Hailey, Idaho’s Busy Bees Preschool

Celebrating the people and places that make our community special

It's no secret that homeowners often care about education when they're choosing where to live. And especially for parents of younger students, finding the right fit during kiddos' formative years can be a huge factor in the house-hunting process.

As part of our Voices & Views series, we met with "Miss Guta," owner of The Busy Bees Preschool located in Hailey, Idaho.

The Busy Bees Preschool

On North River Street near downtown Hailey, the preschool focuses on early childhood education for children ages 3-5, with a goal to "give children the best possible preparation for kindergarten." It includes a playroom, library/nap room, sensory room, and an art room where lessons, meals, and many of the school’s activities are held. The school also includes a large fenced outdoor space with fun toys, picnic tables, art stations for outdoor learning, and loose parts for free play.

After moving from Brazil to Sun Valley, Idaho more than 20 years ago, Guta was inspired to create a preschool in Hailey that incorporated the practices Guta saw were missing in her own daughter's experience.

Philosophy

Two of The Busy Bees' biggest areas of focus are free play and spending time outdoors. They describe the school as "a loving, nurturing, and challenging environment" where "students will find a great outdoor learning area to use their imagination to explore on their own and engage in independent free play in the beauty of nature."

Values

The Busy Bees Preschool's core values are "Bee Kind. Bee Happy. Bee Safe." Community involvement is also central to the school's approach, making a point to visit local businesses in town during the school day.

Parental Engagement

Parents have an app they can download that gives them a preview of their child's day at the preschool. Miss Guta uploads photos of projects from the day or during outdoor activities, giving parents the perfect chance to engage with their children later and ask about their days.