Hi moms. My son will be turning three in just a couple of days, and we are anxious to start him in some type of preschool environment - likely just a couple days a week - so that he will be ready in the fall for a full preschool schedule. But, honestly, I am a bit overwhelmed with the task. We are on a limited budget (along with everyone else!) and can't afford a ton of extra money going out, but we want to make the best choice for him. Does anyone have any recommendations for pre-schools in the Bonner Springs/Shawnee Kansas area? Any thoughts, good or bad, for preschools in the area would be appreciated. Thanks so much!
My son goes to Sunshine Preschool in SHawnee. I love it! They have 2 day, 3 day, and 4 day (PreK) programs. My son is older, so he is in Prek, but he went there last year too. I plan on enrolling my younger son there in the fall. The price is comparable to other schools in the area. Sandy is the director ###-###-####.
my 2 boys go to Adventure Time Preschool in Shawnee. Its great!! my 3 year old goes t-th 9-1130. this is our 2nd year there and we love it. the teachers are wonderful!!!!! the 3yr old class is $90/mo. which isn't too bad compared to some of the others I looked at.
good luck!
My son has been attending St. Paul's United Methodist Preschool for 2 years. It is actually located at 79th & Lackman in Lenexa, but not far from Shawnee. We love it there! He has been very happy there and we are thrilled to see how much he has learned.
They even have a wonderful playground for the children and they own several acres behind the school/church with trails, stream, wildlife, etc. that they take the children out for nature walks when the weather is good. The kids love it!
They also have "atrium" once a week, which is basically religion class but it is structured for younger kids. I have been a volunteer in that class and the kids really enjoy it. They also have an additional "Art Class" once a month that I have also volunteered in, and the kids do some really neat things and we hold an "art gallery" at the end of the school year showcasing the kids art - they think that is pretty cool!
The kids also visit an assisted living home just down the street every other month and we do fun activities with the tenants, sing songs, do plays, do crafts, etc. It seems to be fun for everyone involved!
The reason I can tell you so much about the school is because I only have 1 child and I am a stay home mom so I volunteer alot of my time to help out and be a part of my son's activites. It is not a requirement of course, but they do encourage and welcome parents to be as involved as they wish to be. And my son loves it when mom goes to school with him!
They also have Christmas programs and a Graduation program, fall and spring school pictures, and 1 class photo.
I just can't say enough good things about this school. My husband and I toured and interviewed 5 different programs in the Shawnee/Lenexa area and we took into consideration cost and everything they had to offer, plus small class sizes, and St. Paul's just had everything we wanted. The staff and teachers are absolutely wonderful to work with.
They have several different, flexible programs available. Young Learners is preschool for 3 year olds: Tue/Thurs - 8:15-11:15 or 12:00-3:00, $115/mo. OR M/W/F - 8:15-11:15, $135/mo. Or, they also have Children's Day Out which is a little cheaper but it is for 2 1/2 to 3 1/3 yr olds, it is only 1 or 2 days a week and is less academic instruction and more structured around socializing first time students.
They have a very informative website at www.preschool.stpaulslenexa.org. if you want to check it out. I know they are starting enrollment right now for the 2009-2010 school year. The director is Linda Edgell and you can give her a call and they will even let you come in and tour the facility. Her number is ###-###-####. Just check it out - you won't be disappointed!
You are welcome to contact me if you have any questions - I tried to give you as much information as I could remember! Good luck with your search!
- Y.
Hi D.! My daughter goes to McDanield Learning Center in Bonner. It is part of the school district, but is mainly for children with learning disabilities with some peers. My daughter was able to get in at the age of 3 because she is delayed in speech, but I think peers start at the age of 4. It's only $12/month which is used for snacks and all the teachers are great! The bus even picks my daughter up and brings her home. Many years ago when I was in HS, I went to Bonner Springs and they had a child development class where kids came in 3-4 days a week. With this one you would have to take and pick up the child. I'm not positive they still do this, but would assume they would. Good luck finding a preschool!
Not sure if you would head to Basehor which is north of Bonner Springs. There is a really good preschool called Tiny Friends/Little Friends. They are the cheapest I found when my daughter went there last year. The teachers were amazing. You might give them a call I don't have the number with me but they are located at the back of the First Baptist Church in Basehor. Renee and Malinda are the teachers and like I said they are wonderful but fill up quickly.
My girls go to Christots Montessori School. www.christots.com
They are learning so much I am amazed.
Good luck.
M.
