Olmsted Falls Early Childhood Center

Updated review: it's summer, kiddo had finished K. And I cannot say enough good things about his teacher Ashley Lieu. She's a true gem for this building and a reflection of the culture that Jennifer Jackson is instilling in it. She reached out midsummer to wish Matt goodluck with 1st grade. So above and beyond and really shows how much the teachers care about the kids. I'm still blown away. The ECC has been a great fit for our 5yo. He loves his teacher Ms. Lieu -- and she really does an excellent job of communicating with us. It's been really great to see him progress over the past few months. And I can tell it's sinking in because he'll come home and say things like mommy chrysalis is spelled "c-h-r-y-s-a-l-i-s". Or he'll ask me to give an example of a diagraph (and after a quick Google search of what the heck a diagraph is), I respond with "luck" and he tells me that's too easy of a word and that mustache is a more fun one. 🤣 Our son went from being disenfranchised with school -- telling us how much he hated preK and was bored -- to actually looking forward to going. And the way the school pumps them up for getting ready for 1st grade is great too. He came home the other day saying he's excited to be a first grader because he's going to be ready and do great at Falls Lenox. Some of the things that he says (that I know he's learning from school) blow my mind. Another example, he was in kind of a grumpy mood the other day and I went to give him a kiss and he said "No mommy I don't want a kiss". And I did it anyway and he said "Mommy you have to respect me when I say no, no means no, and that was not respectful." Again, blown away! And I know it's because he's learning that as part of the bulldog way stuff (sorry I forget the technical terms). But he comes home talking about the be safe/respectful/responsible/kind stuff regularly. And that was an example of him applying it. I was so proud! And, although I was not sure whether he would be challenged with reading/writing, the way the classroom dynamics work, he still is. First, they go really in depth into what makes up the parts of words and sounds etc (ex diagraph from above), so for the kids that are already reading etc, it gives them extra practice and they can learn that stuff. Also, they're given lots of opportunities to explain what they're reading which further cements their understanding. For example, he was reading hardy boy books a few months ago, but sometimes struggling with what the books were getting at. After a few months of ECC, he's still reading these books but after he can tell me the story -- with discernable beginning, middle and ends. He's also devouring them at a much faster pace because he's engaged. ECC also gives opportunities to celebrate children of all abilities. For example, yesterday they did a clap-out and sang the bulldog cheers for some classmates competing at the Special Olympics. They had made signs in advance. Ms. Lieu sent a video (which was adorable). But my kiddo came home and was SO excited about this -- and I heard the "let's go bulldogs" at least few dozen times last night. One of the kids that went is somebody that my son says is one of his "best friends". And I appreciate that they have an environment where they're teaching kids to see each other as people. Lastly, is the communication. ECC, and OFSD in general is pretty good at communicating. As a parent, you can stay as engaged or disengaged with that as you want. Ms. Jackson puts out the weekly newsletter, Ms. Lieu has a weekly classroom newsletter, the school district has a blog, and there's a flyer that comes to the house every so often. Now, I've found the class newsletter imperative. And Ms. Jackson's a close second because she has so many good references not just to school and school related events -- but also community events. One quick warning, I had Ms. Jackson's going to spam so I didn't know about it for the longest time -- so not to sound like 2005, but check your spam folders, at least initially! We're so lucky to be ECC Bulldogs ❤️

Great staff! My son Gunner has grown leaps and bounds in the last 2 years with the help of these amazing ladies.