Any feedback on Daycare / Pre-K / Montessori in Medical center area ? (Houston: daycares, school)

[Houston456]

We are planning to send our kid (2+) to some sort of pre-K/Daycare/Montessori and would like to get feedback on the Programmes/Places around TMC area.

We need only 2 or 3 days a week and trying to find out whether that is an option.

Specifically, anyone has feedback on 'Childrens Hour Montessori' / St Nicholas school in Medical center area ? Also, I heard there are some programmes operated by Churches.

Appreciate feedback with a note about fees they charge.

[ny2texas]

my husband and i visited st nicholas school last week. we are also looking for good daycares in the medical center area for our 2 yr old. location-wise, the center is great, very close to the medical center. looks very nice from the outside. honestly, the director put me off. she seemed very unprofessional and fake, as well as rigid. refused to give us a tour even though i called ahead and said we would be in town for only a day. apparently they only give tours at 8:30 am, 3 days a week. we were only able to get there at 11 am as we had many things to do that day ( we are relocating in june) and she flatly refused a tour as "the kids are sleeping". so what? i just want to see the layout of the school, it's not like i'm going to make a lot of noise and wake up the kids! anyway, another issue with this school is that they make you sign a contract for a year which is binding unless you move out of state. to me that's ridiculous for a daycare! kids at this school have to wear a uniform from 18m onwards. also ridiculous! so despite it's great location this school is not an option for us. tuition is something like $900-$1300 depending on your child's age and schedule.
by the way, i am also still searching for a good daycare convenient to the medical center so any recommendations would be much appreciated!

[kongposh]

HI
I too am looking for information about the childrens hour montessori. Have you heard anything else about them? I have a four year old that im looking for a school for.

[houston-nomad]

Originally Posted by ny2texas

by the way, i am also still searching for a good daycare convenient to the medical center so any recommendations would be much appreciated!

My kids have been at First Christian School, on Sunset (across the street from Rice University) for several years. They are a reasonably priced daycare, hours are something like 7:00 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. (I'm not 100% sure about those hours because we drop off later and pick up earlier). They offer 3, 4, or 5 days a week, which is rare. For five days a week, prices range from $650/month for pre-K to $715/month for one-year-olds.

Just as an aside, Rice University opened a child care center this year. They would charge us twice as much as we pay at First Christian! Nice benefit, right, when they don't pay you enough to afford it?

[Houston456]

Do they have any half-day 5 days per week schedule ?

Originally Posted by houston-nomad

My kids have been at First Christian School, on Sunset (across the street from Rice University) for several years. They are a reasonably priced daycare, hours are something like 7:00 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. (I'm not 100% sure about those hours because we drop off later and pick up earlier). They offer 3, 4, or 5 days a week, which is rare. For five days a week, prices range from $650/month for pre-K to $715/month for one-year-olds.

Just as an aside, Rice University opened a child care center this year. They would charge us twice as much as we pay at First Christian! Nice benefit, right, when they don't pay you enough to afford it?

[houston-nomad]

Originally Posted by Houston456

Do they have any half-day 5 days per week schedule ?

Nope, only full-day.

[ny2texas]

I enrolled my 2 yr old son at montessori country day school. They have a good reputation and I heard many positive reviews from my colleagues who had their children there. There are several campuses in the museum area, the main office is on labranch. I think they do a good job and my son enjoys school. They have quite a waiting list, though. It is extremely convenient if you work in the medical center area. Check out www.montessorihouston.com for details. I believe that half day schedules are an option there.

[houston-nomad]

Originally Posted by ny2texas

I enrolled my 2 yr old son at montessori country day school. They have a good reputation and I heard many positive reviews from my colleagues who had their children there. There are several campuses in the museum area, the main office is on labranch. I think they do a good job and my son enjoys school. They have quite a waiting list, though. It is extremely convenient if you work in the medical center area. Check out www.montessorihouston.com for details. I believe that half day schedules are an option there.

Yes, that school has an excellent reputation.

[houstonmom1]

we are planning on sending my son to Children's hour montessori, just looking for feedback. thank you

[westres1]

St Stepehens has a Montossori program and I know people who love it.