any bellmore/merrick/wantagh moms

Where do you send DC for preschool? My SIL sends my niece to Maplewood in Wantagh, but apparently they are owned by the same people as Carousel, and they are also operating a full day program illegally. Nothing horrible has ever happened, SIL likes the school. But the fact that they were not following proper procedure really upset her, and she is looking elsewhere for her DD in September. Any suggestions\? TIA!

Re: any bellmore/merrick/wantagh moms

DS is going to the Firehouse which is in East Meadow where we live.

The Merrick Commuinity Nursery School was our second choice. They have a webiste online and I spoke to them over the phone and they were very nice. They fill up fast so I would suggest calling them ASAP if interested.

Message edited 3/20/2009 11:28:47 PM.

Re: any bellmore/merrick/wantagh moms

Tender Garden on Hempstead Tpke / Levittown.

Re: any bellmore/merrick/wantagh moms

I am sending DS to St.John's Lutheran church pre-school on Merrick Ave. across from the middle school. I found them the most reasonably priced.

Has she tried Merrick woods? I have heard only good things about them but they are a little pricey IMO.

Re: any bellmore/merrick/wantagh moms

Thanks ladies! I am going to give her all of these schools to look into

Re: any bellmore/merrick/wantagh moms

Posted by JRD2008

Where do you send DC for preschool? My SIL sends my niece to Maplewood in Wantagh, but apparently they are owned by the same people as Carousel, and they are also operating a full day program illegally. Nothing horrible has ever happened, SIL likes the school. But the fact that they were not following proper procedure really upset her, and she is looking elsewhere for her DD in September. Any suggestions\? TIA!

Re: any bellmore/merrick/wantagh moms

In yesterday and today's newsday, it said they were ordered to turn over all of their records ans are being thoroughly investigated. They were found to be operating without a daycare license, which is what they need since they have children in the school for more than 3 hrs. a day. They are registered with the NYS Board of Regents, but not as a day care. Of course, they can comply and get it and problem solved. But the paper said they applied in 1998, and again in 2001, and both times they withdrew their application. Why would they withdraw if they had children in the school from 9-4 everyday, and knew they were legally required to have it? At drop off yesterday, my sister asked the director, Joe Holden, about it and he said they do not have a daycare. But anything over 3 hrs a day is considered day care in New York State! That school has been around since 1949, there is no way they "didn't know" the rules, especially since they applied before. My sister may be overreacting, like I said, she likes the school. But it makes her uneasy that her DD was going to a school that wasn't even licensed to have her daughter there all day!