If you send your toddler to nursery school..

How many places did you check out first before deciding? What exactly did you look for in a school? Did you send your LO for a 1/2 day or full day? Also, if you don't mind sharing (you can fm me if you'd like), about how much did/do you pay?

I am thinking about enrolling DD in nursery school and have no idea where to start. She's never been in a daycare type setting so I'm kind of new to this whole checking out places and interviewing directors, etc. I have no idea what I should even be asking these places

Thanks!

Message edited 1/30/2012 10:58:30 AM.

Re: If you send your toddler to nursery school..

We had a recommendation from a friend, attended the Open House and signed DD up. We were happy with our choice as our oldest DD attended for 3 years (it was 3 years ago) and now our youngest DD goes there as well. My DD attends the 2 year old program and it is only 2 days a week for 1.5 hours. It's a perfect amount of time at that age (to me). We pay $130 per month. When she attends next school year, it will be the 3 year old program 3 days per week for 2.5 hours per day. I think it might be $150 per month then.

ETA: I asked questions about what I could expect DD to learn in the 2 year old program. They answered while it is mostly social that I could expect her to learn her colors, counting, ABC, weather, songs, etc. If you have concerns about how they handle discipline then I would ask that as well.

Message edited 1/30/2012 11:05:00 AM.

Re: If you send your toddler to nursery school..

Re: If you send your toddler to nursery school..

For DD#2, I checked out about 4 places. They were all very thorough during my tour so I didn't have to ask THAT many questions.

She starts in July. 15 hours a week. $195 a week. In the summer she'll go T/W/Th from 9-2 and the the fall I will either keep it the same or do 9-12 every day. I haven't decided yet.

Re: If you send your toddler to nursery school..

i think 3... i looked at each one to decide and also asked around..

we decided on one in my hometown that i knew of for years.. great reputation.

Romper Room in Williston Park

FM me if you have any questions

Message edited 1/30/2012 6:21:56 PM.

Re: If you send your toddler to nursery school..

I checked out 4 different schools. They all gave good tours with tons of info and take home papers to review everything. I went by my emotions. We are happy.

Re: If you send your toddler to nursery school..

with DS he went to a special ed school at the age of 2. 3 days a week for 3 hours a day.

with DD who is typical we looked at 2 schools.. this is for the 2 year old old program.

i was set on her going with her friends but DH didn't like the fact it was a co-op. so we sent her to a 2 year old program with her cousins (the oldest cousin did the 2 year old program last year and her other cousin is her age) she goes 2 days a week for 2.5 hours. definitely NOT enough time. if DD could she would go every day.

next year we are looking for a school closer to home, so she can either do a full day for 3 days or 5 afternoons. (this would be a 3 year old program)

Re: If you send your toddler to nursery school..

I never checked out any of the schools.

With DC #1, my DH happened to be at the YMCA and he noticed registration for nursery school was going on. He called me from his cell asking me if I wanted to enroll our 2 year old in a class. I said "sure!" It was purely for socialization, so we signed her up for 2 days a week for 2.5 hrs. We had a wonderful experience and stayed for another year, but decided to switch to a different school because most of the children weren't in the same school district as us and I wanted her to develop some friendships with future classmates (and so we could meet some parents from our area as well.) We've remained friends with a number of her classmates and their parents from both years.

I didn't check out the second nursery school either. A friend sent her DD there and she seemed pretty happy with the place, so I just decided to register my DD there as well. Again, a great experience, now my DC#2 attends the nursery school and DC#3 will be there as well next year. He will be starting the 2 year old program next year, but I have him attending 3 days a week for 2.5 hours (same days/hours as his 4 year old brother.)

Message edited 1/31/2012 10:46:59 PM.

Re: If you send your toddler to nursery school..

I think we visited 5. I visited DS's current preschool 3x before enrolling him. We are really happy with the school.

The original plan was for me to be a SAHM and put DS in part time preschool. He started with 2 half days a week (9-12) because that was the only spot they had. Then we put him in 5 half days a week.

I ended up getting a part time job and he now goes full time 5 days a week (9-3).

Re: If you send your toddler to nursery school..

Just one... we got a ton of recommendations for this place - it's the place most of the ppl in my district use. We went checked out the place, had a very thorough tour, asked some questions and decided to go with it.

Re: If you send your toddler to nursery school..

I never really checked ANY of them out!

Several people around my neighborhood recommended the local Catholic school. I had already done a Mommy and Me program for 2 yr olds at the school, so I was familiar with the place. I signed DS up, and that was that. We liked it so much we are keeping him there for elementary school, and my DD will be starting nursery there in September!

Re: If you send your toddler to nursery school..

I went on a rec. from other people. I paid $215, 3 days for 2.5 hours last year for the nursery program.