Hey mommies! I was wondering if I could get some advice on when would be the best time to start looking for preschools. My son is turning 1 tomarrow, and I just don't have a clue when I should start looking. In addition, we live in Plano and I was wondering if anyone knew of good preschool in the area. I went to a wonderful preschool when I was a child, and I want the same for my son. Thanks!
I think toddler age is a great time to start the preschool experience to help with verbal and social skills. Primrose Schools offer partime half day programs and there program is accrediated through a school organization not a day care. Primrose School of Forest Creek and Primrose School of North Plano are both located in Plano off of Coit rd. there website is www.myprimroseschool.com/forestcreek and www.myprimroseschool.com/northplano
I would take him to a mothers day out at a local church or private school in your area for a few days a week. Then when he is 2, I'd enroll him in the pre k(2's) class. Try Prince of Peace Catholic or Creme de la Creme! They are in Plano and very good. There is also a VERY good in home daycare in your area that I wanted to place my son in but it was too far of a drive for me. :(
Lil Dumplins Day Care. She prepares them for preschool and Kindergarten by teaching them numbers,shapes,colors,alphabet,etc. 160/wk for 5 days full time. She has part time as well.
http://www.dumplinsdaycare.com/
I started mine at 18 mos. They have both been attending The Heights "Moms Day Out" program, which is either Wed/Fri or Tue/Thur from 9 am - 2 pm. Both boys have enjoyed it greatly!
Check out their programs at www.theheights.org
For actual preschool, my oldest is currently at N. Dallas Montessori, but will be attending Prestonwood Christian Academy next year for Pre-K.
If you want to have him in preschool/MDO this fall (September 2009), you should start looking now. Most all of the places I have been researching will have open enrollment in February & March. I plan on touring about 5-6 different preschools, mostly the church affiliated schools, plus Primrose, and a couple montessori schools. One I have visited was very good about grouping the 2 yr old classrooms as close in age as possible (i.e. approximate groups were divided up so the 24-28 month olds together, the 29-32 months together, and the 33-36 months together).
You might consider getting your son on a list now..because schools fill up fast....starting him in a part-time preschool would be the most appropriate at his age....it would give him some social interaction with other little ones and also give you some much needed "me" time....there are several part-time preschools available...look for one at a church; those seem to be the most intimate and child centered programs...there is an excellent one in Richardson...Early Learning Center (at the United Disciples of Christ Christian Church; formerly First Christian Church of Richardson).....they are a small program with low student-teacher ratios and a very caring staff....the ELC is a part-time program that runs through the school year (having summers off)....don't know where you live, but if you are in the Garland/Richardson area, this might be an option for you....call them at ###-###-####....Good luck!!!
start looking now many fill up bafore the school year starts...
HTH
A. J
Are you looking for some extra time for yourself or actual school? MDO programs are awesome if you just need time for appts., errands, etc. There are so many great churches that offer programs usually starting at 18 mnths. I started my kids in preschool at 3 years. I figured 2 years before K was enough! Mine went to The Heights (Renner & Central) which is excellent! They start at 4mnths and go through K. They have Spanish, computer lab, art, etc. My son was fully reading prior to K at public school. Murphy Road Baptist, First Baptist Plano, and Cornerstone Methodist have good programs also. Preschools start enrolling in January and February for a September start if that helps you with timing. Good Luck! Send me a message if you have any more questions.
Hi C.,
My daughter attends Custer Parkway Preschool on Custer between Park and Parker. She absolutely loves it there (and so do I)! Parisa, the director there, is amazing. They take them as young as 18 months. They do fill up quickly, so I would start looking now and get your son on a list so that when you are ready you have a place for him. I registered my youngest when she was 3 months old so she would have a spot for sure when she's old enough to join her sister. :)
