2022 Preschool Guide
Finding the Right Preschool for Your Child
Tips to consider and questions to ask when searching for the perfect preschool for your child. (Includes a special preschool visit checklist and preschool vocabulary section at the end.) Read More »
Tell them you heard about them in Today's Family!
Listing of Preschools
Starting Point
Starting Point for child care and early education, a nonprofit agency, is northeast Ohio's child care and early education resource and referral source, serving families, early childhood professionals and the community. Starting Point works to:
- Link families with child care services
- Increase the supply of child care
- Improve the quality of child care
- Stimulate early education alternatives
- Address child care and early education issues
ClevelandMetroSchools.org/EarlyEd
It is the vision of the Cleveland Metropolitan School District (CMSD) that every student in early childhood grades pre-K–grade 3 will be successful in a rigorous instructional program. CMSD’s Early Childhood Program addresses the language and cognitive development of students in addition to social and emotional needs and the physical needs of every child.
The mission of the Early Childhood Office is to create a rich and stimulating, child-centered environment in every classroom. Parents will find developmentally-appropriate teaching strategies in a center-based setting in every classroom. CMSD continually strives to optimize the conditions for learning for their youngest learners. Each student is valued for his or her unique qualities, experiences and learning style as they work toward the ultimate goal of becoming successful and independent learners.
Call (216) 838-3675 to enroll today – seats are limited!
Cleveland Montessori has been serving the Little Italy and Greater Cleveland Community for 27 years.
Students from preschool through 8th grade are met with respect and compassion as they strive to meet their individual potential in beautifully prepared classrooms that offer social, emotional and academic experiences in a diverse and unique urban setting.
A Cleveland Montessori education begins at the preschool level with the focus on developing independence, concentration and confidence to build a foundation for lifelong learning with multi-age children working and learning together. Close proximity to the resources of Little Italy and University Circle provides culturally rich extensions to classroom learning.
Applications for preschool (three and four year olds) are being accepted for the fall. Contact their admissions director for more information and to discuss enrollment for your child.
Communion of Saints School
Corpus Christi Academy Preschool
The Corpus Christi Academy prekindergarten program offers both full- and half-day options to meet the needs of your family. The half-day program is offered M-F from 8:15 am–11:15 am and the full-day program is offered M-F from 8:15 am–2:15 pm. Prekindergarten students will examine their world using a play-based approach that encourages critical thinking and builds confidence as the littlest Eagles learn to soar. Before-care and after-care options also available.
Creative Playrooms Montessori & Child Care Centers
24601 Fairmount Blvd., Beachwood
(216) 464-2600
www.beachwoodschools.org/fairmount.aspx
The preschool environment encourages children to manipulate developmentally appropriate materials and allows them to become confident creative explorers. Hands-on learning activities stimulate and challenge the students to encourage social, emotional, intellectual and physical growth.
The curriculum balances both teacher-directed and child-initiated learning, with an emphasis on responding to children’s learning styles. The curriculum is aligned with the Ohio Early Learning and Development Standards and developmentally appropriate practices.
The preschool follows the Beachwood City School year calendar. Fairmount offers programs for children ages 3–5 years. Three-year-old programs run three and five days a week. Four-year-old programs run half-day and all-day, five days a week. The Young 5’s class is all-day, five days a week for students that turn 5 years old by December 31, 2022.
Fairmount Early Childhood Center is located in Beachwood, Ohio and is open to residents and nonresidents. Contact Karen Leeds, preschool director for more information.
Gilmour Academy
Gross Schechter Day School
One Lyman Circle, Shaker Heights
26001 S. Woodland Road, Beachwood
(216) 831-0700, ext. 1375
mandeljcc.org/preschool
Montessori School of University Heights
The Montessori School of University Heights is celebrating 50 years as a pre-primary school dedicated to helping the child become the unique person his/her Creator intended in a Christian atmosphere of peace, love, and respect. Their approach involves:
- Providing comprehensive, individualized opportunities for growth. Each child is introduced to the materials as the child becomes ready for the concepts that the material embodies. Children develop order, concentration, coordination, independence, and self-discipline.
- Engaging children in a caring, supportive community. Their multi-age environment, serving children ages 3 through 6 years old, provides a family-like atmosphere. Children develop compassion and confidence.
- Respecting each child's developmental abilities and personality. Montessori children enjoy choosing their own work each day guided by adults who are sensitive to each child's unique personality. Children experience joy in learning.
3380 Fairmount Boulevard, Cleveland Heights
(216) 321-7571
www.ruffingmontessori.net
Saint Paschal Baylon Preschool
5360 Wilson Mills Road, Highland Heights
(440) 442-6766
www.saintpaschal.net
University School
us.edu/summer
Junior Kindergarten to Grade 8
20701 Brantley Road, Shaker Heights
(216) 321-8260
Grades 9 to 12
2785 SOM Center Road, Hunting Valley
(216) 831-2200
Starting Point for child care and early education, a nonprofit agency, is northeast Ohio's child care and early education resource and referral source, serving families, early childhood professionals and the community. Starting Point works to:
- Link families with child care services
- Increase the supply of child care
- Improve the quality of child care
- Stimulate early education alternatives
- Address child care and early education issues
All Saints School of St. John Vianney
28702 Euclid Avenue, Wickliffe
(440) 943-1395
www.allsaintssjv.org
For nearly 30 years, The Goddard School has been a trusted name among parents and families. Their classrooms are safe, nurturing environments for children 6 weeks to 6 years, offering age-appropriate opportunities to explore and discover.
