Know of a Reggio in the Indpls. area?

[VocalMinority]

I taught at a co-op school for years, when my oldest were little.  No one I know had ever heard of Reggio Emilia schools, until the woman in charge of our Teachers' Continuing Ed. classes went to Italy to study it and wanted us to try to incorporate some of their approaches.  The way she described it just made us drool!

I have a 3-yr.-old now, who will start some sort of part-time preschool this fall.  I've heard rumors that there's a new Reggio school somewhere in Indianapolis, but I don't know anyone whose child actually attends it...

By chance, does anyone here have any info.?

[SoulJourney]

I'm not sure if you're still trying to find out about the new Reggio school in Indy but it's in partnership with Butler University and will be slowly taking over the building where School #60 currently resides. I spoke with the principal of the school for over an hour one day and he seemed really great. I will say, though, that this *IS* still a public school so there are aspects of the public school system that will be implemented throughout the program. It's just opening this fall, beginning with pre-k and K/1, and adding a grade each year until it reaches 8th grade I believe. I know a lot of people who are sending their children there in the fall but unfortunately the "balanced" year round schedule will not work for us. There was another Reggio based school that opened on the west side but without proper funding they were forced to close their doors after a short time.

On a side note, we have a 5 1/2 year old that I've been homeschooling this past year. Because we've not had fantastic experiences with the co-ops we have tried, DS wants to try school in the fall. Out of the schools we toured and discussed he REALLY wants to go to Paramount School of Excellence. Honestly, even though I am honoring his decision, I really hope that he changes his mind!  So if you know of any great, Montessori based options that do not cost an arm and a leg I'd love to hear! :O)

[jazzbent]

Hi, have you found a Reggio preschool? I too am looking around for my 3 yo and just heard about one called Small Blessings, Inc.on 96th and Zionsville. I haven't visited them yet since I'm hoping to find ones on the westside near me, but haven't had success. Their website is smallblessingsinc.com if you're interested. Let me know if you've found others!

[VocalMinority]

Originally Posted by SoulJourney 

I'm not sure if you're still trying to find out about the new Reggio school in Indy but it's in partnership with Butler University and will be slowly taking over the building where School #60 currently resides. I spoke with the principal of the school for over an hour one day and he seemed really great. I will say, though, that this *IS* still a public school so there are aspects of the public school system that will be implemented throughout the program. It's just opening this fall, beginning with pre-k and K/1, and adding a grade each year until it reaches 8th grade I believe. I know a lot of people who are sending their children there in the fall but unfortunately the "balanced" year round schedule will not work for us. There was another Reggio based school that opened on the west side but without proper funding they were forced to close their doors after a short time.

On a side note, we have a 5 1/2 year old that I've been homeschooling this past year. Because we've not had fantastic experiences with the co-ops we have tried, DS wants to try school in the fall. Out of the schools we toured and discussed he REALLY wants to go to Paramount School of Excellence. Honestly, even though I am honoring his decision, I really hope that he changes his mind!  So if you know of any great, Montessori based options that do not cost an arm and a leg I'd love to hear! :O)

Sorry I missed this response, when you posted it.  I'm interested in the Butler Reggio school and will look into it.  My older sons (twins) attended a small preschool specifically for kids on the Autism spectrum, that was associated with Butler.  (Ironically, it was in the same bldg. that now houses Independence Academy, for k-12 Autistic students!)  

We kept our little one home another year.  He's only 3, anyway.  Do you know whether you have to live in IPS, to attend this school?

[VocalMinority]

Originally Posted by jazzbent 

Hi, have you found a Reggio preschool? I too am looking around for my 3 yo and just heard about one called Small Blessings, Inc.on 96th and Zionsville. I haven't visited them yet since I'm hoping to find ones on the westside near me, but haven't had success. Their website is smallblessingsinc.com if you're interested. Let me know if you've found others!

I looked up Small Blessings, but they really appear to be a daycare.  Perhaps they are doing their best to implement a Reggio-type experience.  If so, more power to them!  But, having taught in various preschools over the years, I really find that there's an unavoidably different environment, when kids are there all day, every day.  Even if your kid is only there for an age-appropriate length of time, the other kids he/she is around will be growing up largely institutionalized.  It's not the end of the world for those kids - it can be done well.  But, if you have the choice, I think it's preferable to put a kid so young in a program that's really designed to meet his educational/social needs (i.e., a little bit of time in "programs", every week, but mostly home with parents), rather than a program designed primarily to keep him happy for however long parents can't be there.

[Polliwog]

I strongly disagree. Some of the best Reggio-inspired programs in this country are full day. And the schools in Reggio Emilia are full day.
 

Originally Posted by Jeannine 

I looked up Small Blessings, but they really appear to be a daycare.  Perhaps they are doing their best to implement a Reggio-type experience.  If so, more power to them!  But, having taught in various preschools over the years, I really find that there's an unavoidably different environment, when kids are there all day, every day.  Even if your kid is only there for an age-appropriate length of time, the other kids he/she is around will be growing up largely institutionalized.  It's not the end of the world for those kids - it can be done well.  But, if you have the choice, I think it's preferable to put a kid so young in a program that's really designed to meet his educational/social needs (i.e., a little bit of time in "programs", every week, but mostly home with parents), rather than a program designed primarily to keep him happy for however long parents can't be there.

[VocalMinority]

Originally Posted by Polliwog 

I strongly disagree. Some of the best Reggio-inspired programs in this country are full day. And the schools in Reggio Emilia are full day.

That is true.  But the Italian Reggio schools are for preschool/early elementary-aged children.  Small Blessings takes infants through age 12 (for after-school care) and has a separate area for kids who need daycare but are too sick to attend "school".  Those things are undeniable hallmarks of daycare.  

Also, there's a difference between "full day" preschool programs with typical full-day school hours (perhaps 8-2; perhaps divided into a morning program, lunch and an optional afternoon enrichment program) and "full day" care, where it may be possible for kids to spend 12 hours a day there.

I'm not saying all daycare is terrible.  No doubt, there is a need for it.  Small Blessings, in fact, sounds very thoughtfully designed.  But if I don't need daycare for my child and am looking only for an age-appropriate educational/social activity, I am not going to choose a facility whose chief focus is providing care during whatever hours working parents need.  I prefer a school like Reggio, Montessori or co-op, where the primary focus is their educational/developmental theory.