I'm looking for any suggestions of preschools with a play based philosophy that are in the San Fernando Valley area or Pasadena area. This can also include Eagle Rock, Glendale, and Burbank. He's currently enrolled in a Montessori school and while the school is good, we're starting to think the method may not be right for him. He's been in the school since he was 2 and will be 3 in a month. A friend who is a child development major suggested we try a play based school to better suit his personality. He's not getting in trouble or anything at school, but he does have major anxiety about if he's going to school, literally EVERY DAY when he's home, though he goes to school 3 days a week. I would expect some tears here and there at drop off, but not this degree of anxiety at home. It has also led to some regressive behaviors at home. Thanks in advance.
my daughter attends CEC (Child Education Center) in La Canada. they have a strong play base philosophy. we are very happy with them.
ceconline.org
My daughter has attended Crescenta Canada Nursery School in La Canada for 2 years and loves it! I'm also on the board of directors and I love being involved as well. The 3 year olds go to school T/Th 9-11:45 and the 4 year olds go M/W/F from 9-12. You can check out the website http://ccnsonline.com/ or call ###-###-####. Good luck to you!
you should check out the preschool my son goes to called Kid's Klub in Pasadena ... www.kidsklubcdc.com its a very secure school ...and very fun..they had an olympics event today.. its pretty big and they have 5 different playgrounds outside..for different ages..inside there is a giant wall size aquarium and a room with reptiles ..a library ..theater room..fun school..
if u decide to join can u mention that i recommended u? b/c then i'll get a little discount for suggesting..
Deborah D. ..
good luck :)
You have already received some good suggestions from the other moms. But you might also check out Lighted Window Preschool in La Canada, on foothill Blvd. They have a great facility and really special play area. Our son will be starting there this summer, but many of the children from his daycare transitioned there last year, as well as toddlers in his age group this year. We are really excited for him to start.
We checked out montissouri schools too, as. I attended one myself, but we quickly realized it wasn't the right environment for our son.
Good luck!
My son, who is nearly 2, has been attending the same home-based daycare since he was 4 months old and is very happy. My older son went there as well until he started kindergarten. He loved it there as well. Claudia and her helper Maria are in Burbank near NBC & Providence St. Joseph's. My husband and I specifically wanted a play-focused, relaxed environment. They love the kids and the kids love them. Please send me a note if you want her contact info.
Side note: My older son was in a larger daycare with several older children before Claudia for a few months and he would get hysterical when my husband pulled in the driveway, was biting kids there and us at home, etc. The lady there and her helpers treated him like a paycheck and it was obvious that they couldn't wait for him to be picked up, he would be sitting with one of them outside with his jacket on everyday. The minute he walked in for our first visit with her, he threw his jacket on her couch and started playing. His first week, Claudia and Maria were embarrassed because he wanted them to kiss him when he went down for his nap - he was so comfortable already (they wouldn't because they felt it was inappropriate, which I respected). He was 2 years and 2 months old.
Here's a tip: Most church daycares are play-based learning. (That might help you find one easier... Good luck!)
check out Magic Yard in Studio City ###-###-#### - the owner, Barbara Diner is excellent - my daughter is 10 now but we both loved it
L.
Not all children will thrive in a Montessori-type environment. Not that it matters, but it sounds like your child wasn’t in a real Montessori program if he was able to go part time. My 2.5 yr old goes to an accredited Montessori school full time and seems to be doing alright with it. True accredited Montessori school's big thing is that part time Montessoris' aren't really true Montessori programs because they can't follow the real teaching methods part time. Whatever.... my son says he likes school but does cry whenever I drop him off (he doesn't cry when my hubby drops him off). Since I got laid off from work, I don't really need my son in school full-time (but since I got pregnant, I'm liking my downtime ;-)
As a side note, my friend’s child had a really difficult time adjusting to preschool, crying all the time at school and at home, stopped eating and sleeping, and would visibly get anxious and disturbed whenever “school” was mentioned. My friend thought her child was maybe too young. I and the teacher told her otherwise. Her teacher actually suggested having the child go everyday for a few hours, to establish a pattern, then she could decide if she wanted to back off to part time again. And it worked. Took 1 1/2 weeks and now she loves it.