Great Day Child Care Learning Center
Madison
2471 Hubbard Road
(440) 428-5993
Middlefield
14810 Madison Road (St. Rt. 528)
(440) 632-1832
Hershey Montessori School
10229 Prouty Road, Concord Township
www.Hershey-Montessori.org
Hope Ridge Preschool
9870 Johnnycake Ridge Road, Mentor
(440) 639-8817
Horizon Child Development Center
8303 Tyler Boulevard, Mentor
(440) 205-8420
1050 E. 200th Street, Euclid
(216) 481-3830
www.horizonchildcare.com
Horizon offers a program for children 6 weeks to age 13. They have an enhanced preschool and pre-K program that includes Creative Curriculum. They are the only center in Lake County to receive a grant from ODE to provide free preschool, for qualifying children who are 4 years old, from 9:00 am–11:30 am, Monday through Friday.
Their summer program stimulates enthusiasm through their piano lessons and educational field trips. They believe that given the right to progress, children become empowered to achieve multiple tasks and develop a willingness to learn.
Whether your children are marvelous at math or adore science, Horizon empowers them to learn through their own curiosity and sense of wonder. They provide ongoing professional development by supporting an award-winning program.
Lake Geauga United Head Start
Painesville Center
350 Cedarbrook Drive, Painesville
West Center
32114 Vine Street, Willowick
(440) 943-0388
Lake Geauga United Head Start, Inc. prepares children ages 3–5 for kindergarten through a fun, social, and innovative program. This free preschool program promotes healthy families by providing these free services:
- Curriculum-based learning
- Hearing and vision screenings
- Developmental screenings
- Disability and mental health services
- Nutrition education
- Family support
- Community resources
To qualify, your child must be 3, 4 or 5 years old and your family must live in Lake or Geauga county and meet the income guidelines.
Lakeland Community College Teaching Learning Center/Campus Kids
7700 Clocktower Drive, Kirtland
(440) 525-7500
www.lakelandcc.edu/TLC
29840 Euclid Avenue, Wickliffe
(440) 585-0800
www.MaterDeiAcademy.us
Mater Dei Academy’s prekindergarten program for ages 3, 4 and 5 strives to provide a creative noncompetitive environment for the young child. Interaction with other children and adults in an atmosphere of Christian love and concern, promotes the healthy development of each child as an individual. Their philosophy is that learning experiences encourage spiritual, intellectual, social and physical growth.
The preschool program creates a setting where your child will develop a positive self-image and become aware of the fact that he/she is a child of God and will grow in His love while developing skills, increasing independence and experiencing accomplishments. Small class size allows for individual attention while allowing your child the enjoyment of being a part of a group and accepting the need to share and cooperate. Children develop math and early reading skills, and explore science through experiments.
Mentor Christian Preschool
8600 Lake Shore Boulevard, Mentor
(440) 257-3172
www.mentorchristian.com
St. Gabriel Learning Loft Preschool & St. Gabriel School
9921 Johnnycake Ridge Road, Concord Township
(440) 354-7574
www.st-gabrielschool.org
Part Time Preschool and My Buddy & Me classes for 2.5-year-olds
Full time (4/5 yr olds) or Part Time Preschool (3/4/5 yr olds) with My Buddy & Me classes for 2.5-year-olds
St. Gabriel Learning Loft Preschool and St. Gabriel School have been preparing graduates for life through faith, learning, and love for over 50 years. With state-of-the art-facilities and one-to-one technology, the preschool offers developmentally appropriate practices for young children that facilitates a deep love of learning to build a strong foundation.
Through compassion, dedication, and expertise, their teachers ignite learning and see their vocation as a ministry. It requires more than knowledge, but a heart with deep love for the children who God entrusted them with to find their gifts and talents to make the world a better place. Their school is a second home where children learn about the world around them and most importantly their wonder, awe, and love for Jesus and His Creation. The Learning Loft Preschool has been voted #1 preschool in Lake County for three years in a row.
St. Mary of the Assumption Wee Learn Preschool
8540 Mentor Avenue, Mentor
(440) 255-9781
www.stmarysmentor.org
8465 Market Street, Mentor
(440) 255-7775
9823 Chillicothe Road, Kirtland
(440) 367-2145
www.SmallHandsBigDreams.com
GEAUGA COUNTY
Starting Point
Starting Point for child care and early education, a nonprofit agency, is northeast Ohio's child care and early education resource and referral source, serving families, early childhood professionals and the community. Starting Point works to:
- Link families with child care services
- Increase the supply of child care
- Improve the quality of child care
- Stimulate early education alternatives
- Address child care and early education issues
Geauga Center
12406 Madison Road, Huntsburg
(440) 636-5387
Lake Geauga United Head Start, Inc. prepares children ages 3–5 for kindergarten through a fun, social, and innovative program. This free preschool program promotes healthy families by providing these free services:
- Curriculum-based learning
- Hearing and vision screenings
- Developmental screenings
- Disability and mental health services
- Nutrition education
- Family support
- Community resources
To qualify, your child must be 3, 4 or 5 years old and your family must live in Lake or Geauga county and meet the income guidelines.
Complete an application online at www.lguhs.org or call (440) 551-9600 for more information.
13013 Chillicothe Road, Chesterland
(440) 729-7806
www.stanselmschool.org