From foreigner just moved in: How one approaches pre-school enrollment in the middle of school year (Atlanta: 2009)

[darekk]

Hi all,

I just moved in into US and plan to live here for a year (short-term relocation from my home office back in Europe). I wanted to use this opportunity to let my kids develop English speaking skills and simply immerse a bit in American culture.

I thought the best way to do that, would be to enroll them for some pre-school program (couple hours a day). I thought it would give them good opportunity to get educated in terms of communication in new language and socialize with new friends. It would also give my wife some time to go out and do her stuff.

I am not sure however if and how I could do that. I rent a house in an area West of Murphey Candler park, south of Perimeter mall and 285. I planned to just drive around and see if I can spot some schools here. But maybe you have some suggestions? My kids are 2.5 and 4.5 years old. They don't speak English yet - but I'm sure they'll learn it quickly. I know that in US religious affiliation is an important issue, so I might add that I am Catholic but open to all Christian and non-religious schools.

Any tips?

[lastminutemom]

You are just going to have to start calling around... not much else you can do... to see who has space and can accommodate your children. It may be difficult to find a school near you that has spaces open for both kids, but in this economy you might get lucky.


Here is a list of most of the preschools in Dunwoody area which I got from an ad about a preschool information session next week.


the ones with the stars may be to far away.


All Saints Catholic Church
Chamblee Methodist
The Day School at Sandy Springs*
Dunwoody Baptist
Dunwoody Methodist
Kingswood Methodist
Montessori School of Dunwoody
Mt. Vernon Presbyterian*
North Atlanta Church of Christ*
North Springs Methodist*
New Hope*
St. Luke's Presbyterian
St. Martin's Episcopal
Sandy Springs Methodist*
Weinstein School at JCC
Winters Chapel United Methodist*


There is this information session about preschools in the area next week...

16 representatives from local preschools and surrounding areas
will be available to talk to parents about their preschool programs.

Tuesday, January 13, 2009
10:00 to 12 noon
St. Luke’s Presbyterian Church
1978 Mt. Vernon Road in Dunwoody

Free Childcare will be provided.

Directions: From the intersection of Chamblee-Dunwoody and Mt. Vernon, head east on Mt. Vernon. St. Luke's will be about 1/2 mile on your left. The Preschool Open House will be held in the church's Great Hall.

[darekk]

Originally Posted by lastminutemom

All Saints Catholic Church
Chamblee Methodist
The Day School at Sandy Springs*
Dunwoody Baptist
Dunwoody Methodist
Kingswood Methodist
Montessori School of Dunwoody
Mt. Vernon Presbyterian*
North Atlanta Church of Christ*
North Springs Methodist*
New Hope*
St. Luke's Presbyterian
St. Martin's Episcopal
Sandy Springs Methodist*
Weinstein School at JCC
Winters Chapel United Methodist*

thanks - would any of these be recommended by anyone?

[LovinDecatur]

Originally Posted by darekk

thanks - would any of these be recommended by anyone?

St Martin's is quite good (my daughter went there), and it's close to you (Ashford-Dunwoody at Windsor Pkwy).

[BobKovacs]

You may have a bit of a challenge if the kids don't speak any English- it's alot to ask of a teacher to just drop a kid into class without any comprehension of the language that's being spoken. Some folks fee such "immersion" is the best way to learn the language, and I might agree for kids who are a bit older, but I'm not so sure about kids at 2 and 4.

[DeaconJ]

Originally Posted by BobKovacs

You may have a bit of a challenge if the kids don't speak any English- it's alot to ask of a teacher to just drop a kid into class without any comprehension of the language that's being spoken. Some folks fee such "immersion" is the best way to learn the language, and I might agree for kids who are a bit older, but I'm not so sure about kids at 2 and 4.

It's really exactly the opposite...the younger a child is, the easier and more quickly he/she will pick up a new language. As they get older and develop language skills in their native language, it becomes more natural and therefore increasingly difficult to learn a different language.

Teachers have to deal with non-English speaking students all the time...I've had several in my classes over the past 10 years. A strategy like seating the child beside another child who speaks the same language but is proficient in English will help, and the child will pick up words and phrases very quickly by hearing other students and the teacher. The main thing teachers should do with a non-English speaker is to reassure the student and let him/her know not to be afraid. The parents, if they speak English, can let the child know as well.

[lastminutemom]

I have heard good things about almost every preschool on the list. In your part of town, preschool access is as much as about available space as it is about quality. Does that make sense? It is fairly difficult to secure preschool space in the Chamblee-Dunwoody area. You are just going to have to call around to see who even has space for this year. It won't be simple.

All Saints' program is relatively new and so you might get lucky there. It is just down the road in Dunwoody. Weinstein School at the JCC is a fairly large program and so they might have spaces as well.

Otherwise, I would start with Chamblee Methodist and St. Martins for convenience. Then I would check with all the un-starred schools on the list. This way you are sticking closer to home.

Again, I think you will be fortunate to find spaces for both kids in the same program. Most of the programs are fairly small (ie one, maybe two, classes of the same age groups.)

Let me know how it goes.

[kaday]

Originally Posted by DeaconJ

It's really exactly the opposite...the younger a child is, the easier and more quickly he/she will pick up a new language. As they get older and develop language skills in their native language, it becomes more natural and therefore increasingly difficult to learn a different language.

Teachers have to deal with non-English speaking students all the time...I've had several in my classes over the past 10 years. A strategy like seating the child beside another child who speaks the same language but is proficient in English will help, and the child will pick up words and phrases very quickly by hearing other students and the teacher. The main thing teachers should do with a non-English speaker is to reassure the student and let him/her know not to be afraid. The parents, if they speak English, can let the child know as well.

friends of our were living in Poland for a year or two, put their three year old in the local pre school and she was speaking the language in a matter of weeks. The younger, the better.

[darekk]

thank's guys!

i'll be on the phone to those schools today

wish me luck

[darekk]

okay
so we were lucky to find a place for both kids in the same facility

it will be sandy springs united methodist church preschool

any good or negative comments?

thanks again, guys