Moving to W.Seattle; Pre-School Referrals anyone?

[JanS]

pssst…redblack..WS Montessori didn’t close,they just moved to another location – farther away. here’s the website:

http://www.westseattlemontessori.com/

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[ghar72]

Curtissimo, Community School of WS has their prices on their website. http://www.communityschoolwestseattle.org/tuition.htm

Preschool for 2010 was $275/month, $3300 for the year. That’s for 6 hours a week (two days, three hours each). More expensive than a community center preschool, but cheaper than some others (at least that’s what I’ve been told). Hope that helps.

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[Foiblies11]

West Seattle is a wonderful family community filled with a lot of preschool options. Providence and Bright Horizons have good reputations. I would seriously consider Westside School. They are building a brand new early childhood education center and their school now goes all the way through middle school. Our grandson has really enjoyed his time there for the past 3 years. The kids have art, music, gym, Spanish and go on cool field trips.

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[SpeakLoud]

I havn’t heard that Westside is building a new facility-unless what you mean is they are moving the portables in and the preschool will be out in them…..

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[redblack]

jan: sorry. having failed to procreate, i’m not hip to all of the best schools. however, i did notice that montessori on 38th was demolished in favor of urban density.

my bad. good to see they found new digs. and sorry if i misled any n00bies.

:)

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[Curtissimo]

thanks Ghar. Preschool is really expensive.. I wonder how important it really is?

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[I Wonder]

Prices: based on age. Baby rooms are more expensive. Preschool – $10-12 is about the rate for all day, some places include meals which is nice. Also, figure in the number of hours open, the Mount for example is early dropoff (7am?) until 6pm, which lowers your hourly/rt.

Westide: are you referring to the fact they moved their whole school to an old elem on 34th? Lotso room.

Is preschool necessary? I think its up to the family. Daycare is expensive, but if you have to work… If you value the early days with your children, then stay at home and watch them grow. But early socialization and learning at these day care centers are extemely valuable and helpful to little ones when they enter k-school.

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[SpeakLoud]

Curtissimo-it’s not important if your hild is getting love, safety, good food, addiquate health care, stories read to them and ample enriching expereinces and materials at home-plus having the opportunity to play with peers on a fairly regular basis. Many families can provide this for their children and be happy doing so on a day in and day out basis-I honestly beluieve that this is superior to preschool HOWEVER many children do not get this opportunity and it is important that they do IMHO. And for many stay at home parenting can be lonely and isolating so having a couple of days their child is in preschool can provide a much needed adult time as well as kid time.

I would argue that childcare and preschool are different ONLY in that they offer different scheduling. Childcare is for working parents and SOME offer fantastic programs that are as good as any preschool. Preschool is part time and does not accomodate a full time working parent therfore children are not in care as long each day-it is a different vibe but it depends on what YOU NEED.

As for cost consider that most childcare staff are paid $8 to $12 an hour and have no benefits. Some preschools are not much better…but some, usually the higer priced ones are able to offer decent wages, decent benefits and good working conditions which usually equal longer employment and happy staff-very important things to consider in the quality of your childs experience.

And several schools offer a sliding fee and scholarships as well as take DSHS for payment if you qualify-check each one even if they don’t advertise it. And for affordability the Community College co-op programs can not be beat!

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