The Preschool Jamboree

After observing my daughter seek out the interaction of other children, I've decided to make the huge leap and enroll her in preschool this Fall.

I'm still searching for a protective bubble if anyone has any connections.

But seriously, it's the right thing to do. She's excited about it, at least for now, and it will get her out of the house for two mornings a week to play with other children.

I'm in the camp that says preschool is not college prep. I'm all about starting kids early, but quite frankly, I'm not going to rely on some preschool to do that. I'm relying on them to give her some quality interaction and crafts.

I cannot do crafts. Well, I can, but I choose not to. Although I can be guilted into them, particularly if you leave me in the middle of a Michael's store.

And so, I've looked at several resources for finding a preschool. I just want some place where the kids are all clean, healthy, and well behaved.

HA. Okay, stop laughing.

But you get my drift.

If your kids are in preschool, how did you choose? And honestly, how sick did your kid(s)? That's really what I'm dreading. Inquiring minds want to know!

Comments

[Mrs. Chicken]

My requirements were the same as yours, and I was equally clueless about where to start. I ended up at a cooperative, which means I have to work at the school. I wasn't able to afford the pricey private programs.

That said, a coop does have advantages, especially if you are new to a community. It allows you to see what is going on in class, and also you get to know other parents.

My criteria was pretty simple - two days a week, affordable and clean and safe. We attended a playgroup at the school the year prior, so I also got to know the staff pretty well that way.

I'd ask some of your blog pals from the ATL if they know of any schools to recommend. Good luck!

[jodifur]

wow-you are looking now for this sept? Where I live you need to look a year in advance, if not more.

Try a co-op. They tend to be less "crazy academic" must know to how to read by 3 and less expensive. You just need to donate a certain amount of time as well.

[Bill]

Oddly enough, on your other blog I recommended you get your older one in preschool!

First, check the toys when you visit. We found a place with immaculate toys/tables/chairs/etc. We figured that if they took care of those, things would be about as clean as you could hope for.

We also met the teachers and took our daughter with us so she could meet them too. Watch how they deal with her, particularly if she cries or something. We wanted someone who would be understanding with that, and not just put them in the corner or something (well, there's a time for that, but not always).

We also liked that we didn't have to pay for the whole year in advance, although that's pretty rare. See what they'll do for you if your daughter just REALLY doesn't like it after a while of going. Not that this should be a deciding factor, but maybe a tie-breaker or something.

As for sickness, my daughter has gotten strep throat and a couple of other cold-type things that have been worse than what she got staying at home, but nothing too serious. Strep was the worst, and I don't even know if she got it there. None of the other kids have gotten really sick when she has, so it could have come from the store or something.

Kids will get sick, of course, and the thought of them getting sick with "strange" germs is a little gross, but it'll happen anyway, so...good luck!

Bill

[Bill]

Oh, and we looked at coops, but they really aren't feasible with 2 kids of different ages unless you get a sitter for one of them....

[Heather]

I don't know how preschools are in Hotlanta, but here in the Bible Crotch of Mobile, they are ALL, every single one, through a church.

Since I'm funny about the types of religious messages my children are exposed to (no teaching my kids about a vengeful God & nasty sinners, thank you) that was my first criteria. I steered clear away from schools that used ABEKA curriculum because I disagreed with the teaching of bible verses, especially the ones that have to do with sin. Yeah, one school had kids memorizing these types of verses.

That cleared out all but two. Visited those and then went off of how I felt about the place. Very scientific, I know. But my gut picked a great place!

I haven't really had problems with the kiddos getting unusually sick from school. Some viruses you just can't help, but the boys seemed to have missed some of the rounds of puking.

[Christina]

Look at the NAEYC website for a list of accredited preschools: http://www.naeyc.org/

They have a higher list of standards than state requirements. Then go tour those you're interested in. Are the kids having fun? Does the room look clean (really check the bathrooms)? Ask to talk to other parents if possible.

Hope that helps!

[Crystal]

My three year old daughter is starting pre-school this year as well and I am a nervous wreck!!!! Luckily, my husband is a teacher and my daughter will be going to the pre-school in his district. I know she is looking forward to it-but it's BREAKING MY HEART- a little!
Good luck!

[mayberry]

I gotta disagree with Bill. Stuff should definitely be clean, but "immaculate" to me implies "never used." I'd rather have a place with slightly worn toys, rugs, and chairs if it means kids really USE and enjoy them

I second Christina's suggestion of NAEYC. Great place to start.

[B]

Depending on where you are living in ATL, St. David's Episcopal is great. It's less expensive b/c it not accredited, but it does what you say you want. K DID learn a lot there, and I think the accreditation thing in preschool is crap b/c my niece learned that same stuff in a school that was twice what St. David's was.

I chose St. David's based on the fact that it was less than a mile from my house. ATL traffic is a bitch.

