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Houston Babies
Esperanza School?
Does anyone send their kids here? I'm looking into it for September for my 2 (will be 2 then). I hear they are moving to a new building; we've got a tour scheduled, but I wanted to know IRL opinions.
Any info? Thanks.
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Re: Esperanza School?
A good friend of ours had her daughter there. She is the most germaphobic, over protective, obsessive mother I have ever met. She was happy, until she saw a cord to a radio in within reach of the kiddos and pulled her child out... I'd say if that's what she had to be angry about then it's probably a great place
I can't believe they are 2. I can remember sitting in the RE office waiting for our U/S. Seems like yesterday....
Lol. Well, considering I've seen Lucy hit James over the head with a plugged-in clock radio, I'm not too concerned
I know, Brandi! It's crazy how time flies!! When did our kids get so old?
the joys of siblings.... Luca loves to push Lila down when she's walking. She likes to pull his hair. I wish they would make a stroller with a partition to keep their hands on their own side.
Time does fly. Lila started walking last week and talking this week. Luca is a real little person. Crazy!!!
Truitt is currently at Esperanza until he leaves for preK at School of The Woods in August.
Do I see things that bug me? Sure. Is it perfect? Nope. But when you read as many discussions about daycares as I do on the HKG forum, you start to realize no place, period, is perfect. My son is truly happy there, which is the biggest test. At 3, he would certainly tell me if there was anything wrong. Also, because i SAH, i pick him up at all different times and see what is happening in the toddler house on a regular basis. I think the teachers are truly caring and all the kids are really happy.
The new school is wonderful. Frankly, I was skeptical because the owner is such a space cadet, always filled with a lot of grand ideas and not always able to pull them off in an organized manner, if at all. BUT i have already toured the new school and both DH and i were definitely impressed. we have applied for the short stops (MDO) for mathis for next year based on this.
All this being said, for the record I would not put a small infant in their school. I know too many people who have had issues with the infant teachers. For ages 2+, definitely.
Thanks for the info. I'm pretty laissez-faire as far as parenting -- I just want my kids to be happy, safe, and to be stimulated.
Currently, they're at home with the nanny. She's excellent, but it is quite expensive ($2600/month), and doesn't speak English -- so my kids don't speak much English yet, either. At 2, I think they need the extra socialization with other kids, but we can't financially swing putting them both in preschool a few days a week on top of the nanny salary.
I'm glad to hear you're happy with the program. I'm a little sad they're moving, if only because the current school is so close, but if it's a better facility, it seems worth it.
We probably have pretty similar parenting styles.
One thing that we liked about Esperanza, and this isn't for all parents, is that they don't have a really rigid curriculum. Yes, the kids definitely learn things. I am amazed at the stuff T comes home talking about. But the learning is very interactive and there is a lot of story time and A LOT of outside play. That is what I want for my kids at 2-3 years old. I know kids that go to more academic type daycares and it's great that they are reading at 3 years old or whatever, but studies already show that early advancement of basic skills levels off in elementary so I really just want my kids to enjoy being kids and have fun! They have 15+ years of school ahead and after that a lifetime of work.
One thing I do.not.like is that they feed them treats almost daily. Things I would not allow T to eat at home. Yesterday, I showed up and they were eating cotton candy. I mean it's not the worst thing and they were reading books about the circus and made paper plate clown faces... So I wasn't mad but I was taken aback by it. I also think an hour before dinner and winding down for the day is not a good time to give toddlers a handful of pure sugar. Usually what they get are otter pops. I mean it is what it is and I don't make a big deal out of it, but it does make me cringe.
Our school does the "treats" too. Luca even asks for "treats". I had no idea that they were going to do that. I was SHOCKED when I read on his daily report that my 18 month old had a popcicle. Actually, I was a little sad. He had his first one without me. This was never mentioned before and I didn't give permission for him to have this. They did ask about allergies.... I don't worry about it now. However, I did provide an enormous box (costco sized) of 100% juice pops with the hope that they would give the kids those instead.
I know a lot of people who are very pleased with it. Another friend had a very hard times with the director addressing some serious concerns a few years ago. This was three years ago.
When I was looking, we nearly went there but could not get in. It turned out to be a good thing, because we found a school that fit our needs better.
Our second choice was better organized, and totally geared toward two working parents with regards to scheduling and expectations on the part of the school. The price was comparable.
Where did you end up sending them??
Of all the kids I know in the toddler house, I am the only SAHM and there is one who is a teacher. All the other families have 2 parents working FT. I just thought I should add that