It's been 2 years since we left FOP, and I should have written this review earlier since I don't know what's changed since 2016. But the director is still the same as of now, and it does say something, I think, that we remember the school so fondly. In fact, we went back to visit about a year ago, and some of my son's favorite teachers (Maya and Shireen) were still there at the time.
My son started FOP at nine months old! He was a bitty thing and they were wonderful and warm. We loved the baby:teacher ratio (couldn't find anything to approach much less match it when we left), and the play-based learning. (I mean, at that age, really, shouldn't all the schools be play-based?) Some of the artwork he brought home from his time there was so lovely, it's still hanging on my wall!
Mind you, the physical condition of the school when we were there was a little run-down, but they were hard at work on it. And oh boy did he come home filthy everyday, from playing in the yard area--but that's by design, part of their philosophy of letting kids play. Also, there did seem to be a lot of fundraising/volunteering to do as parents, but see the first point about the physical condition needing some work.
The greater campus, though, on which FOP is located could not be lovelier--and they take the babies for buggy rides whenever weather permits, to take in the greenery. Nice plus.
One of the nicer perks of FOP was the advice we new parents were able to seek from the teachers and the director about just about anything baby-related. Sleep time, eating habits, what have you--they were ready to listen and answer questions, give tips as best they could tailored to their knowledge of your own child. So supportive.
When our son aged up, we transferred him to a Montessori much closer to our house, and he had a solid foundation from FOP's social and emotional nurturing, as well as their educational exposure. No trouble transitioning.
Thanks always, FOP, for helping us take care of our new little person. His time with you was a big building block in making sure he'd be this sweet, bright, happy kid. read more