pre-K/K programs in Springfield, Woodbridge, Manassas areas? (Linton Hall, St. Paul: mortgage, daycare)

[FatherOf2]

What made me think about it again, too, was that we'd begun to think we were priced out of daycare and we either had to take on a smaller mortgage or rent, or somehow cut expenses, or just wait until the older one is 5 and goes to school, and then pay for the younger one to start day care.

Then a friend of mine who lives in Howard County, Md. unfortunately said his children go to a sort of co-op day care, where the parents come in daily and help set up, and that saves the school the expense of hiring another teacher/assistant, and he pays $115/month.

Do you think that's a result of where he lives, or is that something that's available locally and I was just looking at the wrong type of places? I

'd be willing to go much higher than $115/month per kid, so long as it's not $800/month per kid.

FWIW, we go to church locally but there is no day care program.

[HereinVA]

Originally Posted by FatherOf2

What made me think about it again, too, was that we'd begun to think we were priced out of daycare and we either had to take on a smaller mortgage or rent, or somehow cut expenses, or just wait until the older one is 5 and goes to school, and then pay for the younger one to start day care.

Then a friend of mine who lives in Howard County, Md. unfortunately said his children go to a sort of co-op day care, where the parents come in daily and help set up, and that saves the school the expense of hiring another teacher/assistant, and he pays $115/month.

Do you think that's a result of where he lives, or is that something that's available locally and I was just looking at the wrong type of places? I

'd be willing to go much higher than $115/month per kid, so long as it's not $800/month per kid.

FWIW, we go to church locally but there is no day care program.

So, are you looking for a pre-school, or a daycare? I think that there is a big difference. There are some daycares that call themselves pre-schools...

What area are you in? I was at a party a few months ago and met a woman who told me her child goes to Alpha-bet in Manassas, I think someone else mentioned Alpha-bet earlier in this thread. She told me it was a co-op and she goes in once a week to help in the classroom.
AlphaBet Cooperative Preschool Manassas, VA http://www.alphabetschool.org
This lady seemed thrilled with it.

[FatherOf2]

HereInVA,
Just checked out that site, it was exactly what I am looking for. The co-op part sounds like a lot of work for the parents (more than just going in once a week to set-up), but it really sounds worth it.

For the record, I wasn't too concerned about Day Care vs. Pre-School, as we encourage the kids quite a bit at home (as evidenced by the older one's ability to do a lot of the things on the 3-year-old curriculum from the school), we just felt like some days either parent, from working and then watching the kids, was too tired from the double duty to really engage the kids or match their enthusiasm.

On one hand, if they had to, I'm sure they wouldn't be the first kids to stay home until they were 5 ... school can start then (or later) and children still have a chance to turn out fine. I'm sure plenty of parents have done it.

On the other hand, when they are really craving that attention and all you feel like doing is catching up on sleep, that's a sign that perhaps their horizons could be expanded by having the attention of a teacher a couple days a week, as well as having more refreshed, in-tune parents at home.

To answer your other question, we are in Lake Ridge almost to Occoquan, but the wife works in Old Town Manassas, so this location is actually pretty convenient (unless I end up doing all the driving

In any case, thanks for pointing me in this direction. Maybe it'll work out.

[Fairfax Mom]

These days a kid needs to be in pre-school or they will be far behind. My son - who is in pre-school - is practically reading already. Much different from when I was a kid.
Also - there is a BIG difference between day cares and pre schools.
Watch out for Montessori - their idea of "free" learning makes it hard for kids to adjust their behaviour to regular kindergarten - this I have heard from many teachers.

[HereinVA]

Originally Posted by Fairfax Mom

These days a kid needs to be in pre-school or they will be far behind. My son - who is in pre-school - is practically reading already. Much different from when I was a kid.
Also - there is a BIG difference between day cares and pre schools.
Watch out for Montessori - their idea of "free" learning makes it hard for kids to adjust their behaviour to regular kindergarten - this I have heard from many teachers.

