I need a good Pre-k school in Pg county(Upper Marlboro) (Towson: home, preschool)

[lscalder]

I live in Pg county and my son will turn 2 in January and I need to find an excellent Pre-K in Pg county. I am a new mom and I thought it was free, I guess i was wrong. I did find one in Upper marlboro that my neighbors who are in the education field recommended but I am looking for other options. I will go as high as $300 a week.

Question: Does my son need to be pottey train before he starts Pre-K? I forgot to ask the school this question.

How can I prepare myself for the change? I work from home so my son is with me 24/7 since birth and I am going crazy right now thinking about him leaving home with out me.

[jessy0780]

I would do a couple of drop ins on the school your neighbors recommended to you, but you should NOT be able to just walk in and go through the classrooms. Any good preschool will have security- usually a code that has to be entered for the door. Some schools will let you do a trial day for free, and you can drop your son off for a couple of hours and check on him when you want. I am certified to be a Early Childhood teacher, but I never worked at a center- I was a nanny for over 3 years after my son was born. He started preschool when he was 4, and he loved it. I think it really helped prepare him for kindergarten, which he just started. If you're worried about being away from your son, maybe start him off in a program that is just a few hours a day, to get you both used to it. One tip- when you drop him off, hug and kiss him goodbye and tell him you'll be back to get him soon- and then leave. Even if he cries or tries to cling to you, just go- he'll stop crying much sooner if you're gone, than if you stay and he thinks he can get you to stay by crying. So many mothers at Alex's old school used to tell me that they had a hard time leaving, because they're child would throw fits at the door, every morning- and they're kids were 4 and 5 years old.
Potty training- he shouldn't have to be potty trained at 2, most places would not expect that. Boys usually take longer to potty train, and most of the time just aren't ready for it at that age. Don't stress about it- it'll be a lot easier if he's ready- I learned that the hard way! My son had no interest at all in potty training for a long time- and I kept trying. It was very frustrating for both of us. I finally gave us for a few months, and tried again right before he turned 3. At that point he was ready, and he was fully potty trained in 2 weeks. But any preschool that pushes him to be potty trained that early is focused on the wrong things.
Maybe before he starts preschool, you can sign him up for some classes to try to prepare him for a class like atmosphere- libraries usually have some activities for toddlers that are free and don't last long- you'd be there, but he'd also be around other kids and have another adult in charge.
Good luck- it's a scary time, but it's also really exciting when you see the projects your child does in school and things he'll learn.

[lscalder]

Thank you so much. The Pre-K my neighbor recommend is only full time. I need a Pre-K schools that offers part-time. I am also looking in Bowie,Upper Marlboro and Waldorf. I do like the fact that they start at age 2 but from 7-6pm or 9-4 pm 5 days a week. My son attend Gymnastic and music class once a week so he would have to go to school part time for now not full time for a 2yr old thats too much. I am starting to think age 2 is too young for full time school and on top of it all he will have home work at least 4 times a week. My son doesnot stand still long enough to even color so how are we going to get him to do his home work at age 2.

[jessy0780]

Lol- my son was the same way- as soon as he started walking, he was running! Check into area churches, a lot of time they have preschools that offer morning hours or afternoon hours.

[Aquinasmd]

Originally Posted by lscalder

Thank you so much. The Pre-K my neighbor recommend is only full time. I need a Pre-K schools that offers part-time. I am also looking in Bowie,Upper Marlboro and Waldorf. I do like the fact that they start at age 2 but from 7-6pm or 9-4 pm 5 days a week. My son attend Gymnastic and music class once a week so he would have to go to school part time for now not full time for a 2yr old thats too much. I am starting to think age 2 is too young for full time school and on top of it all he will have home work at least 4 times a week. My son doesnot stand still long enough to even color so how are we going to get him to do his home work at age 2.

What Pre-K school do you recommend in the Upper Marlboro area? I am moving to Beechtree in February and I hope I can get my daughter a good school around the area.

[cool rob]

Jericho Christian School (Landover) has a pretty good head start program, not too expensive, do your homework though, a lot of these centers do half background checks, have high employee turnover and lack accrediatation amongst other things, so I would definetly do some research. BTW, IMO 2 is not too young to have your son in school, get him prepared early for that full day, I have my daughter @ Glenarden Baptist Church/School and they have a great program, however it is a tad bit expensive and it comes with a long waiting list. At 2 she was learning prayers, putting together puzzles, colors, ABC's all of that good stuff. Good Luck!

[lscalder]

I found one in Temple Hills. It is a Christian base school. It is great.
If you need the info let me know.

[North Beach Person]

If he's 2 look at a sitter and not a pre-school. Lot's of reasons, you hit on the main one-too young for school.
My 4 kids all had the same older sitter (she and husband became another set of grandparents, unfortunately have passed away). No.1- Summa *** Laude graduate SRU in PA; No.2 in Engineering school at UMCP; No. 3 freshman at Towson (93% average in high school with several AP classes); No. 4 in middle school.

[RaisedWell]

Originally Posted by North Beach Person

If he's 2 look at a sitter and not a pre-school. Lot's of reasons, you hit on the main one-too young for school.
My 4 kids all had the same older sitter (she and husband became another set of grandparents, unfortunately have passed away). No.1- Summa *** Laude graduate SRU in PA; No.2 in Engineering school at UMCP; No. 3 freshman at Towson (93% average in high school with several AP classes); No. 4 in middle school.

I was going to say the same thing.

[Aquinasmd]

Originally Posted by lscalder

I found one in Temple Hills. It is a Christian base school. It is great.
If you need the info let me know.

What school in Temple hills? Thanks