Growing Brilliant Online Preschool Review:

Why This Working Family Made the Switch

 

By Megan Syed

Why Did This Family Choose Growing Brilliant Online Preschool?

When I sat down to write this Growing Brilliant online preschool review, I wanted to start with why we chose it in the first place. Our family did not fit the mold most people picture when they hear “at home preschool.” When people think of at home preschool, they might think of stay at home parents, homeschooling families, or children who are not ready for an in person experience. Our family did not fit into any of those categories, since I am a full time teacher and my husband also works full time, which is why choosing online preschool initially felt unconventional to us.

Thankfully, our two sons are able to stay with their grandparents during the day instead of attending daycare. However, as wonderful as that has been, we realized that transporting our son Noah back and forth to an in person preschool program multiple days a week would be difficult for our schedule. Between work hours, rides, and the short preschool day, it became too much back and forth for everyone involved. That is what first led us to Growing Brilliant.

How Does Growing Brilliant Fit Into a Working Parent’s Schedule?

Growing Brilliant fits into a working parent’s schedule because of the flexibility of its class times. Since we live in Michigan and are on Eastern time, having multiple class options to choose from throughout the day made it easy for us to build preschool into our afternoons after work. Every day, I am able to come home, unpack bags, settle in, and then sit down with Noah for his class.

Instead of feeling rushed or overwhelmed, it became part of our weekday routine and also became one of my favorite parts of the day. As a working parent, quality time can sometimes feel limited during the week, so having this intentional learning time together gave Noah and me an opportunity to connect in a meaningful and fun way.

How Has Noah Grown With Growing Brilliant?

Noah has grown from needing hands on guidance to working through lessons independently. At the beginning of the school year, I sat closely with him during his lessons and helped guide him through activities. Now, nearly nine months later, I am able to cook dinner or do other tasks around the house while still staying close by if he needs me.

I have watched him become incredibly independent as he participates confidently, follows directions, and takes pride in completing activities on his own. He now often says, “I didn’t need mommy to help me!”

What Teaching Strategies Make Growing Brilliant Effective?

Growing Brilliant is effective because its lessons are built on developmentally appropriate instructional practices that align with proven early childhood teaching standards. Watching his growth has been incredibly rewarding as both a parent and an educator. As someone who has taught multilingual students for 15 years, I found myself noticing many instructional strategies that align with best teaching practices.

I immediately recognized the use of visuals, repetition, routines, songs, movement, and hands on learning paired with meaningful discussions to create a highly engaging learning environment. Noah’s teachers, Miss Colette and Miss Tova, have been a huge part of that experience, and it was reassuring as a fellow teacher to see how thoughtfully these lessons were designed for young learners.

What Progress Has Noah Made Academically and Socially?

Noah has made remarkable academic and social progress throughout this year. We live in an area where families place a strong emphasis on education and kindergarten readiness, so as a teacher myself, I naturally paid close attention to how he was progressing in his classes.

I have been so impressed with his confidence, vocabulary growth, early reading skills, and independence. He consistently demonstrates skills that make me feel excited for him to begin kindergarten.

Would This Family Choose Growing Brilliant Over Free Preschool?

Yes, even with free preschool now available to us, we chose to keep Noah enrolled in Growing Brilliant. Preschool recently became free for all families in Michigan, and we had originally planned on enrolling Noah in a 4 year old preschool program this September. But because of all the success he has had with Growing Brilliant, we decided to keep him home and have him continue with the program instead.

A year ago, I never would have imagined making a decision like this. But we have been so happy with the progress he has made and how comfortable and confident he has become that my husband and I really feel this is the right choice for him.

Is Growing Brilliant Right for More Than One Child?

Growing Brilliant has worked well enough for our family that we enrolled our younger son too. I am also so excited to see how our younger son, Micah, grows on his Growing Brilliant journey now that he has started in the Early Explorers 2 year old class . Noah began in Little Learners last year , so it will be really fun to watch Micah experience the program from the very beginning and see all of the growth he makes along the way.

Is Growing Brilliant Online Preschool Worth It for Working Families?

Growing Brilliant is worth it for working families who want flexibility without giving up a high quality early learning experience. Before this experience, I probably would not have imagined our family choosing an online preschool program. In fact, I did not even know a program like this existed.

Now, I truly believe it was the right fit for us in this chapter of our lives. Growing Brilliant has given our family flexibility, consistency, intentional bonding time, and a learning environment where Noah is genuinely thriving. For working families trying to balance busy schedules while still prioritizing high quality early learning experiences, Growing Brilliant online preschool is definitely an option to consider.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Growing Brilliant work for families where both parents work full time?

Yes. Growing Brilliant offers multiple class times throughout the day, which makes it possible to build preschool into an after work routine rather than requiring a parent to be home during traditional school hours.

How much parent involvement does Growing Brilliant require?

Parent involvement is highest at the start and decreases as a child builds independence. In the beginning, close guidance during lessons is common, but within several months many children are able to participate confidently on their own while a parent stays nearby.

Is Growing Brilliant a good fit for kindergarten readiness?

Yes. Families who prioritize kindergarten readiness have reported strong gains in confidence, vocabulary, early reading skills, and independence through the program’s curriculum.

Can siblings of different ages both enroll in Growing Brilliant?

Yes. Growing Brilliant offers age banded classes, such as Early Explorers for 2 year olds and Little Learners for older toddlers and preschoolers, so multiple children in the same family can each be enrolled in an age appropriate class.

Would a family choose Growing Brilliant over free in-person preschool?

Some families do. In at least one case, a family with access to newly free in-person preschool in Michigan chose to keep their child enrolled in Growing Brilliant instead, citing the progress and comfort their child had already built in the program. This Growing Brilliant online preschool review shares one working family’s experience over the past year. If you are a parent of a preschooler looking for options, try Growing Brilliant free for a week and 50% off your first week. Use promo code “HALFOFF”