Preschools and other help in Johns Creek (Atlanta, North Atlanta: credit, day care)

[ESBMommy]

Hi! I am moving to Johns Creek over the summer and need a preschool for my 2.5 yr old. She will be 3 in November. I want a school that follows the NAEYC guidelines. Would prefer non-denominational first, then a school in Temple / Synagogue. Want her to go 3x p/ week for a few hrs. Do not want a daycare setting though.

My older children are 6 and 5. They will be attending a public school in Fulton County.

I am also looking for a gymnastics and ballet studio for my older daughter. I have read that the sports programs through the Y or town is good for soccer / tball. Recommendations for pediatrician, dentist, Family Dr, Vet, etc. I am also looking for a Moms club.

Thank you

[billl]

Originally Posted by ESBMommy

Hi! I am moving to Johns Creek over the summer and need a preschool for my 2.5 yr old. She will be 3 in November. I want a school that follows the NAEYC guidelines. Would prefer non-denominational first, then a school in Temple / Synagogue. Want her to go 3x p/ week for a few hrs. Do not want a daycare setting though.

We sent our daughter to Goddard School on Johns Creek Parkway. They are NAEYC accredited, private, and are not affiliated with any religious organization. They have part time programs for younger children. She started in the preschool program and only went 3 times a week in the mornings. She easily moved up in to the pre-K program, 5 times a week, but still had the option of going only in the morning. We were very happy with the school and can recommend it highly.

I am also looking for a gymnastics and ballet studio for my older daughter. I have read that the sports programs through the Y or town is good for soccer / tball. Recommendations for pediatrician, dentist, Family Dr, Vet, etc.

For serious gymnastics there is none better than Ultimate Gymnastics on Peachtree Industrial. It's a bit far to drive but their program is excellent. For ballet my oldest went to North Atlanta Dance Academy near the corner of State Bridge and Jones Bridge.

For a vet (dogs and cats...not exotic animals) I can very highly recommend Jones Bridge Animal Hospital, 11450 Jones Bridge Road. We used them for many years and they are great folks that care deeply about the animals in their care.

For pediatric dentist care we went to Imagix on Jones Bridge (Dr. Shehata). We have been satisfied, but with one note. They discourage the parent going back with the child during treatment. I was reluctant to agree to this, but I tolerate it now because everything else is done very well.

[Tresninas]

Can you tell us where in Johns Creek you'll be living? (Or at least what elementary school your older two will be attending?) I know of several great preschools, but they may be too far for you.

You'll find that most of the part-time preschool programs here do not bother with the NAEYC accreditation process. But some of the daycares do. I'd go to the NAEYC website, type in your zip, and see what turns up.

Unless you're doing Montessori school, or a part-time program at a daycare, almost all other part-time preschool programs are affiliated with a church.

[ESBMommy]

My older kids will be at Findley Oaks Elem School

[Tresninas]

Medlock Bridge Montessori is a great school that takes kids as young as 2.5 years who are potty-trained. However, you have to send them a minimum of 5 mornings a week, and it's very expensive. I've had several friends with kids there who think the school is out of this world. (They highly recommend Ms. Mindy as a teacher.) Many of them who have kids who go on to Findley Oaks and they say their kids were way ahead of the other Kindergartners.

Creative Montessori is another wonderful option. They are just north of McGinnis Ferry, so they technically have a Suwanee address, but they are very close to you. They have a pre-primary class that is 2-3 year olds. You don't have to be potty-trained for this class. What's nice here, is that they have a 3 morning a week option until your kid gets moved to the primary class (at age 3-3.5 years, where they have to attend 5 mornings a week). Another bonus: they have Georgia Pre-K, which means the year before your daughter's K year is free. (Medlock Bridge Montessori does not have Georgia pre-K). Despite the fact that they have a Forsyth County address, they operate on a Fulton County school calendar, which is great for you since you have two other kids on a Fulton County schedule.

Knowledge Beginnings is on Medlock Bridge. It's a daycare that offers a part-time preschool. It's NAEYC accredited. There are lots of daycare centers along McGinnis Ferry -- as the above poster mentioned Goddard. There's also Primrose, Kids R Kids, Crabapple, Johns Creek Academy. It's likely that they all use the Forsyth County Schools calendar -- which would be very inconvenient for you for the upcoming school year, since it's very different than the Fulton County school calendar.

The other preschools that are not full time daycares are all Christian, I believe. Johns Creek United Methodist Church, Church of the Hills, Johns Creek Christian School -- all fabulous options, but all based in a Christian perspective.

Hope this helps!

[billl]

Originally Posted by Tresninas

There are lots of daycare centers along McGinnis Ferry -- as the above poster mentioned Goddard. There's also Primrose, Kids R Kids, Crabapple, Johns Creek Academy.

Not sure what you mean by "daycare". Goddard provides daycare services for children as young as infants, but starting with their preschool program they also teach. The Pre-K program requires 5 mornings a week and is a prep for kindergarten. Afternoons were optional, but we would be gently scolded if we didn't have our child there by 9 am. Perhaps "school plus daycare" is a good way to describe them.

[Tresninas]

By daycares, I mean places with a full-time, before/aftercare component. Many preschools do not have full-time options, and are only a few hours a day, a few days a week.

[janet45]

FYI - NAEYC does not allow you to teach a curriculum so you are ruling out a lot of great preschools. I am currently enrolling my child in a preschool with before and after hours (so it has day care hours but is anything but daycare - has languages (chinese, spanish and german). I strongly recommend that you leave the NAEYC thing behind. It is great for low ratios but research is showing that children learn a great deal by the time they are 5 years old and putting them in NAEYC isn't a gold standard for anything but low ratios. Unfortunately there are few accrediting bodies for academic preschools or daycares. I found one. PM me if you want the name.

[janet45]

Oh, and I'd avoid chains and franchises if at all possible. Believe me, I feel like I could write a book about this having spent the last few months researching the topic. I have a list and happy to share with anyone.

[cdubb]

Hi,

I will be moving to a home in the Johns creek elementary school district. My son turns 5 this month. I'm hoping to get him into one of the Georgia pre k programs for the rest of the year. Reccomendations would be greatly appreciated.