Frequently Asked Questions

Balanced Learning is a unique blend of the two most effective strategies in early childhood education: “teacher-directed,” where teachers use research-based curriculum to guide children along a continual learning path, and “child-initiated,” where children pursue individual interests through play and exploration. Teachers support children’s learning by addressing subjects such as language and literacy; physical development and health; mathematics; social/emotional; science and technology; social studies and creative arts and expression which are incorporated within the exclusive research-based, Balanced Learning curriculum. Character development is woven into each day through learning and play experiences. The goal is for each child to become a well-rounded individual—continually learning and enjoying life.

First and foremost, it is the passion of the people involved with Primrose—the corporate team, franchisees, management and staff. All are carefully recruited and screened, receive extensive orientation and ongoing training. We share a common vision to be recognized as the best and most trusted early childhood education and child care company in America.

Our corporate campus, in Georgia, is a demonstration school and professional development center for franchisees and school management teams. All new educational materials are tested for approval at the demonstration school before they are implemented in all schools system wide. Primrose Schools has early childhood education specialists on its corporate staff. They are charged with keeping abreast of the most up-to-date educational research to meet Primrose’s commitment to innovation, to continually improve Primrose’s Balanced Learning curriculum, and to ensure the professional development of its teachers. It is of critical importance to Primrose that all children enrolled in our schools receive the best possible education and care.

We monitor the effectiveness of the curriculum on an ongoing basis through teacher’s student evaluations and observational assessments. At the Pre-K and K levels, students also take standardized tests in the fall and spring to evaluate their progress and the effectiveness of the curriculum and instruction. This enables the Education department to continually monitor and improve the Balanced Learning curriculum and professional development programs.

Through character development we help children develop a sense of values in partnership with parents. Character development includes how children conduct themselves and how they interact with others. We help children develop the behaviors and values that will enable them to succeed in society regardless of their faith or religious affiliation.

At Primrose, character development is not taught as a separate subject for a limited time each week. Instead, the entire school community (children, teachers, management and parents) focus on a specific character trait each month. Character learning is experienced as a part of ongoing discussion, language, math, music, art, special projects, and play at school and at home on a daily basis. In addition, the children, their families and the school participate in Helping Hands events modeling for children the importance of social responsibility and giving to others.

Primrose believes it is important for children to observe their parents and school working together. This gives them a sense of security and stability. This consistency helps children build self-esteem, confidence and a positive attitude toward learning.

Parents are regularly informed of learning experiences and classroom events via weekly and monthly newsletters. Primrose encourages parents to reinforce the skills and concepts that their children are learning in school by suggesting specific, fun activities they can do with their children at home. For example, teachers may send home a suggestion of a book for parents to read with children that relates to the learning theme for the week. This provides a point of discussion for children to share with parents what they are learning and doing at school. Reading books to children is the most effective and enjoyable way to ensure children’s future success in school.

No other educational child care provider ties together learning, character development and play in the structured, consistent way that Primrose does. Primrose maintains leadership by constantly evaluating and continually improving the effectiveness of our Balanced Learning curriculum to ensure we are meeting the learning needs of each individual child. In addition, all Primrose Schools are required to be accredited by SACS/CASI or NCA/CASI—a highly respected credentialing organization that also accredits public and private schools and colleges. Primrose actually led the movement for this organization to begin evaluating preschools.

Primrose Schools are operated by franchise owners who have left successful, professional careers to assume ownership and management of their schools. Franchisees receive comprehensive training and ongoing support from Primrose corporate. They are required to provide onsite leadership and professional management to ensure their school meets Primrose’s internal Standard of Excellence Accreditation (SEA).

Primrose is committed to providing the highest caliber individuals to teach and care for your children. All staff members are required to pass background checks and to have first aid and CPR within the first 30 days of employment. All new teachers are required to complete 10 mandatory hours of general orientation before they may be assigned to a room for any purpose other than observation. They are also required to complete classroom-specific Balanced Learning Classroom orientation hours before they may be assigned responsibility for implementing the Balanced Learning curriculum and programming. In addition to twenty hours of Annual Continual Learning, each Primrose team member is also required to meet all training hours required by the state in which the specific school operates. All Pre-Kindergarten and Kindergarten teachers are required to have four year degrees and Kindergarten teachers must be certified.

Yes, it is vitally important to ensure that your child receives the highest quality, consistent care and education. In addition to the external SACS/CASI or NCA/CASI accreditation, all Primrose Schools are required to maintain a Standard of Excellence Accreditation conducted annually by the Primrose Corporate Operations Consultants. Both accreditations include a review of educational delivery, health and safety implementation, operational and campus environment excellence. These consultants also visit the schools quarterly to assist management staff and teachers to maintain quality delivery.

Primrose is committed to be the best and most trusted early childhood education and child care company in America. To do this, Primrose must constantly monitor ongoing results of our Balanced Learning curriculum and plan for upgrades to our curriculum and programs. The annual Longitudinal Assessment Study allows us to collect data on Primrose graduates to see how they are doing at their current level of elementary school. We also collect data on our Private Pre-Kindergarten and Private Kindergarten students using an assessment of early childhood skills and concepts based on national norms. This data enables Primrose to monitor the skill development and academic progress of our students on an ongoing basis in relation to national norms so we can make sound curricular and programming decisions for our Primrose children and their families.

The original Primrose School was the innovator in early childhood education, launching the Balanced Curriculum concept over twenty years ago. Even then, Primrose recognized the importance of multiple experiences for early brain development. Today, Primrose corporate has brought together experts in early childhood development and education as well as safety, operations, and business management to fulfill its commitment to continual improvement and a focus on excellence. The company chose to expand through professional owner/operated franchise management to ensure consistent delivery of the best early education model in America. Our goal is to be the trusted choice for parents.

Primrose School tuition rates vary by school and by community. The tuition is an important investment in your child’s future and is premium priced because your child is cared for by top quality staff with low teacher-student ratios. Your child is receiving the best early childhood education and child care services. Parents across the country tell us they value the Primrose experience. In fact, 60 percent of franchise owners were once parents or were familiar with the Primrose brand prior to joining our franchise community.

Primrose Schools hours vary by school and by community. Hours are set by individual schools to accommodate the needs of parents. Please check the local school's Web site or call the Primrose school in your area for hours.