I disagree that Montessori is something to "watch out" for. I went to Montessori as a pre-schooler and for Kindergarten as a child, and I had no trouble adjusting to "regular" first grade. Neither did either of my two brothers.
Also, there is always the possibility that the child and parent will love Montessori so much that they will not want "regular Kindergarten" and will choose a Montessori school for Kindergarten, elementary--I've even heard of Montessori high schools!

[FatherOf2]

I'm definitely not worried about my kids falling behind in school. I don't think I'm all that aggressive about having a distinct learning program for them at home, although we do our fair share. I have looked at at the curriculum/expectations for most preschoolers, and my 3-year-old is in good shape on most of things they list. His vocabulary is beyond what they expect, much further along than my daughter (who is almost 2) is, and he can do the alphabet, count past 10, recognize his name, take a book and tell a story by looking at the pictures (apparently a key step before reading) etc., etc. (I know nobody wants to hear ALL the details)

I didn't go with the co-op in Manassas because it and the others I found in Springfield only have 2-day, half-day programs for 3-year-olds. From what I've researched, it seems like there are greater opportunities to 4-year-olds to go for more days a week and for longer hours. (That basic research also leads me to believe the above poster in that there appears to be a significant difference between day care and preschool.)

The twice-a-week three hours each seemed very affordable, and perhaps would be a valuable step for some who are eager to socialize their children for preschool before they start logging longer hours, but for all the driving it would involve for us coming from Occoquan, it seemed like more trouble than it was worth.

I am still looking and listening to suggestions though, and will gladly revisit the co-op idea when my son is old enough (4) to go more days a week. In theory, right now, I'd like to put the son and daughter in the same location and be able to pick them up and drop them off in one trip. I know finding the "right" school should be the focus, but I can't ignore the practical details either.

Either way I appreciate the feedback.

[Jenny Delaney]

I know about two excellent programs: The Compass School and St. Paul's School in Haymarket. St. Paul's may be out of your way, but it has a phenomenal reading program for young children. The Compass School may be closer. I would definitely check out Compass and if you take I-66, it is right off the Haymarket exit.

Good Luck!

[ChristineVA]

In Woodbridge: Cardinal Montessori, St. Thomas Aquinas Regional School also has a preschool, and the Cloverdale School which is part of church on the corner of Minnieville and Smoketown. All three of these are well-established preschools with longstanding, great reputations.

[boner42]

Originally Posted by ls2006

We are moving to the area this summer from CA and my husband will be commuting to Quantico each day. Our plan is to live north of there in the Springfield, Woodbridge, or Manassas areas and we are looking for a school with a good pre-K/Kindergarten program for our daughter. I've begun researching private schools and am wondering what else is out there that my internet searches aren't turning up. We will be renting and ideally will rent in the same area as her school, so it would be a bonus to find an area that has a good elementary school as well.

Any recommendations? Thoughts?

Thanks for the help.

Yes--Compass School in Manassas is outstanding, but a little bit of a hike for us. We live in Dominion Valley and hoped to get our son into St. Paul's School. They have a great little preschool but we did not get him in soon enough and were unable to get him into the kindergarten class last year. We know that he did not do as well as he could have if he had first rec'd the academic exposure earlier at the preschool level.

Either schools have impressive reputations. If you live in Manassas, try to get into Compass. But if you live in Gainesville, Bristow or Haymarket, definitely try to gain entrance into St. Paul's School.

[boner42]

Originally Posted by Jenny Delaney

I know about two excellent programs: The Compass School and St. Paul's School in Haymarket. St. Paul's may be out of your way, but it has a phenomenal reading program for young children. The Compass School may be closer. I would definitely check out Compass and if you take I-66, it is right off the Haymarket exit.

Good Luck!

We agree. Those are two outstanding schools. The Compass School is probably the best in Manassas. St. Paul's School and Preschool is the best in the Gainesvillle-Bristow-Haymarket area. If you are serious about getting your child a great foundation, apply early--I would suggest in January. Otherwise you are taking your chances.