Stoneybrook Community School

I have had 2 kids that have attended this preschool. It has been the best experience for myself and for my kids. I take what social lessons they learn at school and use them at home. My 6 year old is now excelling in 1st grade and I give partial credit to the preschool and credit to my child’s personality. They learned to work with others in a safe and risky way. My 3yr old is able to stretch their imagination, learn how take care of their things, prioritize using words to solve their problems and play as well as a 3 year old can. I trust the teachers. I trust the teachers discuss every child’s experience and ways for them to feel successful. This school balances outside play with small and large parts, crafts, problem solving, the experience is fluid and I don’t miss a minute of it. I get daily pictures and videos. I get feedback about my kid while during check in or check out. I love this Stoneybrook Hollow!

Any child who gets to attend Stoneybrook Hollow is a very, very lucky child. After attending this school for two years, my four year old is not only beginning to read and has a good understanding of number concepts, but is also learning emotional intelligence, how to set and respect boundaries, how to work through big feelings, and how to resolve conflict with peers. She has so much curiosity for the world around her and is so excited about learning. She loves being in nature and says things like "Mom, can we go on a walk? I need to notice nature and get some peace." It's well established through research in the Early Childhood Development world that play is not only the most effective way for children to learn, but integral to their healthy development. Unfortunately, our current school systems are not following these findings and it is very difficult to find school programs that are truly play based and focused on whole child learning. Stoneybrook Hollow is a rare gem of a school that not only prioritizes free play, but also provides meaningful ways for the children to learn academics, emotional intelligence. My favorite aspect of the school is the priority on spending lots time outside, regardless of the weather. I had never even heard of mud or rain suits before my child attended this school, but now we own multiple and use them all the time! It has changed our family culture and helped us prioritize time outside at home in any weather. Stoneybrook Hollow has not only provided a warm, safe, magical place for my daughter to learn and grow, but a wonderful community of friends for my entire family. I cannot sing the praises of Miss Anna and what she has created loudly enough. She is making a true difference in our community, and every child deserves a school like this!

I cannot recommend Stoneybrook Hollow enough! They offer such a diverse educational experience from the well thought out classroom to the time spent outdoors to the child led program. It has been the best decision for our children! Miss Anna cares so deeply about each and every one of the children in her program. She is so devoted to preserving childhood and puts so much thought into each day at the school. We are so grateful to have found Stoneybrook Hollow!

I cannot say enough wonderful things about Stoneybrook Hollow! Anna is absolutely amazing — she’s like a second mom to the kids, full of warmth, patience, and genuine care. Her passion for nurturing each child’s unique interests is evident every day. The program focuses on child-led learning, which I love! Each child is encouraged to explore, question, and grow at their own pace, making learning feel natural and fun. Outdoor play is a huge part of their day, and it’s such a refreshing approach. The children get to run, play, and explore in a safe, welcoming environment that fosters creativity and teamwork. There are always fun team-building activities that help the kids develop social skills while working together. The entire space is designed with care, offering a cozy yet stimulating atmosphere where the children feel right at home. If you’re looking for a preschool that values the child’s voice and encourages independence, this is absolutely the place to be!

For two years I searched for an outdoor/play- based preschool option in the Kaysville/Layton area. There are some really good ones in the Ogden area, but it was too far for my family. I'm so grateful I found Stoneybrook! We are so lucky to have Ms. Anna as a resource in our community! Play, especially outdoor play, is so important for all children and their cognitive (well, whole-child) development---but it's very difficult to find. I wish more children had access to the program Ms. Anna offers. The children begin inside with self-directed play in a beautiful, clean environment. The second half of the day is spent outside playing and collaborating with simple materials (tires, wood planks, child-sized wheelbarrows). I have a child who needs to move, needs to talk out loud. It's obvious he needs this kind of school, but I strongly believe every child needs this whether it's obvious or not. I love the adaptive quality of Ms. Anna's curriculum. She observes carefully and plans activities around their interests. My son was introduced to concepts of ancient history, passage of time, archeology, place, and native American history all because he and his friend found an old brick in the outdoor space and they had all sorts of questions---they were 4! Their questions lead to a line of inquiry that is still active---my son asking about the creation of the moon, did it happen before or after---, etc. etc.! He told me he needed to put it on the timeline at school! I decided to register him for kindergarten at Stoneybrook because it is such a special place. Ms. Anna and the assistant teachers are all pretty magic and I honestly get teary at drop off because I can't believe this school exists.