Trying to Decide on a Preschool

I am interested in the reponses, but there aren't many so far. There are 3 pre-schools by the director of Mothers-day-out where my guy goes. It's a great curriculum, In MY OPINION.(don't know the name, but it's not Montesorri). I pay $160 a month for two 3.5hr days a week. The school goes through kindergarden. I have looked for additional days at other schools too. I ask them their teaching philosophy and then do net-research.
After you choose a philosophy you like, then see if they'll do a one month trial w/ability to drop out.
My thought; better to introduce it to your DD now before she HAS to go. Goodluck & I'll check back for the rest of the responses! :)

Hi there,
I am a huge fan of Barefoot Kids in Virginia Beach. It is on Kempsville very near the Golden Corrall, near the intersection of K'ville and Indian River Road. It's Christian based and has a nice curriculum, and you get to know the owner on a first name basis. It's very family oriented. I'd definitely check it out.
I don't know that much about Kindercare, but can tell you that most daycare chains have a high turnover, so ask about that. You don't want you preschooler to have one teacher after another, consistency is pretty important at that age.

Good luck!

Not sure where in VA BCH you live but the school I teach at has a preschool. The school is Christ the King and it is in Norfolk. The phone number is ###-###-#### and the director is Mrs. Mislan. You can also visit the website www.ctkparish.org for pictures and more information. We have wonderful loving teachers who always put the child first and they are soft spoken. It may be out of the question because of the distance but I thought I would share. I love our preschool and both of my children have gone through this program and was very prepared for public school when I sent them.

J. -
If you want to check them out, do NOT make an appointment!! You want to catch them off-guard & see what the center is like when they aren't expecting potential students/parents. When I was in college, I worked at a daycare and the center director would make sure everything was in perfect order when she knew she had an appointment! Not that things were out of control other times, but things were "staged" when she had appointments.
Good luck!

Hi J.,

I recently had my son in the Kindercare on S. Independence and I DO NOT recommend a Kindercare. My son was in the 2yo class and he was constantly getting bit and having marks that couldn't be explained to me at the end of the day! His lead teacher even took him out of his dad's arms one morning and told him "she didn't have time for this this morning" and he hadn't even done anything! I went to the director several times with my concerns, but it only got worse. I've also had contact with corporate, but it didn't seem to do any good. I can't speak for the other Kindercare, but I do know that contacting their corporate office does no good. I pulled my son out and he's at the Child Time on London Bridge Rd. He is doing amazing there! He goes straight to his teacher in the mornings and gets great big hugs! He used to cry for us not to leave him at the Kindercare. What a difference I see in him now!

I am not familiar with the Va. Beach schools but I would start sooner rather than later. Most programs have 3's that will roll into the 4's so will have very few spots. (with my daughter we waited in the cold for 2 hours to secure her spot, one of only 2 in the program) As to cost it can vary from $90 to much more but the most expensive is not always the best. Don't make an appointment. The best way to see what this place is really like is to just drop in and tour it. If possible, bring your child with you, her impression is important too. Good luck.