Not Just Play

My daughter was a previous student at Not Just Play. She started at 3 years old and graduated there. Thanks to the wonderful staff, my daughter was beyond prepared to start kindergarten as a young 5. I was worried about sending my little Covid kid with separation anxiety out into the world so “early”. But it made all the difference. Highly recommend.

I knew my son would benefit from starting school at age three to help develop his social skills, especially as an only child who is mostly around adults. At the same time, I wasn’t ready to place him in a traditional public school setting where the days are long, the schedules are demanding, and the learning pace can feel overwhelming for young children. Not Just Play provided the perfect introduction to school. It allowed him to ease into the experience—building confidence and comfort at his own pace rather than being thrown into it all at once. I truly believe young children thrive when they are given the opportunity to gradually adjust to structure and learning, and this program does exactly that. Since starting, I’ve seen incredible growth in both his social and academic development. What stands out most is how naturally it happens. The learning is thoughtfully woven into play, which keeps children engaged without feeling pressured. When my son feels pushed, he tends to shut down—like many kids his age—but in this environment, he’s excited, curious, and eager to participate. Now he’s writing, spelling, singing songs from class, and regularly sharing what he’s learned—even days later. Recently, they’ve been learning about plants, and he’s been proudly telling me about everything from what grows underground to how things develop. And this is all from just a few hours a week! The teachers are truly exceptional. They communicate clearly and consistently about weekly lessons, projects, field trips, and special events—including holiday parties where parents are welcomed. It creates such a strong sense of community and involvement. What I appreciate most is their commitment to individualized attention. They take the time to work one-on-one with children when needed, recognizing that every child learns differently. That level of care, patience, and understanding is invaluable at this age and is truly at the heart of what Not Just Play stands for. These are just a few of the many reasons our family loves Not Just Play. If you’re reading reviews and considering it, I can confidently say it’s worth your time. I highly recommend attending an open house or scheduling a private tour with Mrs. Amy—you’ll quickly see what makes this place so special. 😃 We're looking forward to next year of year 4's!

My son goes to Not Just Play and the growth shown socially & academically from this school compared to public school is outstanding! It is worth every penny and I'd recommend anyone here that is considering preschool for their children.

We have sent both of our boys to Not Just Play, and it has been an amazing experience for our family. It is a fantastic preschool, and we have been so happy with the program over the years. I strongly recommend this school to any parent wanting the absolute best for their children.

This preschool is amazing! We love that the school is play-based and dedicated to facilitating learning that is developmentally appropriate; our daughter has learned so much and all in a fun, creative way. Miss Amy and the staff have helped create so many special memories for my daughter and our family through field trips, holiday parties, special events, etc. We could not have imagined a more positive introduction to school. We made the drive from outside St Clair County to attend school here for 2 years, and would do it again in a heartbeat.