Preschool question

mckayleesmom wrote: You guys are going to think Im incredibly stupid, but how do you find out about preschools in your area? Mckaylee will be 3 in April and I want to start looking for next year. Do I just go to the Elementary school and ask? I know my nieces preschool was a part of the elementary school, but I know some are seperate right?

Jamison'smama replied: I asked neighbors, I called a nice private school in the area and asked who they recommended. I also toured any I could find that were relatively close to me.

Maddie&EthansMom replied: I asked people everywhere I went, I called churches (we wanted her in a faith based program) and our elementary schools do have a preschool now, but they didn't when we first moved here.

You might go ahead and put her on a waiting list somewhere. I think calling the school district is a good idea.

mckayleesmom replied:
Thanks.....Also, do they usually start in August/September like a normal school year? I know we are moving in July probably...so I just want to have an agenda.

Jamison'smama replied: Ours started a couple of weeks after the regular schools began. We are moving to Texas this summer and I have already contacted several preschools in the area we think we will be living in and she is on the list for one in particular that sounded nice. It is very hard to do without being there to see them in person. The schools are starting to fill up now for the fall.

Kaitlin'smom replied: Well since I recently did this, I not only looked in the phone book, but I also asked around. Made several phone calles and toured any I was interested in. Main reason I started in the phone book was to find names so I could look them up on-line. I wanted a year-round program. If your looking for fall deffinalty start now as many fill up fast.

Do you know what your looking for? I was not sure myself except year-round. Best of luck and let us knwo how it goes.

mckayleesmom replied:
We are not even sure where we are moving yet....He has put in for Jacksonville Florida....but its the Army...who is to say if we get it or not.

amynicole21 replied:
If you come to FL, we have VPK or voluntary pre-k. The state pays for it basically... well, it's a lot cheaper than regular pre-k anyway. Most of the public schools have it, and some of the private ones are also subsidised by the government. It's kind of nice - if your child doesn't fall 3 days behind the 9/1 cut-off date that is

jcc64 replied: I would try to arrange a conference with the kindergarten teachers in your local elementary school. They will most certainly have opinions about which schools are better, as they receive the end result. Also, I start a lot of conversations in playgrounds- you'd be amazed what you can learn.

Crystalina replied: I'm so happy to say that we were lucky to get Izabella in the best faith based pre-school in our area. There is always a waiting list so I don't know how we rated.

I asked around so I knew who everyone recommend. I never asked someone who didn't have an older child becsause of course they wouldn't know either. I would really say to ask other mothers because they are going to be your best source.

With you moving and maybe not knowing anyone I would say like some others have said, call churches if you want religion or call the elementary schools in the area.

MommyToAshley replied: Neighbors, Church, Kindergarten teachers, Phone Book. Our chamber of commerce also had a listing of preschools in the area.

I would definitely recommend touring the school and meeting the teacher before you decide on one if at all possible.

ETA: I just reread your post and realized you will be moving. I would recommend talking to the teacher on the phone, not just the administrator, but the actual teacher to get a feel for the teaching style.

MommyToAshley replied:
I didn't know that there was such a thing... learn something new every day.

Kaitlin'smom replied:
yep there are not many well not south of Dayton that I was finding, and with me neededing to get her someplace by the end of the month, close to work the choices were limited but I fell in love with Goddard and so did she. I was also told how good it is but many people. I am excited for her to go, heck I am hoping to learn from it also.

Honestly I love year round idea much better, than having all that time off in the summer and if the public school does not change but the time she starts then she might be going to a privet school or something.

Oh this pre-school also has a kindergarden program

MommyToAshley replied:
I just read my post and don't want you to think I was saying anything bad about the school. Sounds like a great place. (I was typing as I was talking to Ashley so the message was pretty short) I just meant I didn't realize that they had year round preschools. I bet Kaitlin will love it there. Sounds like the perfect match for what you were looking for and needed schedule wise!

Kaitlin'smom replied:
no not at all, I was not sure if the existed either. I was worried I would have to go with more of a daycare and have to wait till fall, thats not what I wanted. I was happy to find something and it made me realise that I want her in year round school.