Preschools in the Pasadena area (Santa Monica, South Pasadena: home, job transfer, preschool)

[egold70]

My wife and I currently live in West LA (between Santa Monica Blvd and Olympic Blvd, just west of Barrington), and have 2 children, one of which will be preschool aged by next fall. Given the craziness surrounding preschools in LA (getting on waitlists years in advance, needing to "know someone" at the school to get preference, etc), we are contemplating moving to either the Valley or the Pasadena area because we feel things are a little less hectic there, and we can afford a nicer home and have a little more "family friendly" amenities.

My question is, regarding Pasadena, does anyone here have any good recs on a preschool in the area? Is the process as crazy as it is on the west side with long waitlists, etc? I am hoping to hear it's a little more tame. Any insight or specific school recommendations would be greatly appreciated. Pasadena, South Pas, La Canada, San Marino areas.

[uptown_urbanist]

Expect waiting lists, but with luck you'll be able to find something; we left before our son hit preschool age, but I do remember the panic I felt when a woman pushing a stroller on a street in South Pasadena stopped me to ask if I'd put my name down on a list yet. That said, there's a lot of preschools around., and my general sense is that it's more relaxed than it is in West LA. (might be wrong, though) My mother (who used to work as an educator herself) stopped and talked to the people at Calvary Presbyterian Preschool in South Pasadena, and really liked the staff there. There seems to be a TON of options, with a wide range of philosophies; you'll find the more "academic" programs as well as play-based, Montessori, etc. I think if you're flexible and don't have your heart set on any one specific preschool you should be able to find something in the area that you both like and that has an opening. (and for what it's worth, we LOVED that area the area and thought it ideal for families; we'd live there still if it wasn't for a job transfer.)

[LaoTzuMindFu]

I just cannot believe the prices of schools. I have a soon-to-be 3 year old and just about everywhere I found costs $900 - $1000 per month. Then add on extra money for hot lunches, special classes, etc. Then, they only give 10% discount for each additional kid.

I wonder how people who have 2-3 kids or more get by. Or especially, how do single parents do it.