Anyone have experience with La Petite childcare? I am finally caving and putting my 2 year old in daycare one day a week. My husband and I's lives have been nightmarish trying to find care for each Monday, and it is causing lots of tension. Having a permanent solution is the best thing for my family. I have a tour at L.P. tomorrow, but am wondering what your experiences have been. For nearly 10 years I was a employee in several childcare centers as well as being a pre-school teacher and nanny. I know too much to be objective. I already feel guilty about the daycare thing, so none of that please :) the rest of the week he is with my husband or I or our parents.
I am sorry that I dont have any experience with La Petite Academy, but I wanted to say that you should not feel guilty about the daycare thing. One day a week? I think that is great! I bet your child will love it once they get used to it, and it will be great for them to have interactions with other care-givers and children their age. Don't feel guilty!
I used to work at a La Petite Academy in Beaverton, Or untill it closed. That was about eight years ago, maybe. I thought it was a nice place. My daughter went there also. With any daycare, it depends on the staff. Take the tour, and if you feel comfortable with it then go ahead and give it a try. Don't feel guilty about it. Its a great way for your child to gain socialization skills :-)
I worked at LaPetite in OKC as the assistant director. I enjoyed a lot of the curriculum and how things were available.
I also think that one day a week isn't much and for a 2 yr. old that may be more traumatic than fun for her. She may need to go more to just darn right get used to it faster. But you can certainly see how well she adjusts.
I don't care for Montessori style of child care at all. I think it is thinly veiled chaos at best. If you have one child who wants to go play with the drums and loud toys and you are trying to have circle time it is silly to allow that one child to interfere with everyone else and give them the idea they want to go play too.
I had one kindergartner who refused to do journal time, he would not come to the table with his notebook and do the work. He would argue and fuss the whole time.
I am of the school that kids need structure, not being structured to death though. But having some rules is important, like if it is time to be in the circle you need to be there and participating. If it's time to go play then have some free time and enjoy the different centers but make darn sure you put the toys up that you had out first.
I think that kids learn a lot by playing, they just need to have a better system in LaPetitie for that to happen so everyone can be together and learn together, and everyone can go home feeling like they had a productive fun day.
I never used La Petite, but look up the reviews. Keep in mind you will probably only find the bad things that have happened, but you will find out the problems other people have had.
You can also call their licensing agency and ask how many complaints they have had. They may or may not share what those complaints are.
Something I noticed about my daughter's preschool. When I placed her there, I remember thinking how wonderful it was because while the children napped, the instructor was mopping and cleaning. She left and and the cleanliness diminished as my daughter progressed to the other classrooms. She is now in Kindergarten and I had to drop her in over the Christmas break and there was a smell in the room when I opened the door and she was sick for the two weeks she was there. Even my husband noticed and he doesn't notice most obvious things. So cleanliness is a factor for me.
