Georgia Pre K Vs. Private Pre K

My daughter is in ga pre-k at a child care. I do not like it at all.They do not do any kind of work sheets.They just pretty much play in centers all day.They did not make any kind of christmas or valentines cards.I just am not happy with it at all.I will be sending my other child to a private pre-k when it is time.I hope this helps you some.

I don't have a child that age yet, but have been a classroom teacher for 13 years (3rd grade). As far as I know, Georgia pre-K programs should all be fairly similar (covering the same material). A Montessori school has a completely different approach to the instruction than Primrose or other traditional programs. I would recommend taking a day from work and actually visit/sit in these different programs to see what is right for you. I'm not sure that the extra cost is necessary in giving your daughter what she needs to be ready for kindergarten. You also need to consider that your daughter is already familiar/comfortable with where she is now and her teachers. Unless there is a reason that you are unhappy with her current situation, I would recommend you just leave her there - she is getting what she needs to be ready for kindergarten.

Greetings, Before you spend money on a curriculum just because of the name... make sure that the school is actually adequately staffed to afford your daughter the attention that she deserves. High teacher turnover at any school is a bad sign and you can reinforce any learning for your daughter right at home with internet sites that support home schooling along with parental assistance. Try www.starfall.com I would suggest looking around and most recently I have been on the receiving end of a wonderful part time teaching job where for half a day the children are taught phonics, math, science, computers and foreign languages. The environment is fantastic and the reward is great. Go to www.viningsacademy.com for more details. I hope this was helpful.

This is a big decision, based on time, commitment and finances. From what I have heard, GA-Pre-K is geared towards children who have not had ANY exposure to any type of preschool, children's TV programming, reading/basic skills, etc.... There are some excellent private pre-K, including may church-affiliated programs that benefit by offering small classes and excellent teachers.

As a note, when children enter kindergarten, they are on a fast-track to learn how to read and much is expected from them, as well as their parents, in terms of homework. As the other poster has commented, the success of your child as a student will greatly depend on the educational guidelines estabilished at home and involved, dedicated teachers.

S.:

When it comes to deciding about your child's education, it's a matter of choice, finance, and preference. First let me say that Primrose has a great program. They also have the GA Pre-K program. I have two kids, a 6th grader and a 3rd grader. My 6th grader did not attend Pre-K at all. He started from Kindergarten, but my 3rd grader did the GA Pre-K when I had to work. Both of my kids have been in the gifted program since 1st grade. I guess what I'm saying is that it doesn't really matter at this age whether private or GA Pre-K. You have to find the time to lay a solid educational foundation at home by working with her. If you can afford it, go for it, but if you want to save the extra dollars for college or other funds, do the GA Pre-K. I know that Discovering Point's GA Pre-K (on Acworth Due West) is almost as good as the private Pre-K. Just pray for a good teacher that will discover her potentials by the time she starts Kindergarten through her elementary years. But shop around and good luck.

My daughter is currently in the GA pre-k at Primrose of Woodstock and is doing wonderfully. The private class is no furthur along than her class, but the biggest difference is they wear private school clothes. My friend has her child in the private class and they cover the same items each week as the GA pre-K. We had to make the same decision when it was time for ours and we talked to the teachers and other parents and they didn't see a difference for the price. If you get a discount, then it might be nice because you do not have to worry about picking up by a certain time or when the schools are out of session. Hope this helps.

Our daughter was in a local daycare in Acworth and we decided to have her do the Georgia Pre-K program there, less for the money aspect and more for the fact that she was already comfortable with the school and I didn't want to move her to another school. The experience hasn't been bad. She has very nice teachers and she has had fun but I don't think that she has learned near what my older daughter did in private Pre-K in Ohio. We work with the younger child now quite a bit at home because I want her to go to Kindergarten as well prepared as her older sister was.

S.,

I had the same concerns -- somehow something like our childrens' preschool education seems a little questionable when it's in a public setting. But if Primrose is your school of choice, did you know that Primrose of Towne Lake is part of the Georgia Pre-K Lottery Funded program? It's not Acworth, but it is Primrose. Check it out. I believe they start taking their list on March 3rd. There apparently are roughly 60 spots available. It's purely chance whether you get in or not. Another one that comes highly recommended from one the mother of my daughter's preschool mates is Kinder Care in Towne Lake. Specifically a teacher by the name of, I believe, Amy Bridges. I'll take this recommendation seriously as I have a tremendous amount of respect for this particular parent. For this school, they have, I believe, 70 openings. They are on a first-come, first-served basis. I believe they start on March 3rd as well.

It's my feeling that a lottery-funded preschool isn't any less a quality learning center than a private location. I mean, I have my preferences as to which one I will try to get my four-year old into, but where I come from, they didn't have this Lottery-funded preschool program. They said they did, but really it was just b.s. My home state has a lottery, but I seriously doubt funds are poured into preschool education like they appear to be in Georgia.

Good luck.

E.