PRIMROSE PRESCHOOL
How would you describe your educational philosophy for preschool-age children? Our exclusive early learning approach balances purposeful play with nurturing guidance from teachers to encourage curiosity, creativity, confidence, and compassion. Our research-informed approach to teaching, learning, and care
is unparalleled. We deliver more than a curriculum; it’s a life-changing early learning experience for children and their families.
What should parents know about your teachers and classroom environment?
Balanced learning is our exclusive, time- tested approach. Created from the best early education wisdom, it balances purposeful play with nurturing guidance from teachers to encourage curiosity, creativity, confidence, and compassion. The Primrose classroom equipment, materials, books, and toys; teacher training and student assessments, along with the school-home connection—all intentionally aligned to engage children in developmentally appropriate learning.
How do teachers partner with parents throughout the years?
The Primrose Balanced Learning approach does not leave a child’s learning and development to chance. There is a detailed road map for teachers allowing them to focus on each child—observing, assessing, and adapting the journey. We use a suite of assessment tools along with online and in person parent communication tools. Daily conversations, school events, and parent teacher conferences help us build the trust and comfortable environment that welcomes families into the Primrose community.
How do you help children prepare for the transition to kindergarten?
At Primrose, we foster Kindergarten Readiness. Being ready for kindergarten a crucial part of your child’s educational journey. That’s why Primrose school teachers utilize our Balanced Learning curriculum to foster the skills children need for the future. As a result, 97% of Primrose Pre-K students demonstrated kindergarten readiness per the Bracken School Readiness Assessment. Primrose Students acquire the academic and social-emotional concepts needed to be ready for kindergarten.
If you could describe your school in three words, what would they be?
Commitment to Service Excellence
What are 1–3 events you have every year that families and children look forward to?
Caring and Giving events that help support the developing thought of giving without expecting to receive, our annual Bountiful Book Drive each February where all Primrose Schools collect new and gently used books to give to a local children’s non profit, and our annual Can A Thon each November.
BIG BLUE MARBLE ACADEMY
What does a typical day look like for a child in your program?
In the classroom, we blend play, exploration, and structured activities to provide each of our learners with an experience that suits their learning style and progress at their own pace. Each lesson and activity is designed
to hone foundational skills, such as critical thinking, creativity, and collaboration.
How would you describe your educational philosophy for preschool-age children?
At Big Blue Marble Academy’s locations in Birmingham, we are nurturing little minds and growing big hearts for a better world. A child’s first five years build the foundation of their lives—establishing the hard and soft skills they need to love learning and their communities, while being successful in the classroom and beyond.
We want our children to be good citizens in their current community and the larger world, so our Passport to Learning® curriculum was designed to enable students to reach their developmental milestones, while appreciating different cultures around the globe. Our Heart Project service learning initiatives also help them to take action and understand they can make a difference now.
What should parents know about your teachers and classroom environment?
We understand the many factors that go into choosing an early childhood education provider, as well as the challenges many parents face when leaving their children in the care of others throughout the day. BBMA works hard to be a welcoming and comforting presence for your child, and part of our families’ villages so all of you can thrive.
How do teachers partner with parents throughout the years?
We know it can be challenging to leave your child in the care of others. Our teachers and support staff work to put you at ease by keeping open lines of communication.
Whether you prefer verbal updates during drop off and pick up or photos throughout the day via our parent communication app, we’re always eager to share how your child is doing in our care. For behavioural or other classroom issues, our director will schedule a meeting to discuss how you can work together to find a solution at school and home.
How do you support children with different learning styles or developmental needs?
For children with varying learning styles, our schools and curriculum are designed to meet the needs of different students—with flexible seating, sensory activities, and expansive classrooms.
How do you help children prepare for the transition to kindergarten?
Our proprietary curriculum, Passport to Learning® was designed using the latest early childhood education theory, best practices and research. This curriculum not only helps them to grow academically, but it also helps them to build social and emotional skills. Last year, 94% of BBMA Pre-K students met or exceeded kindergarten readiness benchmarks across all five key developmental areas: language and literacy, cognitive development, social-emotional learning, physical development, and approaches to learning.
If you could describe your school in three words, what would they be?
Nurturing, Engaging, and Structured
What are 1–3 special events you host?
We host annual holiday celebrations, but what our students get most excited for
are our Heart Project events. Each of these service learning initiatives, from our Alex’s Lemonade Stand fundraisers to our Change for a Change events, get our students involved and excited.
