Input on Dallas preschools? (Center, Meadow: preschool, living, vs.)

[autyger]

Have a 3 year old and am struggling with the preschool selection process. Does anyone have any input or advice regarding the following preschools?

Meadowbrook
Lamplighter
da Vinci
Children's Center

Thanks in advance....

[FarNorthDallas]

Lamplighter and Da Vinci are both very good. You might have missed the application process though. Lamplighter goes through 4th grade. I tried to get my son in Da Vinci about 12 years ago. No luck. They were only take 6 new 3 year olds.

I don't know the other two.

[jtrichel]

Ditto with Da Vinci. Applied our 2 yr old for their early program and nada.

Our now 5 yr old has been at Lamplighter for 2 yrs, and will enter Kindergarten there next year. We have been very pleased with the program, but its not for everyone. I would say it is a cross between Montessori and more traditional programs. Very experential, very hands-on. Our son really thrives there as he is very curious, imaginative, expressive, lots of energy, etc. He wouldnt do as well sitting behind a desk. He has friends that are the opposite - quiet, learn by hearing/watching vs. doing, well behaved, etc. No right or wrong here, just differences.

When we did our research on the private preschools, we liked Lamplighter, Da Vinci, and ESD the best. Our opinion was that ESD was great for the lower school, not so sure about the upper. Opposite for Greenhill, where we werent so impressed with the lower, but very impressed with the upper. The bottom line with all of these is you just need to go see them yourself. Another lesson we learned was that no amount of Internet research or word of mouth was an adequate substitution for going on the tours, looking in on the classes, meeting the teachers/students, etc. Good luck!

[autyger]

Thanks for the input. Da Vinci is adding two additional 3-year old classes this fall at the new campus. But, due to early deadlines of other schools (Lamplighter for example is March 26th), we'll likely have to make a decision before hearing from da Vinci.

Really like Meadowbrook. Small school and seems to have a great reputation among the private school community. Just can't seem to find much information on-line about it. No website and very few reviews.

[FarNorthDallas]

Where is Meadowbrook located? Also, where is da Vinci moving to?

[jtrichel]

Not sure the Meadowbrook location, but Da Vinci is moving to a beautiful new facility. I will try to find the exact address. Still think it is very tough to get into, even with the new size, classes, etc.

[debtex]

We love the Children's Center. It's a fantastic program and the community is wonderful.

[autyger]

Meadowbrook is located at NW Highway and the Tollway. Da Vinci is moving to a new campus at Midway and Royal.

[FarNorthDallas]

Thanks for that info. I'm glad to hear Da Vinci is moving and it sounds like they are expanding. Did you consider ESD?

[pepper131]

Not sure where you'll be living, but since you are considering Children's Center, also consider the Learning Tree. The Science School is good too - located in the Museum of Nature and Science.