Guide to Preschools & Parents’ Day Out

Disclosure :: The “2021 Guide to Preschools & Parents’ Day Out” is brought to you by Fort Worth Moms and the many school sponsors listed in this post. Thank you to our sponsors who made this guide possible! We hope it is a helpful resource as you make schooling decisions for your young children. Additional area preschools are listed at the end of this guide. 

What’s the #1 question we are asked??? What preschools do you recommend? Moms want to know the options, where others send their kids, and what educational philosophy those schools abide by. So, we compiled a list of Tarrant County schools that are great options for your little ones. You’ll find a variety of curriculum choices, pricing options, and time slots.

FWM has countless articles to help guide you and your little through the preschool process. Consult our “How to Pick a Preschool” article for tips to consider when making your decision, brush up on tips with “Packing a Preschool Lunch”and “Back to School Supplies.” Cope with the transition in “Those First-Day-of-School Feelings,” “Back to Preschool Blues,” and “Going to Preschool Guilt Free.” Looking for more? Check out our “Guide to Homeschool Co-Ops, Private Schools, & University Model Schools.”

We would like to extend a major thank you to our sponsors, Arborlawn Children’s Academy, Little Sunshine’s Playhouse & Preschool of Southlake, Montessori School of Fort Worth, Play Studio by Green Space, and River Legacy Living Science Center, for making this guide possible!

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Arborlawn Children’s Academy focuses on the social, emotional, spiritual, and intellectual development of the young child. Children are provided active learning experiences in which to discover, create, and explore through guidance and play. The school uses Frog Street curriculum and implement conscious discipline. Learning takes place through learning centers and small group instruction. Small class sizes ensure each child receives individual attention. All classes enjoy a music class with a music instructor and two through four year olds enjoy a weekly Spanish class. Outdoor play is also essential to the success of each day.

• Admission events and parameters: Registration for the 2021-2022 school year, which starts in September, will be March 3, 2021 at 6:00 a.m. online. Please visit the Arborlawn website for registration information.
• Ages: eight weeks – pre-k
• School hours: Monday through Friday 9:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. with the option to extend the day from 2:00 – 4:00 p.m.

Green Space Nature Preschool is a full or part-time program, offering two-, three-, or five-day preschool and outdoor kindergarten. At Green Space Nature Preschool, its mission is to provide a learning environment that is structured around nature play. Children who play outside thrive and show improved outcomes across developmental domains. The school respects early childhood as a valuable period in its own right and creates space for development to unfold naturally, rather than rushing on to the next milestone.

A child-guided curriculum allows your child to explore his or her own interests and ideas, create individual plans and projects, and develop confidence in him or herself and respect for the natural world. Preschoolers and kindergarteners spend the day engaged in child-led learning, with the majority of the day spent outdoors. Its approach is based on the Reggio Emilia philosophy – it is student-centered and constructivist, emphasizing self-directed, experiential learning in relationship-driven environments. The preschool’s early childhood experts have seen the positive impact of high-quality nature play and are committed to creating these opportunities for children to thrive at Green Space Nature Preschool.

On-going enrollment. Complete the Enrollment Interest Form at greenspacenaturepreschool.com to begin the enrollment process.

Ages: three to six years years old

School hours:Nature-Based Preschool: Full day 8:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.; 5-day half day (9:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m. or 1:00–4pm); 3-day half day M/W/F; 2-day half day T/TH. Outdoor Kindergarten: M-F 8:30 a.m.–2:30p.m.

Little Sunshine’s Playhouse & Preschool® of Southlake opened in 2014 and is the only preschool offering a Reggio Emilia-inspired curriculum in Southlake, Texas. The school is located in the heart of Southlake, right down the road from Southlake Towne Center. Monthly tuition rates include formula, wipes, baby food, breakfast, lunch, afternoon snack, and extracurricular activities.

