I am looking for some advice on preschools for my four year old daughter. I teach for GRPS, and would like to put her in a GRPS preschool. Here are the issues: Diversity is very important. She is biracial (black and white) and bilingual (I only speak in Spanish to her), so it is very important to me that she go to school in a diverse setting. Also, last year her daycare was run like a preschool and she learned a lot such as simple addition and subtraction, all the letters and sounds (they began to teach them to read so she can read simple words and sound out others she does not know)and beginning writing skills (inventive spelling). So I really don't want her to be bored, or go backward in a sense, and not continue where she left off in the daycare.
I feel divided because I work for GRPS, and have for the past three years. I want to believe in our schools, and be part of the solution in bettering them, but I also want a quality education. So, I need suggestions! Please share schools you've had good or bad experiences with. Thanks!!
Hi J=Lin
I would recommend Heritage Preschool. I had a granddaughter go there and 6 years later my grandson went there as well. The teachers remembered my granddaughter and there were no children in the families that went there between the time.
Harrison Park is doing wonders for another granddaughter.
Hope this helps
P.
My daughter went to West Leonard Early Childhood Center last year for pre-school. I couldn't sing enough praises for the team there. Miss Linda & Miss Marilyn were great with the kids, and the support team was awesome as well. She learned a lot, and is prepared academically to go to Kindergarten this year, despite not turning 5 until November.
With that said, Josephine had never been in a pre-school before, knew her ABC's if she sang them - but didn't recognize them, could count - but it was limited. She couldn't write, didn't draw a very good person, the list goes on. Basically, she was probably at the exact opposite end of the spectrum as it sounds your daughter is. She walked out recognizing letters, writing the beginning of her name (she has a long one), counting to 30, and knowing a lot more than she went in. Probably still not as advanced as your daughter though - but closer.
My recommendation to you - try and find one of the teachers to talk to, or talk to the Administrator for the Michigan School Readiness Program, explain where your daugher sits academically and ask for a recommendation. You may find that she is to advanced for the program and that she will be bored or re-gress in her learning. If that is the case - maybe they can recommend another program for her to go to.
I personally wouldn't go the GRPS route. You know as well as I do how lacking in funds they are. Good for you for being such a wonderful mom/teacher. Most preschools in GRPS are not going to offer the Spanish that you do. My daughters PS offerered very limited Spanish and it was based on High School volunteers. I think you're better off choosing a charter or private school. If these are too much to afford then just look into a tutor that comes to your house. Sounds like you do a great job as is and parent teaching is the most successful route to go. Even if she does not get all she NEEDS out of school you are right there behind her teaching her what you feel is the above and beyond. Good Job!
J., It sounds to me like your daughter is already above where most children her age is at. Obviously her daycare is doing an excellent job. Why not keep her their one more year. If it is truely ran like a preschool program and she is learning academically and socially she is getting what any preschool can give to her. Then next year if you want to support GRPS put her in the school that you teach at so that you are able to keep an eye on her and know first hand what is going on at the school. (OK I am assuming you teach elementary)
Good luck
R.
GRPS has limited choices for 4 yr old preschool, most of the programs are private preschools through the churches. I'm not sure what area of GR you live in but St. Stephens has a WONDERFUL preschool program. They are on Franklin just before Plymouth. ###-###-####) My son went for 3 & 4yr old preschool. They do lots of neat projects, practice letters, sounds and writing. As well as Spanish 2 days a week, computers and gym. Mrs Reynolds runs the program and she is amazing. The school itself is very diverse and there are actually a lot of GRPS teachers that have their children enrolled here. Good luck. Your best bet is to call and go visit the schools, get a list of parents you could call and ask about their experience. You may want to do this soon as enrollment was in the spring. :) If your daycare has done such a gr8 job thus far and is really preparing them for kindergarten like it sounds why not keep her there one more year. She is getting everything there that she would if you made a switch to "preschool"
M. D
