Hello, I am moving to Michigan and looking for childcare (full time) for my 18 month old boy and 3 year old girl. I do not know many people in the area. It would really help to hear thoughts (good or bad) from other moms in south east Michigan that can recommend places for me to go check out. We are going to live in Oakland County - likely in the areas of Huntington Woods, Burmingham, Bloomfield Hills or Royal Oak. Warm thanks for your thoughts & suggestions, M. (____@____.com)
My 3 yr old granddaughter is in a preschool/daycare center run by Our Shepherd MO Synod Lutheran Church in Birmingham. My daughter and her little one love it!
My children - 3 year old son and 6 month old daughter - attend Gateway Country Day School and Child Care Center in Clawson, MI. My son has been there since he was 4.5 months old. They provide Child Care, young preschool, preschool and pre-kindergarten. We love it. They are so good with both children and provide so many fun activities - especially for the older children. They provide lunches and snacks, as well as diapers and wipes (at a diaper rate), and a discount for sibilings. There are several other daycare centers in the area, but for my family, this was the best place, hours, and services.
I would love to stay home with my children, but don't have the option. I did look at a few in-home daycares, but a center worked better for us because of our hours and I like the idea of having more eyes on my children. Also, I liked the fact that they could do preschool and pre- kindergarten right there. My son has learned so much from being there and made so many friends. Here is their website if you want to check them out - the phone # is listed on the site as well. www.gatewaycds.com. Let me know if you need any additional info.
Hello M.,
My son just turned one and has been attending IXL in Birmingham since he was 3 months old. He has been doing very well there and seems to really love it! They also have different levels leading up to Kindergarten. They have an Infant room and just added and Infant Too room which my son has just graduated to. After that he will go to the Toddler room which is very big and divided into two areas so the younger ones can gradually join the older ones. Then another big room for young preschool and pre-k kids. It is a really nice place and I genuinely like all of the women who have worked with my son so far. It is located at 14 Mile/Woodward (easily accessible from several towns). Their website is www.ixlkids.com.
I have no personal experience with Gateway but my sister sent her son there for several years and she always liked it. I didn't consider it because even though it is also on 14 Mile Road, it is in the complete opposite direction from where I live/work. Good luck with your search!
M.,
I think your area may be too broad with too many variables. Several school districts in Oakland County offer a pre-school option - my daughter goes to Royal Oak schools which i know have a pre-school option but i never used it. Some of the schools may only offer pt pre-school, is that what you are looking for or do you need full-time?
I think you need to research the school districts and then, when you have narrowed it down to 2 or 3 pre-schools, ask the Mama's for their reviews/input.
Good luck on your move.