Now that we are in TN, we send our kids to a church preschool. When K is 4 she'll go to the school that she'll be going to for all of grade school.

[Bill]

mayberry,

I think my definition of "immaculate" is different than yours, at least when I'm talking kid stuff. When talking about kids' stuff, it means super clean. Not unused. :) Worn is fine, grimy is not. *bleah*

[Joel]

A friend of mine is the past president of Greater Atlanta Christian School. I have another friend who used to do some teaching and consulting there. I have always heard great things about it from other parents as well. You might want to check it out. And no, they don't ram religion down your kid's throat.

Address:
1575 Indian Trail Rd
Norcross, GA 30093
Phone:
(770) 243-2204

[Wendy]

We didnt search very long for our daughter's preschool. I tried looking at other schools, but they werent very accomdating. A big no-no for me. We liked it the liberal arts curriculm. All the kids, starting at 2 years old, are in plays and there is no importance on getting everything just right or perfect. All the plays are priceless with all the mistakes the kids make. It is the best comedy show I have ever been to.

Her school goes up to the 8th grade and it is private, which is very important in my neck of the woods. We had to take the tour and saw the whole school. We were impressed and I liked the small school feel. The school offers other activities as well, like horseback riding.

I was disappointed that there was no part time option, but not many schools in my area offer this. I hated having her in school from 730am-230pm everyday. I picked her up early. I was talked into leaving her there longer because she missed the musical hour. It was nice to have the time to myself.

I have decided to wait until my son is 3 or 4 yrs old (my daughter started at 2yrs old)until he enters the school. 1. It gives us more time to save up a cushion for the tutition and I just dont see him doing as well. 2. I like their 3-4 yr old program better than their 2 yr old program.

Good luck

[Arkie Mama]

I've also used NAEYC.

That said — my kids have been enrolled at two places that were NOT NAEYC and we liked them so much better.

I suggest taking tours at several places. You'll get a feel for what kind of environment you feel most comfortable with.

WARNING: The "good ones" usually have lengthy waiting lists. If you have contacts, use them. Or you can do what I did and place a weeping post-partum phone call during which you wail about how you have nowhere to place your poor little baby... They'll pat your shoulder and ask you if you're "doing OK" forevermore, but it's totally worth it.

[Shelly]

We asked people we knew in our area, and talked with some other families about where they were looking. A couple friends of mine and I made a decision together because we thought it would be fun to have the kids in the same school and save on time etc if we could carpool. They start enrolling in March around here but in August and September they will have some cancellations and it may be possible to get Quinlan in one of those spots, since those on the waiting list probably have made other plans. Also, look at the preschools in your school district (if offered) you might be able to find one that needs peer models. The preschools at our public schools are mostly special needs. It varies how involved the kids needs are, but it can be a great experience for kids to have exposure to people who are different or have different challenges. Those preschools are often free.

[Christine]

I sent my 3-year-old to the school a two minute drive from my house, to which three of my nieces had gone. It's affiliated with a temple (we're not Jewish) but is not religious.

For me, I wanted socialization not academics and that's what they stress. I can't teach him how to stand in line and take turns with other kids.

I looked at the facility, class size, and the attitude of parents, kids, and teachers.

I could not have been happier with our school and wished I'd signed him up for more than two days. He's now 4 1/2 and starts five days a week in 33 days (but who's counting?).

[Jill]

I live in Atl too. I put my kids in a nearby church Parents Morning Out program. Most churches have them. I'm a Unitarian and I get pretty anxious about too much Bible talk (mine claims to be teaching it, but most teachers don't).

Trust your gut as far as the quality of the school goes. If it feels good to you, it will be. If you don't want it too academic oriented (I looked for cozy grandmas as teachers) then don't worry too much about NAEYC. Those will be more structured.

Don't get caught up in wanting a popular place. Most had registration in February for this fall. Those that still have openings might not be The Best, but they might be perfect for you. Visit any that have openings and trust yourself.

[Jill]

As for getting sick- yes they catch some stuff, but washing hands first and last thing every visit will help. And, if they get sick now they'll miss less school at kindergarten. Build up the ole immune system!

[BirdieRoark]

Since my son started preschool a year ago, he has stayed home from illness twice. I, on the other hand, was sick once month for the first few months. Pink eye and strep throat were usually the cuplrits.

If you beleive in the flu vaccine, you can get one for your child starting in September. Our family has to all get vaccinated (we have an immuno-compromised family member) so that saved us from the common colds.

[Lady M]

We just had Q's first day of preschool this week. We were looking for a friendly, non-church-affiliated place, and several of our friends are sending their kids to this school. When we went to visit, they were organized, had a simple handbook for parents, and showed us their cute, clean classrooms.

Like several commenters said already, we wanted him to have a chance to socialize, learning how to share and take turns, that kind of stuff.