Moving to Westwood with two small children (Paramus, Ridgewood: health, house)

[SSchirm]

We have two children - ages 2 and 4 and have finally decided on a house in Westwood that we love. We should be moving in by mid-summer. I have a few questions that i thought some of you may be able to help me with.

Pre-schools - i am on a waiting list at St. John's Academy (the catholic school shared by parishes in a few neighboring towns), and have spoken to Zion Lutheran school. Can anyone recommend a program i could get my 4 year old pre-schooler into in the fall? do you have any opinions/thoughts on St. John's or Zion?

Activities - can someone recommend a ballet program for my 4 year old, and swim classes for both 2 years and 4 years old?

I have heard of a pool club in Washington Township and one in Hillsdale (Stonybrook). Does Westwood have it's own pool? do either of the mentioned pool clubs come recommended?

Do people from Westwood use the Bergen County YWCA in Ridgewood, or is that primary for Ridgewood residents?

How is the Westwood Health And Fitness club?

Is there a newcomers group or mom's group? I couldn't find anything on-line. I will be new to the "stay-at-home-mom" thing, and would like to get involved in a mom's group or something like that.

Thanks in advance for any insider Westwood information!!

[Collegeguy12]

I can only offer a few answers to you...first of all I have to say Westwood is a great town and welcome! You can also try United Methodist Church in Hillsdale as I have heard they have a great preschool program. I don't know anything about swim or ballet classes...but I believe you can get swim classes at the YJCC in Washington Twp. Westwood also has its own pool but it's not as nice as Stonybrook in Hillsdale. I would definitely choose Stonybrook and if not then Westwood...it's not dirty just Stonybrook has been renovated. Westwood Health and Fitness Club is great from what I have heard...I go to Fitness19 in River Vale but I have never heard anything bad about the one in Westwood. I don't know anything about Mom's groups or anything but there are two community papers-Community Life and Pascack Press...Community Life usually comes on Wednesdays and the Press on Mondays and you will always see that kind of stuff advertised in it somewhere. That's it for now...Westwood's a great town and you will be very happy here.

[ira]

Definitely check out YJCC in Washington Township. They offer tons of classes for kids.

[joe moving]

About 15 years ago we used to go all the way to the Washington Township Recreation Club (pool) from Ridgewood and it was a nice place. We were on the swim team and the pool was big (50 meters by 25 meters "T" or is it yards?) and clean.

[Kevin1975]

Westwood has a private swim club called the Westwood Swim Club. Its expensive to join but very nice and they have a family package.

Westwood Health and Fitness Club is pretty nice. There is also a New York Sports Club, but its a rip-off. I too also go to Fitness 19 in River Vale. Cheapest gym around doesn't have many amenties. Most people don't use the steam rooms, showers, pool, etc found at some gyms anyway.

[carriemny]

Hi. I don't usually reply to these things. But I thought I would since I live in Westwood and also have a 2 year old boy and a 4 year old girl. I am a stay at home mom and unfortunately there really isn't any mom meetup group. There are activities within the town to meet other small children and moms. My 4 year old goes to Carousel Early Learning Center on third avenue and it is a fantastic school!! The town runs a ballet class in the fall. There is a swim class at the American Women Fitness gym in the Kmart center off broadway. That gym is pretty reasonable and has a rather large child care center. Not sure how the other gyms are in town. The recreation center has programs as well for the summer like a playground group, tennis, golf, etc. I don't belong to any of the pools yet, but the Stonybrook is the most popular and there is one in Westwood and I heard the Washington Township pool is pretty nice and not too crowded. Email me if you have any questions - carriemny@yahoo.com. I know how hard it is to meet people when moving to a new town.

[Maria524]

I actually have a 3 year year old daughter and a 4 month old son and I am also a stay at home mom.

I just enrolled my daughter in the Robin Horneff's Performing Arts Center. They have 2 locations one in westwood one in Waldwick. I have also been trying to find a local pool and activities for the kiddies.

Please feel free to e-mail me anytime I am new to this whole stay at home mom thing. Maybe we could form our own mommy meet up group?

Maria.Cabrera2@verizon.net

[EEEPNJ]

Hello - welcome to BC. I don't live in Westwood, but I am somewhat familiar with the area. First, let me say my s-i-l had 3 kids in St. John's and was less than impressed (both pre-school and regular school) she found a preschool she loved in Ridgewood, I don't remember the name, but I can certainly get it from her if you like. Carosel in Westwood, as someoen else has mentioned, is a really great program. I had my child in tehre for summer camp and I was very happy with it.

The pool in Hillsdale is SO nice. I would definately go with that one.

I would reccommend picking up a local Parent Paper or Parent Guide to get more information on local places and groups for moms. You can also go to Parentguide News: When It Comes To Parenting, There's Only One. and find some things.

My friend's daughter is in Marianne's School of Dance in Paramus and she's happy with it. I believe there is another in Washington Twp, but I can't tell you about it really.

You can use the Y in Ridgewood, people go there from all over Bergen County. THere is a Y in Wyckoff, which is a little further, but it is REALLY very nice.