Well, you know I recommend St Andrews, but there is also St Pauls in the museum district, which is awesome! I'd also look into St Lukes, and St Marks.....all with incredibly long waitlists, I am sure....but you may get lucky somewhere.
I'm not sure about inside the loop, but registration for MDO/Preschool in my area is in mid-February (to start in the fall). You are smart to look now. I had to go crazy early on sign up day the first year to get in, but now we get to go a week early.
I am close friends with the director at St. Andrews, Nanci and at First Presbyterian in Muesum District, Diane. If you want more info you can email me at tobewed09@gmail.com. those are my recs.
The good news is the waiting lists do relax a little bit as the kids get older b/c a lot of parents move them in to pre-Ks at elementary schools. At 3, T had an automatic spot at St Andrew's in the Heights, but Mathis had to wait almost 8 moths for a spot to open.
Creme's program branches off into a PK3, PK4, and I think K program at their ages. Many of Lucas's Creme buddies are still there and will stay until transitioning to public schools.
We left with a heavy heart to secure the slot for the next phase of schooling. That left our spot open at Creme -- like others said, if a school isn't feeding an elementary, slots open up at that age.
Lucas's Creme friends are still doing well and learning a great deal. The director finds it important to prepare the children. The children often feed into private schools or places like Travis, and it seems that the reputation proceeds them. Our current school has a lot of praise for how well prepared the kids are coming out of that program. (Personally, I cannot tell you how things stack up - I am just a parent with limited scope.)
I totally relate on the "secrecy." I remember being completely clueless. I didn't even know MDO is scheduled like a regular school year.
The JCC in Meyerland has a great MDO program, and they have a neat summer program too. When my kids went there, they generally had a few spots open, and I remember kids starting in the middle of the year. Of course they celebrate Jewish holidays and Shabbat each Friday, but with the exception of Shabbat and one holiday that celebrates the Torah, they are really more cultural celebrations than religious celebrations.
You do have to have a JCC membership as well, but that cost is minimal, and you would have access to the pools and their programs as well.
I am close friends with the director at St. Andrews, Nanci and at First Presbyterian in Muesum District, Diane. If you want more info you can email me at tobewed09@gmail.com. those are my recs.
Ohhh I love Nanci!!! I was going to give her a call if PAGAS liked St Andrews after the tour ;-)
Sunday, May 15, 2011 2:00pm - 5:00pmHilton Houston Post OakFree! Child care options for Houston families in one convenient location. Location: Grand Ballroom Houston Hilton Post Oak 2001 Post Oak Boulevard Houston, TX 77056 Optional Educational Seminars - Meet the Experts! Collaborative for Children Choosing the Right Childcare - 2:30pm to 3:15pm
School Solutions Preparing for Preschool - 3:45pm to 4:30pm Cost: $5 per seminar
Complimentary for Premier CityCard holders (email events@premierbabyplanning.com to RSVP)
Oh gosh. I totally understand. It's insane where I live. I looked into it twice (sadly, it won't fit in our budget. dang). And I can't even imagine ITL! Yikes. Good luck!
Re: MDO Inside the Loop
I feel like this is worse than sorority rush, everything is so damn closeted and mysterious
DITTO screamed from the mountain tops!! It is like everyone knows the secret, and they are whispering about it just out of earshot!
V had T at Esperanza
We're outside the loop, but it's an easy drive for us. We waited almost a year to get in.
j+k+m+e | running with needles
Creme's program branches off into a PK3, PK4, and I think K program at their ages. Many of Lucas's Creme buddies are still there and will stay until transitioning to public schools.
We left with a heavy heart to secure the slot for the next phase of schooling. That left our spot open at Creme -- like others said, if a school isn't feeding an elementary, slots open up at that age.
Lucas's Creme friends are still doing well and learning a great deal. The director finds it important to prepare the children. The children often feed into private schools or places like Travis, and it seems that the reputation proceeds them. Our current school has a lot of praise for how well prepared the kids are coming out of that program. (Personally, I cannot tell you how things stack up - I am just a parent with limited scope.)
Good luck. It can make your head swim.
I totally relate on the "secrecy." I remember being completely clueless. I didn't even know MDO is scheduled like a regular school year.
The JCC in Meyerland has a great MDO program, and they have a neat summer program too. When my kids went there, they generally had a few spots open, and I remember kids starting in the middle of the year. Of course they celebrate Jewish holidays and Shabbat each Friday, but with the exception of Shabbat and one holiday that celebrates the Torah, they are really more cultural celebrations than religious celebrations.
You do have to have a JCC membership as well, but that cost is minimal, and you would have access to the pools and their programs as well.
Ohhh I love Nanci!!! I was going to give her a call if PAGAS liked St Andrews after the tour ;-)
There is a child care expo in May. You can ask a lot of questions there.
https://premierbabyplanning.com/childcareexpo2011
1ST ANNUAL CHILD CARE EXPO
Sunday, May 15, 20112:00pm - 5:00pmHilton Houston Post OakFree!
Child care options for Houston families in one convenient location.
Location:
Grand Ballroom
Houston Hilton Post Oak
2001 Post Oak Boulevard
Houston, TX 77056
Optional Educational Seminars - Meet the Experts!
Collaborative for Children
Choosing the Right Childcare - 2:30pm to 3:15pm
School Solutions
Preparing for Preschool - 3:45pm to 4:30pm
Cost: $5 per seminar
Complimentary for Premier CityCard holders (email events@premierbabyplanning.com to RSVP)