Phoenix Children's Academy Private Preschool

(4.3 stars) • 52 Reviews

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Overview
  • Programs
  • Our Team
  • Reviews

About Phoenix Children’s Academy Private Preschool in Peoria

The caring staff at Phoenix Children’s Academy Private Preschool, Thunderbird has more than 145 years of combined experience in daycares and preschools. We recognize that young children need much more than intellectual development during their first years of life and we offer families in the West Valley a well-rounded preschool experience that also focuses on social, emotional, physical, and creative development.

Ascend Curriculum Logo Our Ascend Curriculum and dedicated teachers work hand-in-hand to create engaging educational experiences in nine different subjects every month. Our preschool programs are offered in six month ranges so students can be with peers who are at a similar level of development and we help children reach important milestones at every age.

Preschool Programs

Quality First Rating

Quality First Rating LogoQuality First is a program that seeks to continually improve the quality of childcare provided by daycare centers and preschools throughout Arizona. Programs enrolled in Quality First are committed to preparing young children for school and life and continually make improvements in their level of care. Phoenix Children’s Academy Thunderbird currently has a Quality First Star Rating of 3, which means we have met quality standards in areas such as staff qualifications, health and safety practices, learning environments, teacher-child interactions, and parent communication. Learn more about Quality First.

Kind Child

Kind Child Program LogoKind Child is an important part of our monthly curriculum and the foundation of our school’s culture. The goal of Kind Child is to improve the emotional well-being of each child in our care through the development of valuable character traits such as Empathy, Responsibility, Respect, and a Positive Self-Image. Our teachers focus on developing social-emotional skills each month and a different character trait every two months. The result is a preschool environment where every child feels welcome and valued.

School-to-Home Connection

We have found that children thrive in a preschool setting when there is a strong partnership between school and home. We have an open door policy at Phoenix Children’s Academy and we welcome families to visit at any time. We offer a variety of communication pieces to keep you informed about your child’s day and academic progress. We give our parents Developmental Portfolios which document their development from Infants all the way through Pre-Kindergarten. We have fun family activities throughout the year and we make it our mission to establish a personal connection with every child and family.

Getting to our Preschool

Phoenix Children’s Academy Private Preschool, Thunderbird is located a mile east of the 101 on Thunderbird Rd. We’re a block west of 75th Avenue on the south side of Thunderbird. We provide transportation to and from Oakwood Elementary School, Oasis Elementary School, Sky View Elementary School, Paseo Verde Elementary School, and Legacy Traditional School for our school age students.

Our Team

Ashley Harbaugh

Ashley Harbaugh

School Director

I have been with Phoenix Children’s Academy since 2013. I have always wanted to work with children in the education field. I obtained my associate in arts degree with an emphasis in Early Childhood and continued my education at Northern Arizona University in their dual bachelor’s program for Primary Education and Special Education. I first started at our Happy Valley school with the 3’s and 4’s and then moved up to lead teacher in the Kindergarten Readiness program and completed our Leadership in Training program before I became Assistant Director in 2017 and then Director at Thunderbird in 2021. I have been in Arizona for most of my life but am originally from California. I am married with two sons. I love reading, exploring, camping, heading to the beach, or just spending time with my family and I am extremely crafty and love creating many different items that create joy.

Jen Westcott

Jen Westcott

Assistant Director

Ms. Jen has dedicated her entire adult life to early childhood education, graduating from Paradise Valley Community College with a degree in ECE. After working as an assistant teacher, I worked my way up to being a School Director. Ms. Jen continued to refine her vision for a unique childcare environment. Ms. Jen is deeply committed to her calling, driven by the desire to provide children with a healthy environment and positive guidance, and ensuring parents feel confident leaving their children in her care. In her free time, she enjoys traveling, working out and spending time with her husband, 2 sons and two dogs.

Abby Revell

Abby Revell

Teacher of the Year

I have been working with children in early education for over 3 years now. My favorite parts about working with children are watching them grow and develop and get ready for kindergarten. Some of my hobbies would be going on trips, bargain shop and crafting. I also like to watch tv and movies. Something super exciting coming up is that I will be getting married in October. I can’t wait to learn more about you!

Reviews from Parents

4.3 Rating based on 52 Reviews Leave A Review
Jessica Spanswick • Google
We love PCA! We have been here for 1 year now and I am so thankful we are and only wish we came to them sooner. We were previously at another center that was incredibly disorganized, never a lesson plan/learning and my son had meltdowns everyday being dropped off. I can say it is the complete opposite here. Within 1 month of being here my children's educational knowledge flourished. No meltdowns with drop off. The center is clean, and organized. The director is almost always available. Prompt responses to questions on the app. Wonderful teachers who really care for your child. I truly cannot say enough good about Phoenix Children's Academy - Thunderbird.
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brianna dyck • Google
I can’t say enough of how comfortable this staff has made me feel leaving my daughter for the first time. My daughter is 3 and this has been a huge change for her for all obvious reasons- but her teachers are the absolute sweetest. They are completely empathetic and now it’s been her third week and has been having such better days. The fact of how many of my friends who use other establishments and it doesn’t ever sound close to PCA. The meals are so nutritious and meals kids actually eat. The activities they do during the week my daughter loves to tell me about. She has so much fun! The photos I receive throughout the day for some easement is a huge plus. I know my daughter is safe, happy, learning, and growing with PCA. Definitely worth it all!
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Dylan Campbell • Google
Our daughter was enrolled here for nearly two years. I have seen her grow so much here and it's quite hard to leave. She entered as a shy, quiet kid and it was apparent when my wife or I dropped her off that she was not a fan of being away from mom and dad. As time went on, she opened up more and more and despite her trouble speaking she really came into her own. She would hug her classmates and/or teachers every time she got picked up, and even on her last day when we told her she would not come back she simply replied "I really liked this school." My wife and I were extremely pleased with her teachers and the staff there. One memory sticks out more than the rest. A parent's worst nightmare: our daughter fell on the playground and busted open her chin. The director, Ashley, administered a butterfly bandage (this is what the nurse at the ER called it) and helped prevent further pain and scarring. When we went to pick up my daughter and take her to the ER, she was calm and quiet, playing with the adults in the front office, in spite of her injury. The staff here really cares about the well-being of your child, and do their best to support them however they can. We are forever grateful that we found this place and had our daughter attend here. Thank you Phoenix Children's Academy!
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Christina Lewis • Facebook
I had an amazing visit to this center . I can’t wait for my daughter to start there amazing Pre-k program. The teachers were super friendly and talked to me about what she would be learning too prepare her for Kindergarten. I love it already !!!
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Phoenix Children's Academy Private Preschool

Peoria, AZ

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Your child is unique, and we are happy to provide an educational, fun, and nurturing environment where each child can develop and thrive in order to build a bright future with unlimited possibilities.