Hi! I have a two-year-old son and I'm thinking about putting him in a preschool program when he's two and a half or three. He'll be three in February. Any suggestions? I've done some research on various ones: United Church of Christ nursery school, Claremont Methodist, Claremont McKenna Children's school, etc., but it's hard to know which ones are really good.
Any info would help...
Unless you absolutely have to, keep your child home with you until it's time for Pre-K. Your baby will learn so much more from you and the cool things you do with him then he will learn at preschool.
If you do have to go back to work or have another reason for putting your young one in daycare then check out Western Christian or Rancho Cucamonga's Playschool (for a short day program).
I know the most about Claremont Presbyterian Children's Center (on Mountain, just south of Foothill, across from Mountain View Elementary). It has a good program that emphasizes learning through play (but they do a good job of ensuring the children are more than ready for K). Their teaching staff has a low-turnover rate and provides loving, stable care. Full-time care is about $750 a month. Hours are from 7-6. They have part-time rates too and are flexible.
The International Montessori Preschool (one is on Arrow and the other is near the Montclair Mall) is also very good. They introduce children to a wide variety of skills and information in a calm, child-centered environment. Full-time care is about $775 a month. Hours are from 7-6:30. Part-time prices are also available.
A city-run program is at the Hughes Community Center ("ABC's and 123's"...?). I've heard positive things about this program as well. I think it's a little less expensive.
The Children's School has an excellent reputation but it much more expensive for full-time care ($1000) and they don't open until 8 a.m. but if you're looking for part-time it's much more reasonable.
The best thing to do is to visit the programs. Observe the classes, children and teachers, for a period of time and ask lots of questions (discipline policy, sick-child policy, lunch and snack procedures/limitations, parent-teacher communication (daily and progress reports), student-teacher ratios, etc.) What one parent loves, another will hate (but specific feedback and recommendations are always helpful). You've got to visit and get the right sense/feeling yourself. The thing that always speaks to me is how the staff interacts with the children. I'd recommend visiting them first on your own so you don't feel rushed or distracted. Then go back with your son to your favorites. Many do have waiting lists though (ask about that too).
Good luck!
My friend has her two children (5 and 3) at Claremont Presbyterian and loves it! I've also heard that there is a good one at the fair grounds - can't remember who it is affiliated with.
-M.
if you are doing just to get your son our of the house and not as a day care thing, I suggest the pre-school thru the city (we are actually in La Verne, but Claremont has a great one too). My daughter is in the city school and she thinks its great. Plus you can't beat the cost, less then $100/month. My daughter is learing so much, and they start teaching the same things that they start to learn in kindergarten. I have heard that the pre-school teachers and the kindergarten teachers work together to come up with a good curriculm for the pre-school class. If you are planning on doing private school for your son later, then perhaps put him at the pre-school where you would like him to go to school. For me personally, I love the city program, and being a stay at home mom, I love the fact that it is inexpensive. After all, mommy likes a new pair of shoes now and then!
Hi,
My son attends Claremont United Methodist Nursery School, located on Foothill and Indian Hill, in Claremont. The school is set back of the highway, and is easily missed. The physical plant is large, with a large classrooms, and play yards. This is his second year there and we couldn't be happier with his progress, his development and the school.
Pricey? Yes! Down the road in Upland, the First Presbyterian on Euclid runs a thousand dollars cheaper. But we started at CUMNS and my INDEPENDENT, STRONG WILLED and ACTIVE son has a very good rapport with the staff there. (He is also brillant and handsome, and I'm not just saying that because he is my son, he really is . . . . !)LOL!!
CUMNS is very creative and tolerant and really in tune with his needs. It is a parent participation program, and so there is a high ratio of adults to children. (But you can pay to opt out of it if that doesn't work for your family). The program is developmental, so there are no false academic expectations, but a realistic understanding of where a child is in their development. I love the program because my son is so happy there, and it is a guaranteed play/explore/fun time for him - at home Mommy is busy with little brother and house work.
I would urge you to tour the different schools, take your child and see how it goes - I knew CUMNS was the right place for him when he so easily slipped into the play time, story time activities that were going on there during our visit.
Now that said . . . I have a girlfriend who was super happy with the Baptist church program in Claremont and had all her kids go there. Shop around, and decide which program works for your son - schedule, price, participation, hidden fees (Scrip, fund raisers), rapport between children and staff. Good luck!
I've had many friends who have gone to both UCC and the Children's School. They have both liked them very much. I do think that the Children's School is the most expensive around, but it the nicest facility, smallest teacher to student ratio, and INCREDIBLY progressive. There is a pre-school/daycare at the Hughes Center (through the city) I haven't heard anything about it. I've lived here all my life ( I went to the children's school) and know that most of the church preschools are good (including the lutheran church on the corner of Mountain and Harrison). My friends who have their kids at UCC love it. My child's going to the Children's School, but if you decide on that one, call them immediately because there is a waiting list. Good luck!
It's been awhile, but we used to live in Claremont. My daughter went to Chicken Little which was a small preschool run out of a home. We loved it. I also recall Claremont Presbyterian having a great preschool as well. Mine attend a great Christian Preschool in Rancho Cucamonga now. Good luck
