Daycare/Preschool (Pittsburgh, Bethel Park, Lebanon: how much, house, living in)

[AndeanJean]

My family and I are moving to Pittsburgh late this summer. We are looking to enroll our two children (who will be 1 1/2 and 3 1/2) in full-day daycare/preschool. We will be living in either the Shadyside/Regent Square/Squirrel Hill area or in Mt. Lebanon/Bethel Park/Baldwin. We don't mind driving the kids 30+ minutes to school. Everything we have looked at is around $2,400 for the two- - which is pricy for us. Does anyone have any recommendations beyond the typical centers (Kinder Care, Tender Care, Carriage House, Small Wonders at the UPMC, the new Goddard School)? Is there any place where you have not had a good experience? Thanks.

[theta_sigma]

Temple Beth Shalom in Squirrel Hill has a very well-regarded childcare center, as does the Jewish Community Center. It doesn't matter if you aren't Jewish at both places, they take children of all different religions. In a similar vein, the Catholic Youth Association runs a daycare out of the Stephen Foster Community Center in Lawrenceville, which is a bit out of the way of Shadyside/Regent Square/Squirrel Hill, but is reasonably priced for a non-chain center and it's where I send my son--I've been very happy with it. Again, it's not a religious educational program, there are children and teachers of all faiths there. There is also Interplay in Swissvale--a friend of mine sent her son there all the way through until he went to Kindergarten and she seemed happy with it.

[AndeanJean]

Thanks so much! Those all seem like great options.

[DaisyDaisy]

I have friends who've used Interplay, as Theta mentioned, as well as Shady Lane Pittsburgh Preschool: Shady Lane. Both families have said good things about the care there, although I'm not sure about fees.

[guy2073]

in mt lebanon i went here 35 years ago Mushroom Family Learning Center - Home

we have friends who send there children here, the love it, it is also right on the bus line https://m.facebook.com/pages/Tender-...49445821765913

[AndeanJean]

Thanks everyone -- these suggestions are very helpful.

[dcraider]

Not sure where you decided to move yet. If its in the East End, then we really love Shady Lane School for our kid. Love the diversity, love the educators, and the spirit of the school and having it less then 10 min drive from Point Breeze and Shadyside make it very easy for drop off and pick ups after work.

[robrobrob]

I think it depends on how much less than 2400 a month you want to spend. Some of the more popular ones in the East End are usually over a 1000 a month.

The Carriage House is well regarded but pricey.

[villageidiot1]

We also had a positive experience with Mushroom Family Learning Center in Mt. Lebo.