Private Preschool vs. Georgia Pre-K: What Should I Know Before Enrolling?

By Jamie Smith Flatow

Every family wants a preschool experience that sparks curiosity, builds confidence, and honors each child’s unique learning journey. In talking with prospective families, we often hear questions like, “Private Preschool vs. Georgia Pre-K: What Should I Know Before Enrolling?” At Ivybrook Academy, our private preschool goes beyond a one-size-fits-all approach—blending Reggio Emilia, Montessori, and Multiple Intelligences into a beautifully flexible, deeply personalized curriculum. While many prospective families tour our Georgia campuses as they consider our program or Georgia Pre-K, there are several things that stand out in each program that can be the deciding factor(s) for parents when choosing what is right for their child.

What Makes Ivybrook Private Pre-K Different?

  • Child-Centered Curriculum
    Your child’s interests guide each day. Whether it’s building a “robot city” or exploring a budding love of letters, teachers adapt lessons in real time so learning always feels like play.

  • Close-Knit Class Size
    With an average of 10 students per class, our educators truly know each learner—celebrating milestones and gently scaffolding challenges.

  • Flexible Scheduling
    Choose half-day mornings or afternoons to fit your family’s rhythm—no rigid clock-in/clock-out requirements.

  • Allergy & Health Safety
    Individualized care plans mean allergies, dietary restrictions, and health needs are honored on a case-by-case basis, with dedicated protocols and trained staff.

  • Seamless Transitions
    In some cases, our Pre-K graduates move into kindergarten right here—familiar faces, familiar spaces, uninterrupted community. For those who are moving into other educational environments, our students are prepared for whatever comes next as they have been empowered by years of caring educators nurturing their individual love of learning.

  • Attendance Policy That Understands
    We balance consistency with compassion—working with families on make-up days rather than penalizing absences.

Feature Ivybrook Private Pre-K Free Georgia Pre-K
Class Size / Ratio Avg. 1:10 for truly personalized learning Capped at 1:11 (up to 22 children/class)
Curriculum Individualized pacing—accelerate as ready State-mandated curriculum; no acceleration
Schedule Flexibility Half-day options that fit your family’s day Fixed full-day, 6½-hour requirement over 180 days
Allergy & Health Safety Customized protocols for each child Standardized cafeteria procedures
Transitions One campus Pre-K to K, same teachers & peers Likely change schools between Pre-K and K
Attendance Policy Flexible approach with make-up days Strict rules; risk of losing spot after absences

Visit Our Georgia Campuses

Come see how Ivybrook Academy preschool empowers young learners to love school, ask big questions, and forge friendships that last. We’re enrolling now in:

Schedule your tour today and discover why Ivybrook isn’t just another Pre-K option—it’s the place families choose first.

Why Ivybrook?