Date: Tue, 24 May 2005 18:06:38 -0400
From: Katherine
Subject: [Newcomers] Compiled Responses - Preschools

Thank you, everyone, for your responses on preschools.  I have compiled
the comments received as of this morning, but still welcome more input
from anyone else.


COMPILED PRESCHOOL COMMENTS:

1)My children, ages 4 1/2 and 2 1/2, both attend ABC. I also have a 6
month old who will go there when she turns 2. I love ABC school.

I have found the teachers to be so warm, loving, and welcoming to all
the children. Children start to use the tools of learning in the two
year old group. They develop social play and school skills. The academic
concept of colors, numbers & shapes are an integral part of their day.

The school has a Parent's Association which I am very involved in. The
parents use this to get together once a month, at the school, to plan
upcoming events (such as parties and fundraisers) and to discuss any
issues.
All parents are invited to get involved as much as desired.

A "valet" service is used to drop off and pick up your children. For me
this was great, because I did not have to get everyone out of the car to
drop of one child. The teachers take your child out of the car at drop
off, and put them in the car at pick up time. This also gives you a
quick chance to chat with their teacher.


2) Ditto on ABC.  My Daughter is there.  She turned 3 in October.  (I
think she is in with the youngest group.)  She loves it.  We like the
attention she gets and how excited she is to go.  The Teachers
communicate well with the the Parents.
 
I liked Open Door when we visited as well.  I think the ABC facility is
just a bit bigger.  Open Door is super but has a lottery and can be a
challenge to get into.  (We were deep on the wait list.)
 
My neighbor sends here child to Millburn Co-OP and loves it.  I don't
think you can go wrong with any of these choices.


3) Strawberry Hill on Mount Pleasant in Livingston is fantastic.  Wendy
Klauber, the director, offers a very nuturing environment with many 
optional
special classes: dance, computers etc.

4) I cannot say enough good things about the Millburn Co-op.  My 3 
children
went there, I liked it so much I accepted an assistant teaching position
there.  You can tell just by visiting that it is different than any 
other
school in this area.  I would be happy to offer more info if you are
interested.

5) We were very happy with Weekday, a pre-school and daycare that is 
housed in a church at the three-way intersection near the Livingston 
Mall.  Weekday Nursery Child Care Center - - 290 W Hobart Gap Rd, 
Livingston, 07039 - (973) 992-1203.  I liked several things about it.  
It was a lovely, warm, non-denominational school with caring teachers; 
it had (because of its daycare component) a lot of flexibility in its 
hours (you could leave your child for an extra hour if you needed to); 
and it is in a huge church with tons of space, so there are lots of 
rooms to go to--including an enormous multi-purpose room--if it's a 
rainy or cold day and the children can't go outside.  They also have a 
summer day-camp program.  
    Good luck with your search.  I have heard very good things about 
B'nai Jeshurun, B'nai Abraham, and B'nai Israel, if you are looking for 
a pre-school in a synagogue.

5)I have 2 boys (in the 2's & the 4's) at Christ Church-- I didn't 
really do
research and tried that because it was in the neighborhood, but it's 
been a
great experience for all of us.

6) I've heard really NOT-so-great things about abc... 
Not terrific things about CC either. 

------------------------------------------------

My sons went to Children's Academy (montessori) and I've LOVED it. 
I don't know anyone who has had anything bad to say about it. 

we have our children in Superkids, and have had a great experience there. 
It's located on Morris Avenue, in back of Shop Rite.

We were very pleased with St Stephen's n Millburn- very warm and
nurturing.