Preschools in Locust Grove, Syosset (Huntington, Hicksville: YMCA, preschool, inspectors)

[Nuriko]

Hello,

We will be moving to Locust Grove, Syosset in January and need some help with preschools. We have a 3yr old son who is in preschool, a 1 yr old daughter and another one due soon. Our 3yr old son just started school this September and it breaks our heart to relocate at this time just when he has warmed up to his teacher and developed friends.

So, we would like to find another preschool for him. Although he will have to start over, it is still better than staying at home. Plus, he loves going to school and enjoy playing and participating in all the school activities. Please advise if there are any good preschools around Locust Grove.

Other information:
1. By January 2012, our son will be 3 1/2 years old
2. Currently, he is in private preschool from 8:30 to 2:15 on a daily basis, so we would like to keep the same time schedule if not longer.
3. Would be ideal if there is transportation to the school, but not a deal breaker

Thanks for your help in advance! If I left out any information, please feel free to ask.

Regards,
Nuriko

[Coney]

I don't know of any in Locust Grove, but there's a bunch in nearby Plainview and Hicksville. Miss Sue's, Carousel Day School, the Plainview Y has one, Just Wee Too, Plainview Cooperative. One of the schools in Plainview got in serious trouble a few years, but I can't remember which one.

[Walter Greenspan]

Concomitant with the 1990 Census, the Hamlet of Locust Grove, the part of the Hamlet of Syosset south of the Jericho Turnpike, was made part of the Hamlet of Syosset.

[RiddleMeThis]

Originally Posted by Coney

I don't know of any in Locust Grove, but there's a bunch in nearby Plainview and Hicksville. Miss Sue's, Carousel Day School, the Plainview Y has one, Just Wee Too, Plainview Cooperative. One of the schools in Plainview got in serious trouble a few years, but I can't remember which one.

It was Carousel - kid choked to death on a carrot a teacher had left out. There were other violations discovered at that time.

Not sure where Locust Grove is but there is a YMCA in HUntington you might consider.

[AKA Bubbleup]

Tutor Time in Syosset, should be convenient for you. Variety of timeframe/ rates available. Max 7AM - 7PM. We've been fortunate that many of our kids caretakers have been either acquiring practical experience for a career in education or returning or transitioning from a career in education to child care (so it's more valuable from an educational angle than glorified babysitting).

All in all, more than adequate for our needs but I am getting the feeling they are taking on a higher percentage (either via pressure or necessity) to accept state and federally subsidized students into the program. This paradigm would have to accelerate significantly for me to consider moving by business elsewhere (It's fairly well balanced right now).

There's is also Countrywood in Melville (which would be convenient if you worked (my assumption) East of Syosset, logistical issues if you work west of Syosset). Countrywood has a more developed curricullum than TT but their hours of operation make it an impractical choice for my family (8-4)

[Coney]

Originally Posted by AKA Bubbleup

Tutor Time in Syosset, should be convenient for you. Variety of timeframe/ rates available. Max 7AM - 7PM. We've been fortunate that many of our kids caretakers have been either acquiring practical experience for a career in education or returning or transitioning from a career in education to child care (so it's more valuable from an educational angle than glorified babysitting).

All in all, more than adequate for our needs but I am getting the feeling they are taking on a higher percentage (either via pressure or necessity) to accept state and federally subsidized students into the program. This paradigm would have to accelerate significantly for me to consider moving by business elsewhere (It's fairly well balanced right now).

There's is also Countrywood in Melville (which would be convenient if you worked (my assumption) East of Syosset, logistical issues if you work west of Syosset). Countrywood has a more developed curricullum than TT but their hours of operation make it an impractical choice for my family (8-4)

I cannot speak for this particular TT school, but the problem with some of them is that turnover for the teachers and directors is pretty high. Many of the employees are rather inexperienced and work there for a while for the experience and then move on. If the center is registered with DSS, then there should not be "babysitting" during "school hours," as they are required to submit lesson plans and curriculum content to their inspectors (providing the inspectors are doing their job, which some DO not). There are still centers out there on Long Island where most of the staff has been there for 10-20 years and few new teachers are hired because most do not leave (when they are treated fairly well). I think that all of these places pay their staff low wages, but some treat their employees better than others.

[Nuriko]

Thanks for all the recommendations. We are definitely not looking for a glorified babysitter, but would like a school with a curriculum. I know he's only 3 years old but I rather he learned and engage in activities than to waste his time and hopefully get a head start.

I work in NYC and my wife is a full time mom, so we are not restricted by the hours. Definitely don't need 7am-7pm, but something along the lines of 6-8 hours would be great.

We will definitely call and do more research on the ones that have been mentioned. Thank you all once again.

[AKA Bubbleup]

Name correction: Not Countrywood (it's Crestwood) If hours are not an issue, they seem to have the most thorough curriculum.

There is also West Hills Montessori and Huntington Montessori school (West Hills would be closer/ Huntington M is adjacent to the S. Huntington public library).