So Many Questions - Kids R Kids Or???

We LOVE Apple Creek Preschool, and the location at Alma and Hedgcoxe has a full-time option. You can get more information at www.applecreekpreschool.com.

Hello!

My little girl (4-yrs.) attends Cornerstone School in Allen and it is wonderful! It opened in July 2007 and my daughter started attending there in March 2008. She is currently in Pre-K, but started out in the EPS (Early Pre-School) class.

For her first two years, I had her in a home daycare environment, but after a while I wanted more structure in her routine (and more kids her age for her to play with). After A LOT of research in the Allen area, I chose Cornerstone. There is a Peanut Gallery, Primrose and Goddard Scholl all within 1/2 mile of my home, which are all great schools and would be real convenient, but Cornerstone was the perfect choice for us. They are located just off of Bethany (near I-75).

Everyone at Cornerstone is very professional and the facility is state-of-the-art. They have a heated indoor swimming pool and weekly swimming lessons are included in the tuition. They offer programs such as computer lessons, ballet, gymnastics and sports through outside companies (professionals in their field) that come to the school weekly for the lessons. They even offered cheerleading last summer - which my daughter LOVED. There is an additional cost for these extra activities, but the prices are reasonable and the convenience is worth it (not having to take her to lessons after school).

Tuition is comparable to other schools/daycares. Pre-school is around $175 per week and Pre-K is around $185 per week. The reason for the price increase at the Pre-K level is because they focus more on learning than playing most of the day. Part of the tuition covers the more specialized curriculum costs. My daughter (in Pre-K) has already learned how to write her name (first and last), add single-digit numbers and spell simple words like cat, dog, bath, etc.

Take a look at their website at www.cornerstoneschoolallen.com. I really think you will like them. If you want more information or if I can answer any questions, please feel free to contact me!

Good luck in your search!
A. Powers

P.S. - You can use me as a referral, if you'd like.

I had a bad experience with Kids R Kids not the one in your area. I took my son there and the staff raved about how much they would love on him, how much fun he would have, how many friends he could play with. etc etc... so I felt good about taking him there the next day. Needless to say I dropped him off and then didn't have access to the online camera for hours finally when I did he was just left for hours to sit alone on the bouncer. He wasn't even held when it was time for his bottle the lady just sat next to him and held the bottle in his mouth while he sat in the bouncy seat. Later on they left him in the crib for about an hour and he was awake. To top it off when I picked him up they said he had such a great day. What bull ! I pulled him out the same day. In my opinion they had too many babies for just 2 workers and that is all they were ....workers. They did not interact with the babies or sing to them or talk to them. You need to seek out a preschool/daycare where you see loving teachers, honest interaction and a good childcare giver to child ratio. I finally found a good daycare that is affiliated with a church (just a suggestion) I have seen for myself that they read to him, have music time, play time, carry him, soothe him, etc. and who cares about the free classes. I feel it is more important for the child to feel safe, loved, and secure that will make for a better learning environment. Unfortunately some of the workers at childcare centers are just there to make a buck and not for the kids. So go with your gut and I hope you find some place wonderful for your child. Good Luck

I have an in-home registered with the state of Texas daycare and provide a Christian-based preschool curriculum that I teach the preschoolers that I take care of. I have 15 years experience specializing in infants through preschoolers and currently have 1 opening. Lots of great references from parents as well. Most of my infants stay through age 3 or 4. You can see my website at http://stephanievaughansregisteredchildcare.daycarematch.com or you can reach me at ###-###-#### to discuss your childcare needs. As you stated you need something fast, I thought I'd just mention the opening is available immediately. Regardless of whether you decide on an actual daycare center or home care, I want to encourage you to check the state of Texas' website to review any violations of minimum standards that the center or home may have. The website for that is http://www.dfps.state.tx.us/
Best wishes on finding the right place for your child to attend!
S. Vaughan

I'm going through a similar exercise, trying to find a preschool in the McKinney/Allen area for my 3 year old. It's not easy! I have visited 3 schools so far, and have 4 more on my list. Of the ones I visited, the best so far is Cornerstone School in Allen (Prestige Circle), but I'm not not completely sold on it which is why I'm still looking. It has an indoor pool, and swim safety is taught one day a week as part of the tuition and a second day can be added for $50 a month. It was bright, cheery and spacious and immensely clean (almost too clean, which I know sounds wierd but with that many kids around it was almost unnatural! LOL).

I, too am trying to avoid anything that feels too much like a daycare. And I am avoiding almost all franchise schools (feels too corporate for me). I did see a new montessori school (not sure of its name) in Allen near the Cinemark 16 so I'm going to check it out. The one franchise school I plan to look at is called The Peanut Gallery, on Exchange Pkwy. in Allen. Another one in Allen is called Holly Oaks Academy but I haven't had a chance to visit it yet.

Good luck!

In home day care was great for our kids. Kathy Jones in Fairview is the BEST!! Good luck.

docjohn

My daughter goes to KRK's and we love it. I have had experience with two other local daycares and KRK is by far the best I have encountered. The owners and director have very high expectations for their teachers and I can't disagree more with the babysitter comment. My daugther is a bit younger than the preschool class you are referring to but I have had experience with some of the preschool teachers (previously at other daycare centers) with my older son and have nothing but good things to say about them.

Hi there,

I know this post is old, but I am looking for a full-time day 8-6 for my two girls ages 1& 3. Which school did you decide on? And if you don't mind me asking, how much was the tuition? Thanks!

May I suggest Watters Montessori off of Watters and Exchange area. It is actually located on Bossy Boots Rd. My daughter goes there and we could not be happier with the facility. There is zero teacher turnover. She has a set schedule and she is VERY HAPPY! The school is clean, quiet and the teachers are very loving. We have nothing but good things to say about the school. There is a huge difference between daycares and montessori's-you just need to find the right fit for you and your children. We were in a daycare situation and felt the same way you are feeling.Go with your gut feeling. Just go visit to see the difference. Good Luck! Oh and the cost is very reasonable.

My daughter attends the Kids R Kids that you mentioned, and we love it. She has learned a lot, and I don't feel like the teachers are just babysitting. As a teacher, I was looking for a placement that would meet our daughter's social, emotional, and academic needs, and this was it. She attended a Primrose in the past, and we (our daughter included) are much happier here. Good luck in your decision making!

My granddaughter goes to Cornerstone at McDermott and Prestige. It is the nicest, cleanest daycare I've EVER seen! I recommend it highly!