any reviews for the Town of Islip preschool at rec centers?

Specifically the one at GreenBelt Rec center in Holtsville?

Re: any reviews for the Town of Islip preschool at rec centers?

My little brother went there years ago and my mom LOVED ot. She wants my dd to go there. I remember going there to pick him up some days and the kids always looked happy and the teachers were great. Granted this was years and years ago but I was going to look into it when the time coomes.

Where did you get info on the program, prices, etc. Can you share please

Re: any reviews for the Town of Islip preschool at rec centers?

Lady at the part told me, i was there with my 2 year old and I asked her what the building was. It is SUPER CHEAP. 75/month for Islip residents and 93$/ MONTH for non residents.
that is the 3 year old 2 day aweek program, only T and THurssday.

The 4 year old program is MWF - it is like 95 or 125 for non residents.

all 2.5 hours

Re: any reviews for the Town of Islip preschool at rec centers?

Just wanted to update , i visited the place and the teachers are not certified, that made it no-go for me.

any reviews for the Town of Islip preschool at rec centers?

My son went to their tiny tots program and I was so in love with the teachers and staff he went again for their 4 year old PreK program. Yes the teachers are not certified but they have years of experience with the kids and truly love what they do. We were fortunate to also get into UPK. Come first day of school at Greenbelt that I could not give up my spot. Especially when my then 4 year old asked me if he could go to both schools. We figured it was a phase and he would eventually get sick of going to two schools but nope. He loved Greenbelt. It helped him prepare for full day kindergarten. The staff there are wonderful. They also have many field trips where they go to the farm, the movies, the firehouse etc. It prepared my son in different ways that UPK did. I would highly recommend this program. Dont let the cheap cost or the fact the teachers are not certified dissuade you. It is a gem of a program. The main thing it is only one class a day. The ratio is 12 to 2 sometimes 3 when extra help is needed. Alot of Sachem teachers know this is a great program and send their own kids there. They are given homework and at the end of the year you are given the homework book completed and you can see their progress. I can go on and on but as you can tell I was extremely happy and we are going to miss that school :)

Re: any reviews for the Town of Islip preschool at rec centers?

My daughter attended the tiny tots and pre k program at the West Islip location. We love the program and the cost can't be beat. You would have to check but I know program fills up quickly.

Re: any reviews for the Town of Islip preschool at rec centers?

Any more recent reviews for the tiny tots program?

Re: any reviews for the Town of Islip preschool at rec centers?

Did you dd end up going to this program? How did you like it?

Message edited 4/16/2015 12:40:14 PM.

any reviews for the Town of Islip preschool at rec centers?

I've only heard good things about it. I signed my dd up for the 2 day am class for sept. Being that the program has been around 30+ years and I had other moms at sign up telling me that they went as children themselves makes me confident I made the right choice.

Eta: I'm talking about the greenbelt one. Not sure about the others.

Message edited 4/16/2015 3:29:03 PM.

Re: any reviews for the Town of Islip preschool at rec centers?

We go to the West Islip location and love it.

My oldest started last year in Tiny Tots and is now in Pre-K and my middle is in Tiny Tots and will go to PK next year.

I would have nothing but positive things to say.

any reviews for the Town of Islip preschool at rec centers?

Thank you for your replies. I have heard the program focuses more on social interaction and not so much academic. Do you agree with this or do you feel they are well prepared for kindergarten? Thanks in advance. I'm debating between the rec center program and St. John's preschool in Holbrook.