“Our daughter moved to TCG from a Japanese hoikuen a few months before her second birthday. We noticed the difference to her almost immediately, as after her first week she started to mention her teachers’ names at home which never happened before, and even said a few English words for the first time (I still remember: ‘happy’ ‘apple’ and ‘yummy’). Almost a year has passed, and she is really thriving. She is not bound by strict rules or expectations, which is so important to her growth in these early years (and she will have enough of it later in life!). We are also pleased that she is now trying to speak in English at home, as well as her Japanese which came as her first language.

She is a very fortunate child, being surrounded by exceptional people and in a beautiful space flooded with natural light. We would recommend the school to anyone who wishes their children to flourish in a safe, warm, and stimulating environment.” 

— Makiko Aoyama and Marco Visentini-Scarzanella

We sent our daughter to TCG for 2 school years, starting at age 2. These were a wonderful couple years for our daughter. Her creativity blossomed and flourished at TCG. The school also provided a fruitful ground for her to expand on her communication skills and better negotiate her surroundings. There are three key reasons why we would recommend TCG to any prospective parents looking for a non-traditional learning environment for their child:

Extraordinary Teachers

At TCG, an enormous amount of energy goes into establishing a strong bond between student and teacher. We also noticed heavy focus placed on making sure the children feel heard and empowered over the course of their day. This always impressed us as busy parents, giving us a sense of relief that our daughter was in good hands. On top of this, teachers always took the time to bring us into their teaching process and explain the latest happenings at the school.

It's all about discovery

Although it makes sense that a pre-school with a Reggio Emilia approach would focus on child discovery, the staff at TCG take this to a whole new level. Kids dictate the subject matters they are passionate about and collaborate with each other to achieve their goals. All the while, teachers facilitate meaningful experiences to help children on their way, helping them find the words to describe what they have learned and what to do next.

The classroom is everywhere

The TCG classroom space is a wonderful place to learn and discover. However, much of the learning happens outside of the classroom: at play in the park; while passing the neighboring police box (Koban); on a visit to the nearest convenience store, etc. There is a true sense at TCG that everyday experiences can be beautiful and insightful if only we all just slowed down and saw it all through the eyes of our children.

TCG is not a place to drill manners and knowledge into your kids. Thankfully, it is completely the opposite. It is a place where kids can flourish and embark on their own path of discovery. We are very happy to have been a part of TCG for a short time and thank the school for such a great experience.

— Anja and Yukio King