxed too many times you get at some places) and left the lovely school feeling completely confused about whether or not it is the right place for E. I even called the next day to see if perhaps I could get someone else on the phone and a clearer picture of the program. No luck. I spoke with Joanne again and even though she is sweet and the school looks wonderful, I just don't see any structure or program in place. She explained that their philosophy is play-based, but that was the extent of the information. She also invited us to visit anytime which was very nice of her.

If I were in charge of marketing/program at Carousel I would hire (they can clearly afford it) someone to develop a curriculum for the school. Play-based is wonderful, but when do students actually use that fantastic science table? How does your play-based philosophy shape how you teach certain things? What is the flow of the day? What types of things do students do? People would be knocking down the door of this school if only things were a bit more clear and structured. I would absolutely develop a small schedule and some words about the curriculum to hand out along with their lovely brochure to prospective parents.

Carousel is a play-based school. It only takes children who are 2 years old and potty trained. Lunch is BYO and full time is only $565 - a great price! The school is only at 1/2 of its capacity so child/teacher ratio is excellent.

Conclusion
We loved the look of the school and warmth of the building, but E tends to be shy and thrives on routine. She does better when she's invited to come along and join in whatever's going on. A school at which she was basically left up to her own devices to wander around and find something to do is not the program for us though I do believe certain students could thrive here. I still have no idea what a typical day for E would look like at Carousel. I hope that if you decide to tour the school you will have better luck than I did deciphering the program. I am sad to cross it off of the list.