Tanner Dance, University of Utah

The Fine Arts Preschool, run out of the Tanner Dance facility, is, without a doubt, the BEST preschool in Salt Lake City. I researched dozens of preschools, and personally toured 10, yes TEN, and this school blew all the others out of the water. 1st ~ The teachers are highly educated, and incredibly experienced. All the research on preschools shows that the #1 factor in a successful program is the education and quality of the teachers. Many of these educators have over 30 years of experience. They don't get thrown off guard, they have tried and true methods, and they are also incredibly creative and energetic. They are passionate teachers. And they are incredibly well organized. The details they are juggling, with such ease, is mind blowing. These are professional, experienced, educators ~ not high school kids looking for a part time job. 2nd ~ the curriculum is amazing. Meaning, it IS a curriculum, this is not just kids playing with blocks while the teachers gossip in the corner, and this is not daycare. The children have classes weekly in dance (including Friday yoga,) the visual arts (where they learn and use modalities linked to famous art works, culminating in a huge student art gallery) music (building from percussion, to wind/horn, to stringed instruments,) theater (building props, understanding character development, cooperation in creating productions,) and creative writing (where they learn to form narratives based on literature themes.) This is not a rigid academic program. I'm a child psychologist, and frankly, pushing "academics" via flashcards and worksheets is just totally inappropriate for a 3-5 year olds brain. This is 3 dimensional learning, with a great emphasis on being part of a community, including conflict resolution, social rules, etc. Hands-on experiential learning is the best way for a child's brain to grow at this stage of a child's development. (but if you're looking for flashcards, this isn't the right program for you.) 3rd ~ magic. They have these incredible magical themed days throughout the year that integrate books, music, dance, food, costumes, sets, everything. Magic days included The Teddy Bear Picnic, The Royal Ball, a Thanksgiving Feast, Winter Wonderland, Gnome and Fairy Garden Day etc etc. These are incredible. 4th ~ They do field trips to a children's theater production and to the museum with age appropriate activities. This builds real excitement for the arts "in the real world." 5th ~ the kids LOVE IT. The children feel loved, safe, and so so happy. My children blossomed, it was such a fabulous introduction to "school." I never heard any resistance to going to school, they were so happy there. And the teachers were so patient with children who were experiencing anxiety about being away from parents for the first time, they were wonderful. Finally - they've thought through all the details, including coming out to the car to pick up and drop off your child right into and out of their car seat, so if you're juggling other children you don't have to get them in and out. It's a breeze! And they welcome parents coming and checking things out (unlike one school I went to that firmly discouraged parents from volunteering or dropping by during the day, which made me uncomfortable.) I felt 100% comfortable with my kids there. They also have a live pianist playing to the dance class, which is incredibly rare. Plus the facility is quite lovely - a real dance and art studio, which is so unique. Many preschools are stuffed into windowless basements. This has huge 20 foot ceilings with lots of light. Beautiful. I can't say enough. It is AMAZING. I would highly recommend it.

Love dancing here. Great teachers, love the atmosphere.

Beautiful new building. Great design.

Tanner Dance has created a lovely community where creativity thrives.