Seeking a Good Preschool

If you have the opportunity, I would recommend sending her to a preschool that is on the same campus as her elementary school. This made the transition to Kinder so much easier for my daughter.

Depends on where you live. I live in West Anaheim. If you want my input for this area let me know.

Beth and Peach,

Can you list the Long Beach preschools that you recommend? I'm looking for my daughter.

I've checked out Children's House Montessori on Atherton and thought it looked like a very pleasant environment. My assessment is pretty superficial, though, since I didn't take the tour. They did encourage me to come back for a tour in the morning, and the staff members were very friendly.

I also looked at Isabel Patterson (at Long Beach State), which I've heard very positive things about. My sister says they were great with my nephew, who can be a handful -- and then some. I went to IP in the afternoon, and it looked a little chaotic. I realize that wasn't the best time of day to judge for order, but I'm hoping to find a more mellow environment for my daughter, who tends to like things more peaceful. A peaceful preschool may be a totally unreasonable request, though!

Thanks so much!

--J.

You didn't say what area you were looking for but I wish you luck. Maybe just start her off on a part time basis like morning until noon or only 2 or 3 days a week.
It will be good for her to have healthy interaction with other kids her age to build social skills.
It may not be easy at first on both of you. You may just pull around the corner and cry and much as she, I know I did but I knew it was the right thing to do.
The exciting thing once they adjust is having them come home and start to exhibit things they have learned in school. You will be so proud!
Going to preschool will help prepare them for the big Kindergarten expirience and that will be a smoother adjustment.

Hi A.. My kids go to Live Oak Montessori and I think it's a great school. My son went when he was 2 and now this will be his last year. My daughter has been going for about 7 months and I know they both enjoy it because when I drop them off, I'm lucky if I get a good-bye from them because they are so excited to be with their friends and teachers. It's also a great education because my son will start kindergarten in the fall, and he already does some first grade homework!

where do you live? i'm looking for a school for my daughter as well, we live in Gardena

If you live in the Norwalk area Trinity Christiam Pre-school - Ms. Franny is the director is great!!!

A., I think that starting your daughter off with a transition school is a very good idea. I did it with my kids and they both benefited from the experience. My now six year old has been in school since he's been two and my three and a half year old since he was two and a half and they both love going to school. Sure at the beginning its a bit hard for us mommies to let go but you know its great for them. You can start by looking for a school around your community that provides pre-school with transition. I took my son to The Country School which is located in the Valley. Another place where you can look is the community colleges that are around you, they offer parent ed. classes and these classes are very helpful because they talk about everything that we are concerned about and they give good advice. I hope you find this helpful and good luck!

A. R.

Hi A.,

Putting your daughter in preschool will be the best thing you can do for her. They expect so much of the children to get in to kindergarten now that preschool will reall be a big help. Plus it will help her with social skills. Don't worry once she gets in to preschool and starts making friends she will be OK.

You need to check out a few places.Most preschols willlet you go n and check them out. If you feel they donot want you to do that, then I would stay away from that school. Do youhave any friends, neighbors or family members who can reccomened a preschool? You do not say where you are from.My advise is put sometime into checking places out.

Where do you live? I have some good suggestions for the Long Beach, CA area.

A.,
Good for you - wanting a good transition for your daughter. I think Pre-K is a great idea and it will prep your daughter for Kindergarten. Let me know if you are in the Long Beach area - and if so... I have some great choices for you.
P.

If you live in or near the South Bay...South Bay Adult School is the best! It's the lowest priced pre-school around as the State of California deems it is such a valuable program that they supplement 2/3 of the tuition. Also, the parents take turns helping in the classroom, so it is the highest adult to child ratio around. The teachers are all more than qualified pre-school teachers...most of them have Masters Degrees. I highly recommend them for Mommy and Me through pre-school.

Hi A.,
I assume you're in the South Bay/Palos Verdes area? I send my 4-year-old son to Rolling Hills United Methodist Pre-school at Crenshaw and PV Dr. N. and we LOVE it there! The staff is wonderful and the price is comparable or less than others on the hill.
Good luck,
A.