Classmates indulge in a little finger painting at the world’s first adult pre-school (Picture: Barcroft)

Everyone says your school days were the best. And, surely the best of of all were your pre-school days when you got to doss around in the sand pit for hours, interspersed with naps and food.

Don’t you wish you could go back sometimes?

Now you can – if you’ve got a spare $1,000 (£670), which is what it can cost for five nights at the world’s first pre-school for adults in New York (fees for students are means tested so some pay less).

Run by Michelle Joni, the playschool for big kids has show-and-tell, dressing-up time, nap and snack times. They also like to build things out of Play Doh.


Nap time! (Picture: MichelleJoni.com)

The pre-school mastermind programme is run out of Michelle’s home in Brooklyn and even has a parents’ evening where the attendees can showcase their work.



But why are professionals shelling out $1000 to mess around with Play Doh you may well ask?

Michelle sees the class as a form of therapy, allowing adults to work through their problems and deal with stress by getting in touch with their inner child.

Amanda Devereux, class member and lawyer agrees, saying: ‘It’s a contrast from my job.’ She adds: ‘My mum just sent me a sweater to wear for class picture day.’

Mum-of-two and author Sarah Fader explains: ‘I wanted to get back to that feeling of freedom, and childlike fun and wonder.’ She also says ‘it helps me to be a better parent.’

The class has however been criticised as ‘weird’ online as well as being mistaken for a fetish club. Michelle admits: ‘We’ve had some adults enquire about changing diapers and adult baby play. That’s not what this is.’

Michelle and classroom assistant Candice Kilpatrick get the Play Doh ready (Picture: Barcroft)

She agrees it’s not for everyone but is unapologetic. ‘People say it’s a weird thing to do. I say you’re probably right,’ she chuckles.

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