I am trying to figure out about preschool for my daughter who will be 3 on October 19. She is very intelligent and I more than ready to start some type of formal cirriculum. She is currently at home with me or my mother-in-law, no out of home day care at this point. Do or should all kids attend preschool? Also, any recommendations for a good, affordable, not heavily religious preschool in the Spring/Woodlands area. We live in Augusta Pines, don't want to have to go to far or spend tons of money. Thanks.
I have worked at and sent my daughters to Interfaith Child Development Center on Rush Haven in village of Panther Creek. They have many different programs for all prices and situations. Wonderful school. You won't be disappointed.
I have a daughter about the same age as yours and have decided to send her to Mother's Day Out this year. I think she could use the social interaction. I also think it will help her adjust to following directions and give her a chance to work on crafts (which is definitely not my strong point). Northwoods Presbyterian Church has a geat program (www.northwoods.org). It is at 1960 and TC Jester. They have flexible days and hours and amazing teachers, who are very warm and caring. They also have a preschool, so your daughter could stay for the next two years until she is old enough for kindergarten.
All three of my kiddos went to/are now attending Stepping Stones in The Woodlands.....we love it there, we love all of the staff and teachers, and have had no complaints!!
Mine went for the social interaction, and to help prep them for the structure of kindergarten, and thus far, it was the right choice for our family!
Good luck
You may try a mother's day out program. Several churches offer them. They aren't heavily religious either, but at 3 it's just the right amount of time a week and at the right price, otherwise anything in The Woodlands comes with a nice price tag, so you may check the 2920/Spring area as well.
I'm sure you know that your dd's dob is behind the cutoff date. She'll be 3 but only after the cutoff. Most schools, preschools included, will group kids according to the school district's cutoff date (which varies slightly by state). With that said, if you were to start her this coming school year, you will need to put her in a "2 year old program". She will not qualify to enter a 3 year old program. She would have had to turn 3 on or b4 Sept 1. Most preschools that do offer a young program will only offer a 2 year old program for 1 day a week. But the social interaction would be tremendous.
The answer is, if you can afford it, you should always send your kids to preschool. Kindergarten teachers will tell you that they can tell the diff btw a child that has attended preschool vs one that does not. A world of difference.
Your other option would be to try a Montessorri school, which will focus more on individual developemnt as oppose to the true acedemic structure, but then they can be extremely pricey. At least 3-4 times more costly than a church driven preschool. And to be honest with you, we're not a religious family but we sent both our kids through a church program and they did not come home talking about God and Jesus all the time.
Good luck
Check out The Woodlands Young Learners Academy or Interfaith - have heard that Stepping Stones is having some challenges.
Preschool is an introduction to education and for that reason, I think it is important.
Parents tell me that Kindergarten is the new first grade. Much more is expected.
My sons just graduated from Christ Church United Methodist preschool. What an incredible preschool!! The teachers were caring and attentive. My sons enjoyed every aspect of their education, from Spanish classes to Boni's music and movement. I recommend it highly.
My kids went to Klein-Spring Montessori School.. and they loved it!! They started right when they turned 4 yrs old... And they stayed until Kindergarten.. I highly recommend them.
