Pre-Kindergarden (4 year olds) (Charleston: 2009, daycares, houses)

[csurch]

hey y'all...

i'm just wondering what the schools in south carolina offer for 4 year olds? our kids will be starting school in mt. pleasant next fall (2009) and here in dallas our little girl (she'll be 4 in august) would go into a dual-language pre-kinder class at our neighborhood public school but it looks like kids don't start until they are actually in kindergarten there in SC.

are there other "classes" or "schools" available for 4 year olds. not just babysitting or daycare but somewhere where there is at least some learning going on? i'm not looking for 5 full days a week but enough so she can interact with adults and children without mom around.

thanks.

[OleTomCat]

Some of the public schools have PreK classes but the list to get in is ususally long. Some of the private schools also offer a simular program. There are some really good daycares that do offer real classroom grade instruction.

[beachme]

Laurel Hill elementary (pre k-2)has a pre K program but your child would need to be tested to attend.

[csurch]

thanks for the responses.

i've read a bit about the laurel hill program but don't really understand the program and what they are testing for -- is it for children that they deem "slightly delayed" or with some sort of "special need" (sorry if i have offended anyone with my wording)?

[beachme]

http://www.ccsdschools.com/Families/...nfoParents.pdf

I found this link today, hope it helps.

[GoBuckeyes]

Charleston County offers a child development pre-k program. My daughter missed the Kindergarden cut-off by 8 days so I looked into it.
Students who will end up going to Laurel Hill or Belle Hall attend the Belle Hall pre-k program. Your child would have to be tested for it. They only offer 40 slots and the testing involves their language, social, and mobility development. Kids they deem as "at risk" will get priority. But the truth is, most kids that age are at the same level. I had my daughter tested and she got in at the last minute. Others get put on a waiting list and can get in at a later date.
It's 5 days a week, for 3 hours a day. She loves it. The teachers are great. She's actually already reading.

[csurch]

wow...thanks so much for the information. this move is getting a bit overwhelming - 3 kids, trying to keep my house "show ready" here in dallas and trying to find houses (online) worth another trip to charleston to see...arghhhh - i can't wait to just be there!!

thanks again.

[x96murphy]

I'm in the same position right now. Had anyone had any luck with registering their child into a Pre-K program? My daughter will be 4 in May and would like to put her in this fall if possible. Any other suggestions besides Laurel Hill in case we can't get in?

Thanks

[AFPilot]

James B Edwards has a full-day pre-K program. We live in Belle Hall and they were full, but we applied for an inter-district transfer through the school board. They meet once a week and had an answer the next day. If there is room in the program, they should be accommodating.

[beachme]

I believe many of the area schools have preK. Also there are some great learning centers in the area. But it is pricey.