Good day care in Greenville (Wilmington: private schools, closing, moving to)

[hanggz]

Siegel JCC's appointment is next Wed. No available spot yet until June 1st. Will provide the review once we see it. My husband went to Goddard School in Wilmington Riverfront financial district. He thinks it on par with our NY daycare in terms of quality. Teacher to infant ratio is below 1:4, facility is new, the lead teachers have BS degrees. At our current daycare, the lead teachers have MS in early childhood education and all floaters have BS degrees. Goddard School so far is the most comparable that we have seen. The other two, Xavier and Children of America, are below the standards. We could never seen our son attending there.

[themis27]

You'd be better off getting recommendations from new friends in Delaware, if you manage to make any.

It seems like nothing in Wilmington is good enough for you and your family. I think you'll probably be quite unhappy here.

[Kristin730]

Originally Posted by hanggz

Siegel JCC's appointment is next Wed. No available spot yet until June 1st. Will provide the review once we see it. My husband went to Goddard School in Wilmington Riverfront financial district. He thinks it on par with our NY daycare in terms of quality. Teacher to infant ratio is below 1:4, facility is new, the lead teachers have BS degrees. At our current daycare, the lead teachers have MS in early childhood education and all floaters have BS degrees. Goddard School so far is the most comparable that we have seen. The other two, Xavier and Children of America, are below the standards. We could never seen our son attending there.

I love how a snotty post about nothing being good enough for your child educationally here in Delaware ends with a grammatical error -- one that my kindergartner, educated in Delaware public schools, would notice.

[hanggz]

I apologize the typos. I typed too fast on my iPad. We are pretty happy wherever we go, because we are very humble but very particular.

[doctorjef]

Originally Posted by hanggz

Hi doctorjef, if you were asked to rate those three schools, Tower, Tatnall and Friends, what would be the rank orders? and why?

I only know what people tell me, plus my own views of education. I would want my kid to go to Wilmington Friends, a fine old school that dates back to the 18th Century, and integrates Quaker social values into the educational approach. Tower Hill is considered the most light weight and socialite snooty of the three. Tatnall has really good facilities and programs. Tower Hill has a pretty face masking a recent sexual abuse scandal involving the headmaster.

[hanggz]

Thank you doctorjeff for providing this invaluable information. We will visit all three and let you know we think.

[hanggz]

My husband visited Siegel JCC Daycare. Now we are debating between Seigel JCC and Goddard. The tuition is the same. Here is the comparison:

1. Food cost: Seigel JCC covers food (vegetarian diet), Goddard charges $40 extra for breakfast, lunch and snacks.
2. Facility: Seigel JCC has a nice outdoor playground as well as swimming pool. The infant/toddler rooms are big. Goddard has a small outdoor playground with no natural grass, but it has an indoor play area.
3. Safety: Seigel JCC has a front desk receptionist. No additional security within the high traffic facility. Goddard has security system. Seigel JCC is located in a safe neighborhood in Greenville. Goddard is located in Riverfront near downtown Wilmington.
4. Parent Update: Seigel JCC provides a weekly update. Goddard provides a daily report, real time, online.
5. Teacher Profile: Seigel JCC has little turn over rate and all teachers are more experienced and happy there. Goddard has young and energetic lead teacher population. All of them have at least a four year degree.
6. Others: Seigel JCC is a Jewish daycare. Goddard does not have religious affiliation. Seigel JCC kids say Hebrew prayer before each meal. Goddard teaches both Spanish and Chinese as second language.

My son is biracial (Caucasian- Asian). We are both Christian, but do not go to church on a regular basis.

Any suggestion on the daycare selection is welcome.

[Delborn]

What I like most about the Jcc is being part of a community center. There are always people around to make sure things were safe and sound. Also the indoor and outdoor pools are amazing and they offer so many classes. The Jcc is not in Greenville but is not far from there. It is in talleyville.
The Jcc will be closed for some Jewish holidays but you can check on the dates. It is very welcoming to non-Jews but it is a faith based program.
As far as security goes, all entrances are tied to electronic cards and doors are equipped with cameras and receptionists.
I think you supply your own lunch but snacks are provided.
I am not familiar with the Goddard school.
Good luck.

[Fourchuncookie]

Trust me on this one, as been there done that. Breakdown: lots of very good options in the hood. I actually sent my kid to the JCC (Very good), and started her off on the other side of the road at Beth Torah pre-k. The area is predomin Jewish and almost every Temple has a complex which has day care -- preK 2 Elementary. You have Beth Torah, Temple Sinai and about 2 others that do the day care thing. JCC - doesn't matter what faith, very good - unquestionable. Call me she said, if u need details. Day care, camps, aftercare, special field trips, cool stuff too. Next for Orthodox, Hillel Academy, private right next to JCC. Hillel purchased property across the street and rapid construction for expansion galore. There is extremely tight security....no joking here......in this neck of the woods. Rightfully so in this day in age. Safety is not a concern, unless the KKK are in for a convention, but take no chances. Also, hate to elaborate on this, this area is rides under an a/k/a FYI and is again, a/k/a Little Tel Aviv. Closing issues on safety concerns, no budget ceilings on dollars here. Whatever it takes, dollars are spent well on JCC security. Cards, cams, monitored inside JCC, single file DUI checkpointed cone enforcement through human guard strictly enforced. Worldwide events also move into colored levels of tighten the noose, "in your face" local pd presence.

Rec facilities have their own special membership club. Remember, though, no discrimination allowed and everybody is SPECIAL!! I am not Jewish and I sent my little one there for years. Tennis and all types of cool things to do on and off campus, including yeah - Olympic type gymnasium and all that.

[Fourchuncookie]

Chatty cathy and sorry for being detail oriented. One more thing about belief teaching @ the "J." Not as prevalant as one thinks. Myths and more myths and is not really a faith based program. Bring your checkbook and extra dollars though. My thoughts - when it concerns your kids, spare no expense and top rated five starrs for "J" and programs there do not discriminate against any as all are SPECIAL.