I have friends who are very, very happy with Colonial House and Pacific Oaks in South Pasadena and also Altadena Nursery and Hastings Ranch Nursery (both co-ops) in Pasadena. And I've heard good things about Stoneman and CEC as well. I do think most places require 3 year olds to be potty trained (meaning able to use the toilet unassisted and without reminding and able change themselves if they do have an accident). You’ll have to check into that.
Some things about Kids Klub...My son did attend Kids Klub (Child Development Center) Pasadena from 10 mos to 22 mos and was in the infant/toddler program there, and I have a number of friends and associates who send or have sent their kids there. We have mixed reviews. KKCDC isn't really a play based school, it's probably more a traditional learning environment. If your son is 3, he would be in the preschool program.
Some good things about KKCDC....there is lots for the kiddies to do there and the place is the Disneyland of daycare. The hours are absolutely convenient (7:30am - 10pm, plus weekends). The place is lots of FUN! The place is secure and relatively well organized. You will always know what your child is doing, plus everything is taped. Healthy meals and snacks and diapers are provided. The food is prepared in-house, is very good, but is not organic (if that’s what is important to you). There are lots of parties for every holiday where the parents are invited. Your child will never be “kicked out” for developmentally “bad” behavior (my son was the biter and hitter of the class and the caregivers handled each situation patiently, lovingly, and wonderfully). I have a few associates whose children are a little older and in the preschool programs and just love it there.
On the downside, the place is huge. My son was one of 24 toddlers with 6-8 teachers. If your child needs individual attention, he'll be lost there. There seemed to be a big turnover of teachers there, at least with the infant/toddler program. Three of us parents had crying children everyday that we attribute to the high turnover and the lack of a steady primary caregiver (something I think important when they are so young). I ended up moving my son to his current preschool, one ended up temporarily taking her son out until he was old enough for the preschool program (he seems to be better adjusted there now, plus his infant brother is there too), one ended up taking her daughter out when she came home with a big bump on the head and no one knew anything about it. None of us were fans of the infant/toddler administrator who seemed to gloss over everything. When I had dietary concerns with my son, I talked to his teacher about it, she said ok, then the very next day, I saw them about to feed my son the very thing I said he was allergic to. I had to stop them and talk to the head of the toddler program, who had to drag me to the side and go on and on about how concerned they were about kids allergies and drag me over to her files and show me all the letters she had from other parents who were happy with the care they were receiving, etc. At the moment, I couldn't care less about other parents and needed to get to work, but she had to go on and on without addressing the mistake they made with my son. Lastly, there seems to be a group mentality, stay with the program method for teaching and keeping the kids occupied. When my son with still in the infant program, his primary caregiver of the week mentioned that my son was starting to act out and seemed “bored” and she thought it was because he had outgrown the infant program. My response was to say, "Well, teach him something new then, or move him up in the program." But nothing was ever done. I’m wondering if the preschool programs have a group mentality towards teaching and caregiving as well or if they’ll recognize a child that is gifted or needs more attention.
I still use KKCDC every once in a while when I need weekend care. It’s sort of a necessary evil/blessing. He’s in the middle of the potty training stage, and they were really good about taking all of the kids to the potty regularly. Also, he seems to eat well there (something he doesn’t do so well at his current school---maybe it’s the lunch I provide?) My son always has great fun, loves the aquariums, and I know he can hold his own there so will be okay.
Good luck to you!
My son really loves going to Sierra Madre Nursery School in Sierra Madre.
Cottage Co-op is also amazing in Pasadena. Both are Co-op schools and both are developmental schools. very fun!!! lots of play!!!
good luck
We had enrolled my daughter in a Montessori school and went through the same thing with her. It was awful. She would start crying the night before saying how she hated school. Montessori just isn't right for everyone. We put our daughter at Stoneman in San Marino and it is fabulous! She loves it and has thrived both emotionally and intellectually. It is run through their recreation department and is very reasonably priced.
