VPK and Headstart advise for Melbourne (daycare, preschool, inspection)

[floridadreamer]

I have a 4 and 3 year old starting VPK and Headstart or Preschool. I'm wondering if anyone knows of a daycare center that will transport from Headstart? Also, looking for recommendations in the Lake Washington areas for a top level VPK. I've had a couple of smaller one recommended, Care for Kids and also Apollo preschool, but neither of them transport from heastart.

Any advise would be appreciate, really need to get them registered soon. Thanks.

[muggums]

Check out elcbrevard.org, they can refer you to the kind of daycare you prefer according to your area, etc.

Please tour any facility very thoroughly before you commit to one. Drop in at random times, ask to see all the teacher's qualifications, and find out about their VPK curriculum.

Florida gives providers BIG bucks to provide VPK. They collect the money with no issue, and don't always provide quality instruction. Their biggest goal is to get the cash. Although each licensed preschool teacher is required to have a certain education, they can work for 90 days without it, and then unless they are inspected, they often don't go ahead and take the classes. This enables poorly skilled people to interact with your child. I know this from working at such a place when I first moved to the area. A lot of the "teachers" had no patience, and spent a large part of the day SCREAMING at the kids. It was horrifying. Somehow the parents never walked in while it was happening. The "cook" gave them animal crackers every day for a snack.

I taught in the 2's classroom. Shortly after I gave my two week notice, we had an inspection in the infant room. My director and a part time teacher were in there that day, and failed the inspection. A makeup training was required, so guess who they sent? Not the director or teacher who failed, but me, who they knew was leaving soon. This really freaked me out. How does a DIRECTOR fail an inspection? And then avoid the necessary training? I knew almost immediately that I could not leave my own child at that place without me being there. Places like this are all over Brevard County, so please be careful!