Thirty years ago I and a group of very close friends (all with children under five years of age) met one evening to convince one of our group to start a pre-school program. We were strongly frustrated by the lack of quality pre-school options. Quality for this group of moms was all about play rather than early academics. We wanted art, music and the outside to fill our little ones day. This musician mom was free-lancing as a music teacher at a number of local pre-schools. We convinced her that she would be a great in her own pre-school. We started in a rental space in a local church. Now, thirty years later we have our own facility and programs for children from birth to six years old. We achieved our mission as has the school. Sunflower Creative Arts is a very special place as every parent, child and staff member will attest.
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As part of my review I was asked to rate this non-profit organization (Sunflower Creative Arts). As a founding mother and strong supporter since its inception I would love to give Sunflower ten stars (but five is the max). I am a mother of two grown daughters (one recently a mother herself). My youngest was with Sunflower's in it's first year. I have always embraced the value of children's autonomous play in supportive environments. Sunflower enables children to grow strong by allowing each child to 'own their own time'. They are trusted to choose both their playmates and their activities. Play resources and caring staff create a wonderful leaning environment. This is the road to independent, solution driven children.
Both my kids went to Sunflower Creative Arts. You know a program is fantastic when it's perfect for two very different preschoolers (one into dancing, drawing and meeting everyone in sight, the other an introverted reader). Even when they moved on to other schools Sunflower stayed in their hearts. I was and will always be an adoring fan of this program, which puts kids, nature, music, art, social skills and fun way ahead of pushing early academics. (My kids ended up doing great academically, so the later start certainly didn't hurt them.)
My now teenaged daughters participated in the Seedling Preschool Program. What an eye-opening experience it was for me as their mother to see and understand the importance of play and how it’s a foundation for learning. Wonderful memories forever etched in my heart: dirty feet, lots of sand, going to the “valley” for more playing, the birthday candle with everyone adding a pinch of wax, sharing time, snack, songs, dress-up, and one of the best memories: Susan Caruso! We as parents also benefitted from Seedlings and other Sunflower programs: working alongside the other moms, dads, and grandparents on the busy, yet fulfilling helper days, attending Share & Learn workshops, meeting one on one with Susan, and just witnessing the joy and excitement in all of the children. It’s such a blessing to have Sunflower Creative Arts in our community.
I first became involved with Sunflower Creative Arts as a new mom in 2013. Sunflower has been a key part of my family's life in helping to develop and shape our role as parents and community members. In our current fast-paced and high tech society, with a growing mental health crisis in children, teens, and young adults, Sunflower offers an innovative mission by allowing children to simply play outdoors and enabling parents to experience "the village" through community. I am here because of Sunflower's unwavering advocacy for evidence-based evolutionary education for young children and their families.
Sunflower was instrumental to my child education as well as my growth as a parent. We are so lucky to have Sunflower and all the wonderful teachers and staff as part of our story.
I cannot say enough about the ways that the Sunflower Programs created the space for my family (parents and child!) to flourish! When he got his first job, our son commented that he learned to make decisions at Seedlings. He meant that he was prepared for work by his experiences there. We found our home as parents there, too, and find that what we learned spills over into our professional lives (we don't work with kids!).
Our daughter started Sunflower in Summer Camp in 2020 as her first care program after COVID shut downs. We liked that it was based outside, free play, environmentally-minded and nature-based. We have continued attending summer camp every summer since and she looks forward to attending and other events. This was our first year building the Ice Castle and she loved that too. We have attended Gather in the Garden as well and I myself participated in Sunflower's Bridge program. Now I'm on the Board! Our relationship with Sunflower has grown, as our daughter has grown, and Sunflower has been a significant part of that path. She's happiest outdoors climbing trees and digging in the dirt and I love that about her and feel that Sunflower was an integral part of her love and appreciation for all living things, including the tiniest bugs. Thank you Sunflower!
My adult child went through the Sunflower program about 30 years ago. He told me that he learned from the Sunflower program to make decisions. Children are not led by adult's decisions. Instead, they explore via play in nature, and learn how to resolve conflicts with guidance of the staff. The staff provides an important role model for the children.
I have volunteered at Sunflower events for many years. The energy and the community are fabulous. My favorite event is Ice Castle festival.
My children attended Sunflower Creative Arts from 2015-2021. My most treasured memories of Sunflower were as a parent helper in my children’s classes. Sunflower has a preschool parent cooperative program that requires parents to volunteer and help during the school day. When I walked into Sunflower’s playscape, I became a kid again, and I think the kids knew it because they treated me like I was one of them—my time with the children consisted of my kids introducing me to their friends, playing games, being chased by children, making paper airplanes, and children jumping on top of me. The parent involvement aspect of Sunflower is rich. Parents help during class time but also on work days where they would help clean up the playscape and meet other families while doing so. Being at Sunflower felt like we were raising our children in a village.
Sunflower Creative Arts has been a part of our family since 2015. My children and I attended most of Sunflower’s programs: Sunflower Babies, Circle of Song, Little Seedlings, Seedlings and Roots and Shoots. Sunflower not only helped in the healthy and happy development of my children but also played an integral part in having a healthy parenthood. Through Sunflower, I learned how to help foster creativity and curiosities in my children and other children when I was part of the Build and Play team. Sunflower’s Build and Play community program brings the 3 essential elements of Sunflower - Play, Nature and the Arts into the community through offering Build and Play sessions at schools, libraries, and children's gardens. At Build and Play sessions, I’ve seen first hand what happens when children are given STEAM materials, encouragement, and the freedom to play. I’ve seen children build the Saturn V rocket out of cardboard boxes, paint the national flag of their birthplace or parent’s birthplace with pride, encourage one another through complimenting others on their creations and helping when someone feels “stuck”. I’ve seen elementary children approach a conflict with openness and empathy and negotiate to come to a compromise. At all the Build and Play sessions I’ve participated in, children always invent, create, collaborate, communicate far beyond the boundaries of the classroom and show us their potential, individuality, and joy through play.