St Francis of Assisi preschool (day care, house, catholic schools)

[shanti1]

We went to look at this school since it is really close to our house and a few people mentioned it to us. We are new to the area and need a part time preschool for our four year old son. We have him in a place that is supposed to be a preschool, learning center but we are noticing there is not a lot of learning going on.
Our son needs something with more structure, boundaries with kindergarten prep.
Does anyone have any experience with the St Francis of Assisi preschool? We really liked it when we went to visit. Only thing we werent too sure about is the amount of religion that was going to be enforced/encouraged at the preschool level.
Can any of you shine a light on that for us?
Thanks

[no kudzu]

sorry can't address your specific questions but I do know that at that age playing is what is important and learning certainly takes place during healthy play.

[shanti1]

Originally Posted by no kudzu

sorry can't address your specific questions but I do know that at that age playing is what is important and learning certainly takes place during healthy play.

Thanks. Yes I realize that. The problem is that it tends to be all outside play and he is getting physically tired but no mental stimulation like had had at his other school in FL. They are not practicing writing or using a calendar. This place is more babysitting place that costs $700 a month for 3 days. The boys in the class are really bored and since they have no direction so they are hitting, punching, kicking and using bad words. Our sons behavior has really changed since going there.

[shanti1]

We are going to look at Soapstone next week. His current class is 14 kids to one teacher. I think a small class size would help at this stage for him.

[no kudzu]

I too would not tolerate wild crazy and foul mouthed kids. Some outside play is ideal but not the entire day. I realize it is in to call most day care centers learning centers when all they do is baby sit. Good luck finding the right place for your son and your family.

[shanti1]

Thank you! Have a great weekend!

[twingles]

No experience with St. Francis but my kids went to Catholic pre school in NY and it was a great balance of play and learning - Catholic schools usually big on the literacy. I sent my younger child to a more play based pre school and while she wasn't behind when she started kindy, there was a definite difference. Keep in mind St. Francis will be preparing these students for their kindy program since many of those students will likely be going on to that.

They said a prayer at snack time and that's pretty much it - but of course most of the people there will be Catholic (we are and belong to that parish so I may be forgetting stuff as it was a non-issue for us, obviously!)

[shanti1]

Thanks. We are going to check out Soapstone as well. They come highly recommended!

[Gecko86]

What is your budget?