I decided it would be a good idea
for Elena to start preschool in September…that was the easy decision. I wasn’t
prepared for how hard it would be to determine which preschool would be right
for Elena.
As awesome as my Mom is for
committing to care for Elena while I’m at work, it is a lot on her…more than
that, Elena needs the opportunity to learn & socialize sooner than entering
Junior Kindergarten. I believe her speech would improve if exposed more to other
children her own age. I also believe that, no matter how much my Mother & I
love Elena, it doesn’t change the fact that we have zero experience or training
in early childhood education & don’t know the first thing about making sure
Elena is learning what she needs to meet her best potential. I’m not just being
a proud parent when I say that Elena is very intelligent & I know she needs
more challenge & stimulation than what my Mom & I have to offer her.
I started out looking at Montessori
schools…though very expensive, still affordable since I would be looking for
just part time, 2 mornings a week. I believed they must be “the best”. I don’t
know much about the Montessori philosophy & investigated these preschools purely
based on that assumption that the must be “the best” because they were
expensive & seemed, I don’t know, elite.
My brother convinced me that
there were plenty of fine “regular” preschools & that I shouldn’t sell them
short. Upon his suggestion I widened my search & looked at what else there
was, including the “church basement” variety as he put it.
I was able to narrow the search
down to 2 preschools that I would seriously consider…one in a centre type
environment, the other a “church basement”.
The front runner in my mind from
the start was the “church basement” one…though it was actually a synagogue.
This piqued my interest since right off that would offer Elena an experience
into another culture & religion. Theirs is a multicultural enrichment program.
Their vision is to provide a safe, secure and loving place for children to
learn, grow and develop. Their motto hooked me instantly, “The first pair of
arms away from home should be the most loving”. Touring their classrooms, I was
glad to see photos & quotes of Martin Luther King & Mahatma Gandhi
among other along with various art prints. Meeting the teachers, I could feel
the warmth & caring. The whole atmosphere was very family-like. They also
have a Friday drop in program my Mom would be able to bring Elena to so that
she is familiar & comfortable there come September. They have a fabulous
outdoor area & get the kids out in the fresh air every day, weather permitting.
I was also pleased with their non judgmental, practically non-reaction when I
mentioned Elena was donor conceived. It came naturally to bring it up with
them. Beyond that this was not new territory for them. They’ve had kids there
from various back grounds & situations including twins with 2 moms. I just
felt it in my gut that this was a good place.
I had to visit the other place…I
couldn’t just pick the 1st & only place I visited, right?
The Centre type place was good. I
didn’t get a warm & fuzzy feeling there…but I didn’t get a bad feeling
either. They’re located in a more upper class area & their price, though
still less expensive than Montessori, reflected that. They didn’t have an
outdoor play area or an outdoor program whatsoever. The owner was very friendly
& obviously very knowledgeable, the other teacher just didn’t give off a
good vibe…not a bad vibe…they both just came across a little condescending. The
owner mentioned a lot of, “we’re thinking of doing this” & “I want to
implement such & such”. She seemed to have a lot of great ideas but it came
across as a little too much, it all seemed...forced. They also have a summer program Elena could attend
but she would be on her own there right from the get go…I understand the logic
of that but my Momma’s heart hurts at that thought.
Even as I’ve typed out these
thoughts on both preschools, it was clear in my mind where I want Elena
to begin her school experience…I bet you could tell too? What do you think? Any
input or advice is very welcome…maybe I’ve missed something?
That's great that the first place you went to seemed to really feel good to you. I really wanted to get Chloe into a preschool program this fall, but held off since we don't know where we will be living if we in fact move. I agree, I think kids take off when they are around others their age. I know Chloe isn't getting the stimulation and socialization she needs now being at home all the time. Let us know how it goes once she starts!
ReplyDeleteBoth my sons went to church-basement preschool! Well, it's actually housed in the dedicated early childhood lower level of a five year old building--so everything is very modern and up to date. It looks a lot like a center, but it still operates like a more intimate setting. I have loved everything about the experience. Coupled with what I see happening at my son's kindergarten I am now a converted believer in small, parochial settings. (And that says a lot coming from a liberal-minded, public school teacher!)
ReplyDeleteI agonized over the school decision(s)so I definitely get how hard it is to make up your mind. Sounds like you have lots of information--you'll make a good decision. And if it's not the right one for Elena, you'll know it and change. You always have that option.
I'd be drawn to the one that felt warm and fuzzy too. I finally decided on a school for L, and it was the private one that felt warm and fuzzy.
ReplyDeleteOh, I think you've made the right decision. It sounds perfect!
ReplyDeleteI'm going to start Finn in preschool next spring, once we move, for all the same reasons you've mentioned. I'm looking forward to hear how Elena likes it. :)
The first one sounds wonderful! I considered starting J in school twice a week a while back but haven't revisited the thought since then. Let me know how she likes it!
ReplyDeleteGo with the first place. You can't argue with that "warm and fuzzy" feeling. It's certainly preferable to "forced and condescending!" Trust your instincts. I can't even think about Michelle going off to school. I can barely part with her for an hour!
ReplyDeleteGreat decision to put Elena in preschool. Even though SR is in "daycare" I feel she gets a full school program. They follow the new kindergarten curriculum, she knows all the kindergarten songs including the months and the days, there are different themes and units each month and she has learned so much and has become very independent - putting on her own clothes and such. I'm glad you found such a warm environment. I'll be honest, drop offs are still tear filled (mostly mine) as it's so hard to leave our babes in the care of others who aren't family. Your mom will cry a lot. Lol.
ReplyDeleteThat first one sounds great :-) Warm and fuzzy and have out door and most importantly your gut feeling!
ReplyDeleteWe sent my son to a Montessori school, and we never regretted it. I would love to send N. to preschool next year, and am hoping to have a job by then so we can afford the same place ... it really made such a huge difference (and I'm in education, so I have some understanding of what that difference could look like).
ReplyDeleteThanks, too, for stopping by and for your lovely comment!