Where Can I Find Information Regarding Preschools?

[Madi100]

This is a rather silly question, but I want to put my daughter in preschool this fall. I've looked in the yellow pages, and I've found only a couple. Is there someone I call to find a list of schools? I'm also look for piano lessons. There is one place that charges $75 a month. I'd rather find a private person, but where do I go to find this stuff? I think when I gave birth someone forgot to give me the pill that makes me know all of this stuff. Can I go back and get that somewhere?

 

[Jenn Lynn]

We just enrolled DD in Preschool also (a couple of months ago). I just called a few and asked some questions. Then I went and visited a couple that sounded ok. I knew right away the one I wanted. I signed her up that day because there were only 2 spots left. I found them in the yellow pages. I would start calling now and see who still has spots left. Decide if you want a day care type or more of a regular classroom environment.

I don't know about the piano lessons, sorry.

 

[cgcw]

Our library does an open house for preschools in the area in February of each year. They also put out a booklet, which is available year round, listing all the preschools/daycares in the area.

When looking for a preschool for my oldest DS9, I also called and then personally visited the ones which interested me. I brought my DS with to get a feel for the place. I knew right away which was the right one for us.

Piano lessons I can't help with. If I were looking for a teacher, I would try either a music school or our park district.

Best of luck.

 

[Aimeedyan]

Most people find preschools and private lessons through word of mouth. If you are active in a church, ask around - someone is bound to have great recommendations for both. Even in your workplace, ask the people that work around you where they send their childrren, what they've heard about different centers, etc.

If you don't have anyone you can ask about it, then you really just have to usually look them up and visit one by one... Most preschools also offer a list of private lessons, as well, of people they know and recommend. Your church might also know of someone that does that, if you give the church office a call.

 

[Pinnie]

HI Madi100

I am a Kindergarten teacher and I can vouch for how important a good pre-K progam can be.

I suggest you follow some of the suggestions given here. Ask around other families to see what programs they used and how satisfied they were with them. You may also want to contact your local Public School district. The district I teach in has an excellent tution based program for 3 and 4 year olds.

If you would like to check to see if there are any programs in your area that are accredited by NAEYC (National Association for the Education of Young Children), check out this website

http://www.naeyc.org/accreditation/search/


Best wishes!

pinnie

 

[floridaminnie]

When I was looking at Preschools for DD I asked parents with kids already done with Preschool. I then went to check them out myself and asked a million questions. WEnt and looked several times at the one school that I ended up deciding on and she did wonderful there. Even recommended to neighbors and friends. WEnt through the same process for Private school when she starts Kindergarten this fall. I also remember doing a search onthe web for preschools and found a website with sample questions to ask and what to look for.

For piano lessons, I would call music stores. They usually have a list or even call the Middle/ High schools and talk to the music department, they have lists also.

 

[CEDmom]

Just about every daycare in our area at least goes up through kindergarten. I'd say preschool (age 3) is when real learning starts to take place. Although the young ones do learn it's more through just play than anything academic.

I'd check some centers and just go with your gut. Most will allow your child to come in with you and check things out. You should be able to get a good read from how your child reacts to each place.

Just be aware that the accreditation process can take some time so if a center doesn't yet have it that's not necessarily a reflection on their teaching. DD's center has been open for 4 years and should get final accreditation by the end of this year.