• Ages: six weeks to pre-k
• School hours: Monday through Friday; Monday/Wednesday/Friday; and Tuesday/Thursday 

The mission of Montessori School of Fort Worth (MSFW) is to foster the development of the whole child through dynamic learning communities that encourage children to become independent, responsible, and productive citizens.

MSFW provides a carefully prepared environment for students to grow and excel. Each classroom features a multi-age grouping with a full complement of Montessori materials.

It is accredited by AMS, AdvancEd, and NCPSA. The campus includes seven buildings nestled on a beautiful, two-acre campus conveniently located the Ridglea Hills neighborhood of west Fort Worth.

Request a tour to discover more about the classical Montessori school that was established in 1968. Contact to learn more about its learning communities and the advantages it will provide for your child.

Ages: 18 months to 14 years 

School hours: Monday to Friday, 8:45 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

The Primrose School of Fort Worth at Mira Vista is a new private preschool that opened in December 2019 and provides a premier educational childcare experience. The staff provides a safe and nurturing environment where children thrive. As the leader in educational childcare, the school partners with parents to help children build the right foundation for future learning and life. The goal is to help children have fun while building active minds, healthy bodies, and happy hearts.

At the Primrose School of Fort Worth at Mira Vista, being owner-operated is one of the keys to quality. Bill and Kristy Smith are proud to open this second school after having owned and operated The Primrose School of Columbus Trail for more than 12 years. They are proud to be a part of both these organizations and the lives of Primrose families. They enjoy working with the great staff and continuing with the educational philosophy that Primrose offers.

Sister School – The Primrose School of Columbus Trail, also owned and operated by Bill and Kristy Smith. 5330 Columbus Trail, Fort Worth, Texas, 76123. Please call Columbus Trail at 817-423-4000 for more information.

• Admission parameters and events: Admissions occur year-round
• Ages: six weeks to 12 years
• School hours: Monday through Friday from 6:30 a.m. – 6:30 p.m.

River Legacy Nature School provides an environment that encourages a child’s inborn sense of wonder and curiosity to flourish! Indoor and outdoor explorations at River Legacy Living Science Center introduce children to the natural world and the wildlife and plant life found within it.

Children ages three to five and six (not yet enrolled in kindergarten) attend class once weekly for 30 weeks, September through May. Twice a week classes available for four year olds. Every session includes a trip into the woods, weather permitting, where classroom lessons come to life. Balanced curriculum encourages a hands-on, minds-on exploration of nature, enhanced through music, art, literature, and dramatic play. Ratio of two highly qualified teachers for every nine to 12 children guarantees personal attention.

Three year olds focus on River Legacy Park’s animal and plant life, exploring what they need to survive. Opportunities to encounter ladybugs and snails, earthworms and opossums, native wildflowers, and so much more build understanding of nature’s diverse life forms.

Four, five, and six year olds (not yet enrolled in kindergarten) turn their attention to River Legacy Park’s habitats and how they meet the needs of creatures that live there. Among the units of study are The Living Tree, The Forest Floor, The Decaying Log, and The Creek. A growing understanding of the interdependence between animals and plants fosters an appreciation of nature’s delicate balance.

• Admission parameters and events: Dates coming soon!
• Ages: three to five and six years old (not yet enrolled in kindergarten)
• School hours: Half-day classes are from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m., and full-day classes are from 9:00 a.m. to 1:55 p.m.

Saint Rita Catholic School has served students and families in the Fort Worth area for over 65 years, offering academic excellence in the Catholic tradition in a nurturing and diverse environment for students entering Pre-K through 8th grade.

Our early childhood program focuses on teaching children through play and exploration. Within our core curriculum, students receive daily instruction in language arts, math, religion, as well as social skills and fine-motor development. Enrichment courses such as art, physical education, music, Spanish and technology are also included. Families with children ages 3 or 4 years old by September 1st are invited to visit our school or to apply.

• Admission parameters and events: Enrollment for new families begins February 7, 2022. Shadow days, tours, or visits can be scheduled on the website.
• Ages: Pre-K through 8th grade. (As of September 1, preschool students must be 3 or 4 years old.)