I am new to California, and am starting to look at all my options as far as education goes for my daughter who will be in Kindergarten next fall. I was a teacher for many years at a highly progressive, child-centered, hands-on learning, (no workbooks, no textbooks, etc.) type of school which totally meshes with my philosophy of education. I live in the Oceanside, Carlsbad, Vista area and haven't been able to find this type of school that allows for creative thinking and authentic, child-centered learning. I am also looking for a place for my 3 year old to go a few mornings a week...any suggestions?
Well contact the school board, and maybe the city? I live in San Marcos so I don't know much about Oceanside area.
Also http://moms.meetup.com/817/ or http://sahm.meetup.com/505/ or http://moms.meetup.com/827/ they are all great moms groups in the area and there is another is called Carlsbad moms and tots on meetup.com. I know some of them have school information and kids in school.
Good luck.
I send my almost 4 year old son to Encinitas Country Day School and we love it! It is a Montessori based program, which is child centered, and filled with creative, hands-on progressive learning experiences. This school just opened up a brand new campus with age ranges from Kindergarten to, I believe, the 8th grade. There is also the old campus which only has toddler, and preschool/kindergarten classes. This is where my son attends school right now. We intend to continue at the other campus when the time comes. I do not know if this school fits exactly with your philosophy of education but I think it is worth you checking out and observing.
I am not really educated on the different types of education (ha)...but my girlfriend who is all about he philosophy of this school thinks it is the best thing on the planet. Perhaps it is something like what you are looking for? http://www.sanderlingschool.org/
I also know there is a school in Vista that supposedly mixes challenged students with non-challenged students to teach them compassion and all that comes with it, I hear it is great.
As for your 3 year old....my 2.5 year old is going to the Center for Children and Families at Cal State San Marcos. I wouldn't go anywhere else! It is amazing! It was just built in Sept. and is so clean and the teachers are amazing, the director is great, the chef is fabulous. My daughter thinks it is the best thing on the earth, when we turn the corner she sees it and yells out "there's my school!". The best part is 4:1 ratios! The dump across the street has a 12:1 ratio and I found most places to be dirty. She has walked right in and started playing every day since her first, has never cried and never minded that I leave. I have never worried about her once. They have cameras in each class too.
http://www.cclc.com/csusm/
Good luck.
There is a new Waldorf school opening for next school year. I suggest researching Waldorf education. It sounds like what you are looking for. The new school is called Rock Rose School for Creative Learning and I believe will be located in San Marcos. The school is starting with a Kinder next year and from what I have heard the teacher is amazing. I have some contact information if you would like more information. Just send me a message. Good luck!
