I am trying to decide if we want our 4yr old in a pre school program next year. She just turned 4 9/25, and she will of course miss the school age cut off next year. She has essentially only been with DH and I (grandparents on occassions), she has taken "dance" class through the community center where we are of course still present.
I'm not really sold on the fact that she NEEDS pre school, but think she would benefit more on the social side of it. I think for her it would help with a slow transition away from mommy and daddy.
I know of several churches in the area that have programs, and I know that Mt Scott Community Center has a program, but am looking for recomendations from those who have had kids in pre school. I'm looking for a program 2-3 days per week, for 2-3 hours. I prefer it not to be a "daycare" enviroment, and for it to be relatively inexpensive.
Thanks
My son attended Milwaukie Covenant Preschool at that age and we both really liked the teachers there. It is on Linwood ave.
I dont live in our area, we are in Troutdale. My son was like your daughter, mostly around a couple adults. When we moved back down here from ZigZag I remembered that when I was in High School there was a preschool program at the school(I took the class and the SAME teacher was still there years later). So I checked into that. He LOVED it..it wasn't THAT spendy and he got to so a lot of fun things with the high schoolers. Maybe there is something like that in your area. Good luck :)
A good Pre-School is a wonderful place to begin the learning environment for your child. Pre-School prepares the little ones for their Kindergarten year. I work with Kindergarten through 5th grade students. Those who have had some pre-school seem to have less anxiety than those fresh from the home. I am not saying they are smarter or more prepared, that is an individual assessment. However, pre-schoolers know a bit about sharing, cooperation and socialization as a group and this is hugely important. Your little one deserves a preview of what is to come. Pre-school is for her and you should not feel like you a ditching her. She'll feel very important and this is not a bad thing. Also, for you, it will give you an overall idea of how she will react to the school setting.
Best to you.
J. S
I think you may want to look into a co-op preschool. There are several in most areas of Portland (my son went to Irvington in NE and we loved it!) Most co-op's offer dev't appropriate environments and of course, lots of parent involvement. Also, since the parents are half of the "teacher"role each day, the cost are fairly low. We loved ours. Good luck.
there is a preschool in milwaukie that is part of the sabin-schellenberg(?) center on johnson road that is great. my daughter is 3 and like you, i wanted her to go to preschool more for the social interaction than anything else. this preschool is through north clackamas school district. it is part of an occupational program for high school students. there are two certified preschool teachers who work with up to 5 high school students at one time to guide them on how to become preschool teachers. i know that sounds weird but the focus is really on the little kids.
all the kids are 3 to 5 years old and there are no more than 15 in a class. the classes are 9:00 to 11:30 or 12:30 to 3:00. they go 3 days a week and it's a real low-key, no pressure environment. the philosophy is that children learn through play so there is a lot of imaginary play, painting, story time, outdoor play, etc. my daughter LOVES it. her teacher is great and the high school kids are sweet. they started in october and she can already read her name by sight and knows more kid's songs and nursery rhymes than i knew at her age. she knew quite a few letters by sight before she started but she has picked up so many more already. everyday she cannot wait to tell me about her day and i think that is the greatest part about it. she is so proud of what she learns and she is so confident in her ability. how awesome is that?
the bad news is there is a lottery drawing to get in. anyone who did not make it this year was put on the wait list. you should contact the school district (located on lake road) now to find out about next years lottery. oh, did i mention that it costs $70 a month!! isn't that great? i hope this is helpful. :)
Hi E.,
My daughter attended the Sweet Pea Preschool located in Gladstone/Milwaukie borderline on Jennings Ave. They offer preschool classes (no daycare at this location) and classes are just within the time frames you are looking for. Lynette, the owner, is very experienced and fantastic with the kids as are her teachers. Cost is very fair and socialization is why we had our daughter there also. I think it would be a very positive environment for your little one. When my daughter was there, the school was fairly new and parents from her former facility had followed her from all over the east/west side so that their kids could remain in her care. It's worth checking out! Good luck with it :)
My son has not been there, but there is a Milwaukie Coop Preschool on Lake Road that I have heard good things about.
E.,
I have a daughter who will be 4 in December. She is an only child (so far) and pretty much has only been with me and her father. We enrolled her in a church preschool close to our home out in the Tigard area this fall. It is definately a school environment. There is structure and learning on a level that the little ones can handle. IT is only 2 days per week for 2 hours. She has learned so much not only on a social standpoint, but I do see some academic changes that would be normal for this age. We are very pleased at the outcome and having a break from us has been good for her. I hope you can find the answers you need and good luck.
A. (mother of DD 3 year/11 month old)
