I love this place. The classes are small, the teachers are terrific, as is Carolina, the director, and it's been just right for my kid. I was terrified of the whole Park Slope School Search thing - interviews, applications, blah blah. I wanted something that avoided that kind of ratrace for as long as possible, and I found it. This is the kind of school I remember going to: warm, but encouraging independence, structured but creative. It's definitely not a helicopter parent place that is predicated on the idea that one parent is at home (none of this "Mommy joins every day for a month" nonsense). And it's not as crazy expensive as some of the other places.
I love the independence my kid has gained (that's the Montessori influence, I think), and the skills (not just Spanish), and the confidence. It's small, and it might not be for you, but it's perfect for us. They just got a class turtle, for Pete's sake. How much more awesome could it be?
-Christine K., Brooklyn, NY
"This is the sweetest little school. Just a few weeks into the school year I can see the difference in my daughter - little things like knowing to stop and put her backpack away as soon as she comes in the door, or the right time to apologize for accidentally konking her brother on the head. Every day (weekends too) she wakes up and asks if she can go to school and see her "Guias".
I'm so grateful that her first experience with school is such a warm, safe, structured place - it has set a pro-school tone that I hope she carries with her the rest of her life."
-Deirdre, mom to Frances (returning student)
"This is the second year our son has attended the preschool at El Pequeno Artista and we are very satisfied with the program.
The Montessori method has helped him grow more independent and self-sufficient. He is always picking up after himself, dressing himself in the morning and eager to help me in the kitchen. In class, the children are very well-behaved and focused on their “work” in a calm environment with no running around and screaming, which is all too common in non-Montessori preschools.
At the end of the day, our son is very proud of what he worked on in school. The teachers at El Pequeno are warm and friendly and are always open to new suggestions. The extra plus is that the school is conducted entirely in Spanish! It has absolutely strengthened his Spanish language skills and has encouraged him to continue to speak Spanish at home. We highly recommend El Pequeno Artista! "
- Sorayya, mom to Khalil (returning student)
"Our experience with El Pequeno Artista has been amazing!
This is our second year at the school. Our 3- year-old has started using Spanish phrasing at home, without being prompted and is very self motivated and confident, in part because of the Montessori philosophy. He's also made his first "best-friend" at school and the family has become our friends too!"
- Jen, Albert and Cole
