It’s that time of year
And, no, I’m not talking about holiday gift shopping.
Here at Casa in Progress, ’tis the season for preschool shopping. Ack!
While I’ve got another 10 months until the first day of school, most of the nearby preschools are already taking applications for September 2010. And so, here I go. Dutifully researching websites, polling the moms of twins club, and setting up appointments to visit and observe (and faint over how much it will cost).
My initial reaction is that I’m not thrilled with my options. On paper, none of them feel quite right. For instance, I was really hoping for three half-days. One school that comes recommended from lots of friends is close by, but only two days. And while trusted friends feel good about it, there’s nothing that jumps out at me to say “aha! I love this place!” A very cool new arts-focused center (with included private music instruction!) nearby can be three days, but they’re only FULL days. Not only do I not want my kids to be gone for the whole day at three years old, but of course the price point is pretty high.
There are a handful of Montessori schools in the area, which is certainly an educational approach that I like. But one important part of that method is the idea that kids are there five days a week. Again, that’s a LOT of time, which also translates into a LOT of money. Especially since I have no immediate plans to go back to work.
The school that jumps out at me as the one I like the best is three days a week, and is a Jewish preschool. Comes highly recommended, not obscenely expensive. Love it! Except that it’s a half-hour drive. Each way. I’d be in the car two hours a day for a three-hour block of school. That just ain’t right.
Of course, this is all just initial reactions. Now I have to get my butt there and visit. I’ve got a few appointments set up, so we’ll see if any of them change my mind. Will I come to love the ones that my friends use? Quite possibly. Will the Montessori schools feel worth the time and money? You never know.
Stay tuned…
Tags: preschool
November 30th, 2009 at 3:30 pm
If you really like the one half an hour away, are there things nearby you could fill three hours with? With an ice chest, it wouldn’t be ridiculous to get your grocery shopping done, or head to the gym, or read at a coffee shop, or lunch with your girlfriends. My commute is about an hour each way, (plus a 9-hour work day) so I have screwy priorities.
Sadia´s last blog ..Brenda
November 30th, 2009 at 9:49 pm
The process of finding the right preschool sounds a bit like the one I went through when I was deciding what colleges to apply to. Crazy! I actually went to a daycare/preschool fair recently. And yes, just like a college fair, all the representatives from area daycares and preschools set up informational tables in one big room and I went from table to table picking up pamphlets. I was looking a daycares with preschool options (my kids aren’t scheduled for preschool until the fall of 2011) and I was blown away by the costs of these programs (times 2!).
Good luck with your search! I hope seeing these places in action will help you make a decision you can live with.
reanbean´s last blog ..My Tiny Talking Parrot
November 30th, 2009 at 11:07 pm
Ah ha! Now the facebook post makes even more sense LOL.
You know…it wouldn’t hurt to ask if there’s a 3 day option for your kids at tomorrow’s visit. Burke and Maggie went to the Yellow room 3 days a week last year as their first year. And I may stick Logan in that class since I know the teachers. Of course, the owner has ideas about ages and who will fit where – but I THINK ultimately, if there’s room, she’ll stick the kids where YOU want them to be.
Nancy´s last blog ..Makes My Monday: A Little Star
December 1st, 2009 at 9:27 am
Never underestimate the potential frustration with a long commute, particularly if one of the kids gets sick! Commuting distance is one of the reasons we went with a chain daycare rather than a home one. And you’ll be surprised at how much you will like your 3rd or even 4th choice. We ended up at our 4th choice and Cameron LOVES it. Kids are flexible….
Stacey´s last blog ..Her Royal Poopy Pants
December 1st, 2009 at 4:37 pm
I hated the preschool search. So stressful.
H & S go to preschool literally 5 min. from our house from 8-10:30. Their father drops them off each morning. They leave the house at 7:45. I leave to pick them up at 10:15. I have a full 2.5 hours alone each morning they are in school and it goes so fast. Really, really fast. Blink of an eye fast some days. I don’t recommend giving up a huge chunk of your time to the commute if you can avoid it.
I originally wanted 2 days, 3-4 hours each, but the school we went with is 4 days, 2.5 hours each. We’ve been really happy with the hours. 2.5 hours seems to be the girls limit right now and 4 days has been so nice for me. It’s a bit earlier than I’d like, but with dad doing drop off, it works out okay. I do projects around the house each morning, then the girls and I head out for 1 errand after school each day.
Rhonda´s last blog ..Cooking with Dad