Connor's Montessori school won't take him full time (MTW from 8:30-11am) unless he's fully potty trained. So, we'll do the mommy and me classes on Saturdays.

But...I need 4 hours on Mondays and Wednesdays just so I can go to the doctor and bring my mom to the dentist/oral surgeon. Or, just clean my house without my cute little appendage.

So, here I am. How do I begin? I thought of asking neighbors and my mom's club mothers for recommendations but I thought I'd ask you guys too.

Any things that you look for? I want him to have structure and small class size. My daycare, when I was a child, was chaotic and awful.

By Tripletmom on Wednesday, October 4, 2006 - 02:24 pm:

Does it have to be a preschool? I put my DD in a home daycare(liscenced) when she was 3 and she did great.The organization did surprise visits with this home daycare also.I always received a report on that visit.It was very structured.They had well balanced meals and alot of creative time.There was less kids so my DD didn't get sick alot either.I was so nervous when I made the decision to put her in daycare but it all worked out well.I always asked her what her favorite part of the day was and she'd say the craft she did and then I'd ask her what her least favorite part of the day was and she'd say,when you pick me up to take me home.LOL My feelings were hurt as first but as least I knew she liked it and was having a good time.I had nobody around me with a child Katies age so it worked out well and she had a playmate her own age.Somebody to play with besides mommy is always a good thing.

By Breann on Wednesday, October 4, 2006 - 02:26 pm:

Look for a "preschool" rather than a "daycare". There is quite a bit of difference. My little boy is 4 and goes to preschool twice a week for 2 hours each day. There are other preschools in the area that have 4 year olds go 3 times a week for 2 hours each day.
If you live in a bigger area, it will probably be easier to find a preschool with longer hours, and more suited to your time frame.
Ask to view their monthly calendar. My DS brings home a new calendar at the first of each month. Each preschool day is marked with what they will be learning that day. For example "Sharing. Squares. The letter B".

I think it's completely reasonable to ask to sit in on class time with the preschool teacher. See how she interacts with the kids.

We love our preschool teacher. She is so loving and sweet. My DS will "graduate" next spring.

By Melanie on Wednesday, October 4, 2006 - 02:27 pm:

I look for what kind of activities they do with the kids. Is it a free for all play time setting, or is there a purpose to the games and activities they organize? I looked for a program that was play based, but I wanted to see that the teachers were leading and guiding the learning environment. I wanted it to be a preschool, not just a day care type environment.

Also, I looked at the type of discipline that was used. While visiting a preschool, I listened to one of the teachers use language while disciplining that was very similar to language I use at home. I knew at that moment that was the program for us. (Turns out that teacher was a huge fan of Love and Logic and used it regularly...just like I do at home).

Also, things like teacher/child ratio, the general feel of the space both inside and out, and how responsive they are to the emotional needs of the kids. My daughter has difficulty separating from me and I needed someone tender yet strong enough for me to walk out the door and them to handle the transition time in a way that would minimize the drama of the good-bye.

Good luck!

By Tarable on Wednesday, October 4, 2006 - 02:50 pm:

My sister takes her boys to a mothers day out 3 times a week that is run by a church. They love it. The classes aren't taht big and it is somewhere between a daycare adn a true preschool. It has helped her a lot to get things like shopping and cleaning done while they are gone. You might check your area churches to see what kind of things they have sometimes they are more geared for 1/2 day and only a few days a week unlike most daycares.

The biggest thing I have found when trying out a new daycare or preschool is to show up unannounced and to see how thing are then. Also use your instincts.. If there is something that makes you uncomfortable about it (besides just leaving you kid) then it is probably not the place your y'all.

By Reds9298 on Wednesday, October 4, 2006 - 02:52 pm:

Not alot of time post right now, but a preschool class doesn't run 4 hours does it? Usually they are 1 1/2 hrs. for 1-3 days/week.

By Dawnk777 on Wednesday, October 4, 2006 - 03:17 pm:

Emily's preschool went from 9-11am. She was 4, when she went there. She didn't think it was long enough. They had time for free play and time for stories, a craft, and outside time. The best thing is, was that it was across the street, so we usually walked there, except on the days that I remembered at the last minute, it was our turn to bring the treat and we had to run to the store first! I think they do have longer hours now, though, but I don't think it's 4 hours. They go from 9-11:30am.

Great Beginnings Preschool

By Pamt on Wednesday, October 4, 2006 - 05:57 pm:

I think a Mother's Day Out would be a great idea! I'd focus on small teacher:child ratio, lots of imaginative toys and learning centers, craft and story time, outside play, and hands-on learning experiences. I personally am not at all impressed by a "curriculum" at this age other than thematic units perhaps. Kids don't need to be at tables doing worksheets--they need to be playing.

By Reds9298 on Wednesday, October 4, 2006 - 08:46 pm:

Ditto Pamt - exactly! That is exactly what I will be looking for next spring when it comes time for preschool for Natalie. The only other thing I add to that is the basics...extremely clean and teacher(s) who seem to enjoy what they do and encourage creativity.

By Heaventree on Wednesday, October 4, 2006 - 09:19 pm:

Heidi,

Here is Matthew's daily schedule, he goes 3 days a week from 8:30 - 12:00:

8:15-8:50 Welcome/Attendance & Queit Play
8:55-9:15 Centre Play (1 on 1 time with Big Buddy)
9:15-9:30 Circle 1: Welcome song, Calendar, Theme Song, Discussion of Theme, Craft
9:30-9:40 Free Play
9:40-9:50 Washroom
9:50-10:05 Snack
10:10-10:40 Outdoor play or reading buddy time
10:40-10:50 Return to classroom and tidy up
11:15-11:30 Circle 3: Colour/Letter/Number
Welcome Song, Weather, Story, Show & Tell, Learning Activity (With one circle per week having not seat work activity)
11:30-11:50 Free Play & student tidy up classroom
11:50-12:00 Good-bye Circle, Ready for home time & leave

Each week has a theme and they usually bring home artwork depicting whatever that week is, for example Animals on the Farm, Halloween, Thanksgiving, Creatures of the Sea, Nursery Rhymes, etc.

I think it's a lot for one day, but he's really happy and always looks forward to going, he goes Mon. Tues. Wed. He usually goes down for a nap at 1:30 and if I don't go and wake him up I won't see him until 4-4:30 so he's pretty tired out. However, I have noticed that he is more able to sit and do more structured things at home now with less direct instruction from me. He sat all evening and did his number and letter puzzles with very little help from me. His languauge and number skills have improved quite dramatically in just 4 weeks. It's a shame we are moving, he's going to miss the school and I'm not sure if I'll find another program that is as inexpensive as this one. The structure has been great for him.

It's too bad your Montessori will not change diapers, the one close to us does, but they charge a fortune, there's no way I'd be able to afford it unless I went back to work.

Hope you find something that works for you.

By Mrsheidi on Wednesday, October 4, 2006 - 10:21 pm:

Thanks everyone...keep 'em coming!

Wow, Heaven. That's exactly what i want. ugh.

I'll look into some church programs tomorrow. I really want a low class size. He's *very* accustomed to one on one attention and i don't want it to be a bad transition.

i also inquired about another place called "Child Time" learning center. it seems that they have age appropriate settings and structure. we'll see...i've GOT to sleep.

By Amecmom on Wednesday, October 4, 2006 - 10:47 pm:

Clean, a place where the child is valued and loved as an individual - not a robot - a place where children can interact freely and safely in a small class environment - a 3 to 4 student to adult ratio.
Ame