Preschool in Bham (Birmingham, Homewood, Vincent: credit, daycares, live)

[bham2b]

I have done a search for preschool in the Birmingham forum and need additional information. I have a 3 year old and am looking for recomendations on a preschool that has a fulltime daycare or is associated with one.

I will work (long hours) in downtown Birmingham. My wife will attend UAB fulltime. We do not know where we will live, so we are targeting preschools near UAB. UAB's child development center is for UAB employees only. Preschools tend to fill quickly and I am afraid we have already missed the deadline to get into some.

[cpg35223]

We had a great experience with South Highlands Presbyterian, about a mile from UAB. When our kids were there, they were open from 7-6.

South Highland Presbyterian Church :: Child Development Center

[Miv]

The Greek orthodox church has a great program! It is right between downtown & UAB.

[bluebeard]

For many of the better ones near UAB you will need to get on waiting lists ASAP. The South Highland is included in that one. for a short time we used the Highlands Methodist at 5 points that wasn't bad, but that would need a waiting list. Montessori is well-liked and in Homewood and you might be able to get more immediately placed. There is also a Waldorf a bit more east in Bham, I don't know much about it. Some people liked the St Vincents daycare. The JCC seems good might also more immediately accommodation you, but its more in the mountain brook area. Highlands day school has a preschool thats even a bit farther out (there are a lot of places named Highlands, so it can get confusing) but I really liked the look of it when I went. Its just that I would be driving out, then back to go there. I would call/visit multiple places from that list to see which ones have an opening soon enough for you.

[bham2b]

Thanks for the advice. I passed the info along to my wife.

[bham2b]

Well we have checked out several of the suggested daycares. Most are filled but we have found a few openings. We are experiencing some sticker shock on the cost. We currently pay $90 a week for an NAEYC accredited daycare. The daycares we have looked at in Birmnigham are twice that (roughly 800 - 900) a month or around $180 a week.

Anyway, any suggestions of good daycares that are less expensive? We have checked out a lot of the churches, however, they are either 1/2 day or cost just as much for full day. The one or two that have been a good bit less expensive seem to have very little focus on learning--at least as far as the three Rs is concerned. I appreciate any help.

[cpg35223]

I might try the Levite Jewish Community Center on Montclair. They evidently have a good program and, from what I understand, is pretty affordable.

[bham2b]

Thanks. The JCC is also in the 800 to 900 range. I think it gets down to 740 if you join the JCC for ~ $96 a month. That would be a pretty good deal, but my wife and I both will have access to a gym and and pool already.

[cpg35223]

Admittedly, I haven't had need for daycare in about a decade. The happiest day of my life was when my last child entered Kindergarten. It was as if I had gotten a raise.