Upstream Learning

I have had a wonderful experience at this school. My daughter started in Upstream two years ago. She has had the same teacher the entire time. That is 2 years of zero turn over at her level. The preschool we tried before upstream had a turn over of 3 – 4 teachers in a year! I am very glad that my daughter has been with Ms. Becca for the past two years and has not had to adjust to a new teacher every couple of months.
The director is not only incredibly knowledgeable about children’s development and learning but also very helpful and kind when discussing my daughter’s progress. For example, when my daughter started reading early she pulled me aside and took the time to discuss options to give her the right level of challenge in the classroom. The director created an individualized schedule just for my daughter that would allow her to be with students that were reading at the same level. Personally, I find comfort in the fact that they have gotten to know my daughter so well throughout these years that they are now are able to really modify and adapt the curriculum to her needs.
Also, as a former high school teacher, I feel that the structure and leadership at Upstream allow the teachers to focus on teaching. You can’t really have a space for learning where students can listen and ask questions if teachers do not know how to manage a classroom. I have been so impressed with Ms. Becca classroom management and the way she can transition students from one activity to another without wasting time in the process. I am currently a stay at home mom as I have a new baby, and I show up to pick up my 4 year old at various times throughout the day. I have never seen chaos at the school and have actually been impressed by how consistent and relaxed the environment is, regardless of the time I come in. This stands out as one of the main reasons why I pulled my daughter from her previous school, as my experience before Upstream at a big name chain was that of a teacher with lack of classroom management skills, in which kids ran wild for most of the day in between poorly planned activities. I believe Upstream understands how children learn best and have put in place the operational procedures that make this school run well without chaos. The teachers are also clearly well trained and even take several professional development days throughout the year to improve on their skills.
I highly recommend this school!