Any Opinions on Lake Shore School in Andersonville?

I was considering putting my son there until I asked around and found out that there are an unusually high number of parents, neighbors and former employees who strongly dislike the owner/director, and as a result, the school in general. Of course it's all second hand information and my imporession of the place was good when I toured it too. I did meet one family that was very happy there, so maybe your experience would be positive. In brief, one father told me that he was very concerned about the fact that the school was removing very old tiles near where kids were eating lunch one day. He happened to stop by unannounced several more times and found that even though the director repeatedly assured him she would stop the project, the work had resumed. One school neighbor I spoke with called their outdoor play area "Lord of the Flies." (A novel about the actions of children who have no adult supervision on a desert island.) Two different former employees told me that working there was a very negative experience. I wish I had better news to share.

Hi S.,
I live very close to this school and I looked into it for my daughter last fall. The price is right but you get what you pay for. When I went for my interview, it just seemed really dirty & a bit smelly. It was a rainy day so the floor was all wet & when we walked through the younger kids room, it smelled of urine. Ick. Also, the interview was conducted in the middle of the classroom & the children all seemed a little bit out of control and not very happy. In addition, I stayed for breakfast and the teachers didn't use gloves while handling the food. I ended up enrolling my child at Lincoln Park Prep which is great. I know it's hard when you are desperate to find a preschool but I would not recommend the Lake Shore Schools. Good luck!

Hi S.,

We are not there (my son is justing turning one and goes to an in-home daycare) but my neighbor has taken her daughter there for years and raves about it. She said they were so helpful in getting her daughter to and from school (when she was old enough) and that the teachers are wonderful.

Also, on days when I work from home, I walk by it and see families coming and going and they just seem happy and like they have a nice community. I know that sounds odd, but it's just my impression.

Nothing like hard, quanitifable data, right? ;-)

Good luck!

A.

Hi S. - this is the 4th week we've had our 2 1/2 year old daughter there and she and we are all very happy with Lake Shore. It is an older building and it definitely doesn't have new shiney toys or eiquipment but we are very happy with the teachers and care she gets there. I have not seen kids going crazy and out of control unsupervised - EVER and have yet to smell urine in any of the rooms. Maybe one of the kids just had an accident when that other mother was there. I do agree with what one of the other posts said about the director. She is a bit gruff and jaded but she has very little interaction with the kids and I personally can deal with her when needed. The biggest concern there would be her interaction with the staff, their satisfaction level and the turn over rate of the teachers (which I have no idea what it is). The most important things for me are: 1. is my daughter happy and does she look forward to going to school every day - YES! 2. do her teachers communicate well and are they open to questions - YES. 3. do I feel she is in a safe environment? - YES 4. do I feel she is learning more there than at home with a nanny - YES. Again, it's not new and pretty but we really like it as does my sister in law who brings my nice there which is why we chose it. My sister in law has her degree in early childhood education and actually taught in a preschool for 3 year prior to switching careers and if she gives her ok, I'm good with it too. That said - there are a lot of good schools out there and you just have to go with what you feel comfortable with. Most places are going to have disgruntled ex-employees so you have to take their words for what they are worth. I would stick with what other parents say but still make the decision based on your own investigating and gut. Good luck!