Daughter Is 3...guess I Will Start Preschool at 4 - Gainesville,FL

I started my son at o2bkids when he was three and had immediate behavior problems! To say the least I was not immpressed with that school! I moved out to Haile and found Abacus Learning Center in the Haile villiage. The teachers all have degrees or are going to school for early education. The behavior problems stopped and I could see progress in his overall person, not to mention he was coming home excited about all the stuff he was learning! They run the school professionally but it still feels like a home daycare because everyone is so close and there is so much personal time spent on every child! I would absolutly recommend this school, Sharon is the owner/director ###-###-####

In my opinion, the absolutely best preschool in Gainesville is Morning Meadow Preschool. It is located at the corner of NW 8th Ave and NW 6th St. It is a Waldorf inspired preschool that really focuses on the whole child and preserving the magic and imagination associated with childhood. I have had one child who has graduated from there and one that still attends. Both love the school so much. For more information you can call the Director, Sylvia or see their website. It really is an amazing school.
p.s. There is a review about it on this website (Mom run businesses).

having worked at O2B kids, I would not recommend their kids college. they start their employees at minimum wage and then did not really train. they offered courses but, no in class training with the children or a routine. their curriculum is awesome, but when ratio is really stretched among young, inexperienced employees, sometimes the curriculum has to be thrown out the window. there is also a management focus on keeping kids in the program and so problem children that should be discharged are allowed to remain in class and be disruptive and harmful to other children.

hey there--I highly recommend Stepping Stones (Trinity United Methodist on 53rd), Gainesville Country Day School (there are 2 campuses and both have great teachers), and there is a new preschool opening near UF called Open Arms(I believe its in First Lutheran)and I've heard great things about the director.
Good Luck!

Will your little one be 4 before the Sept. 1 cut-off? If so she can go full days in a traditional pre-k program. I think school ends at 3 for full day programs.I think if they are after the deadline you can do a pre-k type program but it's probably not quite the same. I'm going to follow along with this because we are looking at maybe doing something 2 or 3 half days for our son who is 3 but I have no clue either!

Hi J.. I also have a 3 yr old daughter and am looking for the same thing...I have been told that the Trinity United Methodist church off of 53rd (Millhopper area) is excellent. The Moms who have told me about it have their daughters in the 2 or 3 day programs, 9 - 12, I believe. I live in the Alachua area and so I've been looking in the NW side of Gville/Alachua/HighSprings area. Good luck!!!

Hi J.,
My son is also 3 and I have been looking for the same thing. My son currently attends O2BKids and he does not seem to be very happy there. So I am looking for exactly what you are.

BTW, send me a message if you ever want to meet up for a playdate. My son and I are always looking to make more friends in the area. P.S. I am also an Army brat and I work at University of FL Physicians.