Seeking Assistance with Local preschools-Colorado Springs

Don't get discouraged! There is a little truth in what you hear. There are some schools that have a waiting list for kiddos to get into a kindergarten class. I remembering hearing ladies at church talking about putting their 2 year olds on the waiting list for kindergarten that was still 3 years down the road! I worried about this, as my oldest was 4 and being a single mom, had no clue where to even start. I highly recommend KinderCare, which is located in that area and buses to the local schools (when you little one is ready to start.) It is a daycare center, but they have a great curriculum and teach all the things the kids need to know before kindergarten. Now that both my boys are in school, one is in 2nd grade and the other kindergarten, they had no problem getting into the swing of school and knowing all the things they needed. I had help paying for it with Daycare Assistance through the state, but I loved them! And the teachers and directors were fabulous to work with! And they had hours from 6am-6pm. I am surprised you didn't get any info from Head Start, as my oldest went through Headstart also. It may make a difference when you are actually here. You can walk into a school and tell them that you want your child enrolled for head start and that you just PCSed here. It is harder to get that done over the phone, as PCS orders can change and the admin knows that. My oldest went to Otero Elem. which is in district 2 before we moved across town. They were also great to work with. I felt he was safe there and they kept me informed on what they were learning and activities we could do at home to enforce what they were learning at school. But like I said, don't get dicouraged. This town is always changing and moving because of the high ratio of military families including us! And schools know and are flexible. Good luck!

C. -
First of all, not sure if you would like a Christian environment or not, but Calvary Church has 1/2 day and all day pre-school. My sister is a teacher there and it's a wonderful environment!
Also, since you are military, check into the Child Development Center on Schriever AFB. I am sure that you would be able to place your child there even though your stationed on Fort Carson. Our daughters go there and I can't say enough about it! The teachers are wonderful, they teach the children sign language and stranger danger. They do crafts and read to them. Its really a wonderful place! Our daughters actually cry when we pick them up sometimes because their having so much fun there! The CDC on Schriever's # is ###-###-#### if your interested! Good luck! I hope you enjoy CO!

Try a Montessori School. The kids love them. We were not in Colorado Springs when mine was in school, so you may have to visit some. I know of one in Falcon, but if you're in town, that would be a real pain in the wintertime. They give them a great start, and they want them in there when they're young, hallelujah!

Because you are coming mid-school year it could be very difficult for you to find a spot for your child in the school district preschools. The district preschools are also only half day. We currently reside at the north end, and my children have gone to district 20 preschools. I have heard good things about Preschool Partner, but it is also half day. Ruth Washburn is a preschool co-op that I have heard some wonderful things about as well. I am not exactly sure where either is located. Good luck with your PCS.

C.

On post at least, preschool is primarily special-needs & then they save some peer group slots. We were lucky enough to get slots for both of our boys, but there's always a wait list & I started the preschool process in Jan for August of that year. Kindergarten is required, to my knowledge, & they make room for each kid. Full day kindergarten isn't the norm in CO though, so there's a chance you will be paying for a full day program. We moved a few mos ago, but when we left there was no state funding for kindergarten so half day was the norm & you could opt for full day at a cost. I'm not sure about off post though.

LOVE LOVE LOVE where we send our son (he's 2). It's called Play Mountain Place (downtown on Willamette ###-###-####). EXCELLENT care and learning. I think they take kids up to 4. Reasonably priced too (we're a military family as well). Carla Faith runs the school and is incredible.

They have a sister school called Counterpoint (just down the street) for slightly older kids.

I will tell you that there are some districts I would stay away from and certain district schools I would stay a from. I live in district 11 and choiced(pick other school then home school) my daughter into another d11 school. In doing my research there are some great school in d11 and d20. D20 is know for their education and high standards. Now with saying that there are some schools like all districts that have some issues but most are great. I would recommend in d11 Trailblazer, Scott Chipeta, Straton elementry schools. D20 would definatly be way across town but if you can not find anything then check with them. I hope this helps. Colorado has great schools!!!