Not impressed with FL pre-K (Jacksonville, Jupiter: health insurance, health, bars)

[Minniemom]

I have been to a couple of different pre-schools that are vpk approved and I am not impressed at all! Most are older, dirty and dingy. I wouldn't sit on the floor, let alone let my child. And what is with this not locking the door thing? I was told be several different schools that they aren't allowed to lock the door while school is in session - state law.?? Most of these schools are in store fronts in strip malls. They say it's a fire hazard. What about a door knob that unlocks when turned from the inside. I don't want just anyone to be able to walk into my child's school for any reason. I was told that there has never been any problems. No - there never is a problem - until THERE IS A PROBLEM!

I don't care if the state pays for it - I would rather know that my child is in a safe/clean enviromend and pay for that peace of mind.

[kort677]

Originally Posted by Minniemom

I have been to a couple of different pre-schools that are vpk approved and I am not impressed at all! Most are older, dirty and dingy. I wouldn't sit on the floor, let alone let my child. And what is with this not locking the door thing? I was told be several different schools that they aren't allowed to lock the door while school is in session - state law.?? Most of these schools are in store fronts in strip malls. They say it's a fire hazard. What about a door knob that unlocks when turned from the inside. I don't want just anyone to be able to walk into my child's school for any reason. I was told that there has never been any problems. No - there never is a problem - until THERE IS A PROBLEM!

I don't care if the state pays for it - I would rather know that my child is in a safe/clean enviromend and pay for that peace of mind.

just wait until you get to see the elementary schools

[Sueilp]

Originally Posted by Minniemom

I have been to a couple of different pre-schools that are vpk approved and I am not impressed at all! Most are older, dirty and dingy. I wouldn't sit on the floor, let alone let my child. And what is with this not locking the door thing? I was told be several different schools that they aren't allowed to lock the door while school is in session - state law.?? Most of these schools are in store fronts in strip malls. They say it's a fire hazard. What about a door knob that unlocks when turned from the inside. I don't want just anyone to be able to walk into my child's school for any reason. I was told that there has never been any problems. No - there never is a problem - until THERE IS A PROBLEM!

I don't care if the state pays for it - I would rather know that my child is in a safe/clean enviromend and pay for that peace of mind.

My son's pre-k school is old and worn looking, and sometimes CAN look dirty...however he was (I say was as he finished there on monday for the summer and goes to Elemenatary in August) VERY VERY Happy there.... He was never sick from there except for the odd cold that went round which is common.

I agree with not locking the door as it is a fire hazard and I dont want my child to think he is in prison - he is in school. There is more chance of a fire than someone unwanted walking in. I would want my child to be able to get out of that school if it was on fire.

I do empathise with your concerns though...if you are not happy with where your child goes can you take them elsewhere??

[Prichard]

Send your kids to private pre-K. We've been sending our daughter to a small private nursery and she will be attending pre-K there next year. It's worth the extra money to get your kids off to a good start. I wouldn't depend oun the government to do this for you - sometimes you just need to take control and spend the money to get what you want for your kids.

[BlueWillowPlate]

Originally Posted by Minniemom

I have been to a couple of different pre-schools that are vpk approved and I am not impressed at all! Most are older, dirty and dingy. I wouldn't sit on the floor, let alone let my child. And what is with this not locking the door thing? I was told be several different schools that they aren't allowed to lock the door while school is in session - state law.?? Most of these schools are in store fronts in strip malls. They say it's a fire hazard. What about a door knob that unlocks when turned from the inside. I don't want just anyone to be able to walk into my child's school for any reason. I was told that there has never been any problems.

In Colorado, we had a similar door law for classrooms, for the same reason, whether it was a public or private school.
Preschools, no matter how nice they start out, under go hard usage every day. It takes elbow grease and money to keep them up.
I would keep looking until I found something I liked, and as Prichard says, it might cost more. Above all, I would talk to the prek staff and see what they seem to be like.

[5FLgirls]

It also depends on the pre-k program too. My daughter attended a wonderful pre-k program in Jupiter that was subsidized. And they locked the school door during the day--you needed a code to get into the building. When I got to Jacksonville, there weren't any programs with VPK near where I lived so I paid for it with no problem. Yes, it's great to get something for free but why would you want to send your child to a dirty school that you're not comfortable with?

[skypix]

my wife is a preschool teacher in St Pete. She has a B.S. in early childhood developement and 3 years of experince as a lead teacher in preschool. She makes $9.00 an hour full time and has to pay for over half of her own health insurance. She made more as an office clerk. Its sad but Florida really doenst put a big priority on education. And this is a private school. Public schools are worse i hear.

Dan

[kort677]

Originally Posted by cil

In Colorado, we had a similar door law for classrooms, for the same reason, whether it was a public or private school.
Preschools, no matter how nice they start out, under go hard usage every day. It takes elbow grease and money to keep them up.
I would keep looking until I found something I liked, and as Prichard says, it might cost more. Above all, I would talk to the prek staff and see what they seem to be like.

haven't these schools ever heard of push bars? the door is locked from the outside and a bar that runs the width of the door opens it.
so easy even a cave man could get it open

[belladee]

The private schools are the only option. Check and see if there is a Cambridge in your area. They are great, clean and safe!

[Spree]

You need to go the private route.. A few years ago the voters voted on whether or not to have a state sponsored pre-k program, it was approved by the voters and this is what the state came up with.