I recently moved to the area with my husband and our one and a half year old daughter. We live in Shawnee (West) now (off 435) but moved from an area where we had to have our daughter on a waiting list for preschool since basically birth. I was wondering if anyone could tell me their opinions on the best preschool in the Shawnee/Lenexa/OP area (preferrably off or near 435 or in Shawnee area). Religious affiliation doesn't matter to us as much as getting her into the best preschool possible. We'd also consider Montessori schools if people highly recommended one. Do we need to get our daughter on a waiting list now for these schools? We'd like to start her in some program around 3. Thanks so much for your advice!
Hi J.
I would highly recommend going through JCPRD. They have an excelent program and they are located at 435 & Midland Drive. Here is the web site:www.jcprd.com once there click on activities & programs, then click on childcare, then click on preschool programs. I hope this helps!
C.
Grace Covenant Presbyterian has a great preschool. It's located off of College Blvd. and Neiman and its pretty close to I-435 in Overland Park.
I also live in Shawnee and have sent both my kids to Sunshine Preschool. They both started in a 3 year-old class (meaning they turn 3 during the year), so they will both have 3 years of preschool (3 year old, 4 year old, and pre-K). I think very highly of the director, Sandy Walterscheid- ###-###-#### or ###-###-####. Good luck!
My granddaughter went to Sunshine Preschool and she loved it. The staff there are the best. Go by and check them out. Sandy is the director and she is great.
My daughter goes to Christots Country Montessori School. www.christots.com
They have a little school that is for 18 months to 3 years and then the big school that is for 3-6 (they do kindergarten too). I have a 3 1/4 year old that goes to the big school and an almost 2 year old that will start at the little school in August.
We really like it and she is learning so much. They focus a lot on nature and have a nature center with a horse, goat, chickens, and ducks. I am not sure what the waiting list is like right now.
Good luck!
M.
Dear J.,
I had been searching as well, thinking that I'd need care for my (will-be) 3-year-old and fifteen-month-old... I searched far and wide and came to the conclusion that there aren't really that many attractive options - then found out that we're expecting (in January) and I won't be returning to work so soon. Nearer to you guys, and I checked it out myself, is Christots Montessori off of Shawnee Mission Parkway and Monticello roads in Western Shawnee. It's a Christian affiliated Montessori set in a beautiful woodsy backdrop. They take infants, which is a lot of what I was searching for. There is also (a little further out) Alpha Montessori (114th and Wornall) that will take younger ones: 18 months and on. Also, if you'll need care by the time child is 3, Highlawn Montessori (around 80th and Mission) looks to be an amazing environment. I also checked out a couple of other Montessori schools (that I did not fall in love with). There are also the national chains: The Goddard School and La Petit Academy, neither of which I can personally vouge for as far as quality. Please let me know if you uncover anything else in your search. Take care,
K.
Our son goes to Canterbury Academy at Shawnee Crossings (K-7 and Shawnee Mission Pkwy). It is a Montessori-based curriculum and we (son and parents!) are very happy.
J., We haven't been in their preschool yet - my son just turned 2 - but we've been with The Goddard School on Shawnee Mission Pkwy near K-7 since he was an infant and we've been very happy with it. They have a good curriculum, and the teachers are wonderful. There is very little staff turn-over, and the staff are very responsive and caring. We definitely recommend them.
We toured 5 preschools in the Shawnee, Lenexa, Overland Park area. We ultimately decided on St. Paul's United Methodis Preschool in Lenexa - located at 79th & Lackman Road. That is not far from you. We also toured the Goddard School and Montessori schools there in western Shawnee off of SM Parkway but St. Paul's had more to offer, smaller classes, and more affordable. They also have Children's Day Out classes for 2 1/2 - 3 1/2 year olds for beginner kids. They have several different flexible programs available.
My son has been attending there for 2 years and he loves it! Check them out at www.preschool.stpaulslenexa.org!
Best of luck in your search! Hope this helps.
- Y.
Shawnee Presbyterian Preschool, located at 6837 Nieman, is excellent.
