Resources for finding a preschool?

kristalovesjared · June 2011

The redshirting posts got me thinking about starting to figure out where we will have Ella go to preschool... it's still a year and a half away, but I'd like to start some research. Are there any good websites I can go to for information on preschools. We live right in the middle of Covington/Maple Valley/Black Diamond. I'm thinking I'd like to have her go to a coop preschool, but want to look at other options too as I may be working again next year! Thanks!

BriAndSean · June 2011

The Maple Valley Community Center holds an annual preschool fair in January. We got a lot of great info there this last year. They also have a link on their website (sorry, can't post it from my phone) with the info for all the preschools that participate. There are two coop preschools in the area, both affiliated with GRCC. TAHOMA coop is in old Maple Valley near the market and then Covington Coop which is near the Covington McDonalds. We're starting K at Covington Coop this fall. I personally really like Junior Junction best out of the non-coop schools but there are TONS of options. I would start with the community center info. A lot of people start coop at age 2, so that would also be something you could consider.. Covington coop does accept a limited number of "traditional" students if you can't swing the time commitment because of work. Good luck with your search. Since you're starting so early, I'm sure you'll have no trouble finding what you want

Seattle_JiLLn · June 2011

parentmap sponsors some preschool fairs in the winter and I think has a good list of preschools on their website. You can also look at schools that are NAEYC accredited...(https://www.naeyc.org/accreditation/search) from what I can tell, that accredidation is hard to come by, so schools with it are very good generally. Not having it doesn't mean a school isn't good though, because I think there are a lot of hoops to getting it, so a lot of smaller schools don't even try.

I will say that a lot of schools get wait lists going by January of the year before you want your child to start. So it's good to start looking now.

Seattle_JiLLn · June 2011

oh and if I'm doing my math right, she'll need a 2's program. There are a lot fewer preschools that start at 2. The good news though is that if you get into a 2's program you don't have to fight with everyone else starting at 3

Look at local community colleges for co-op programs as well.

kristalovesjared · June 2011

BriAndSean:
The Maple Valley Community Center holds an annual preschool fair in January. We got a lot of great info there this last year. They also have a link on their website (sorry, can't post it from my phone) with the info for all the preschools that participate. There are two coop preschools in the area, both affiliated with GRCC. TAHOMA coop is in old Maple Valley near the market and then Covington Coop which is near the Covington McDonalds. We're starting K at Covington Coop this fall. I personally really like Junior Junction best out of the non-coop schools but there are TONS of options. I would start with the community center info. A lot of people start coop at age 2, so that would also be something you could consider.. Covington coop does accept a limited number of "traditional" students if you can't swing the time commitment because of work. Good luck with your search. Since you're starting so early, I'm sure you'll have no trouble finding what you want

Oh thank you! I will definitely check out the community center... didn't even think of that! I wish I would have knows about the fair in January. I will keep that in mind for next year. It would be neat to start coop preschool at 2 because Ella LOVES any activities we go to with groups of kids, but I'll have a 3 month old at that time and am not sure if I'll be ready yet! I actually went to Covington Coop for preschool a million years ago so that was one I had on my mind to check out. Do you know if the teacher is still Mrs. Brown?

kristalovesjared · June 2011

Seattle_JiLLn:
parentmap sponsors some preschool fairs in the winter and I think has a good list of preschools on their website. You can also look at schools that are NAEYC accredited...(https://www.naeyc.org/accreditation/search) from what I can tell, that accredidation is hard to come by, so schools with it are very good generally. Not having it doesn't mean a school isn't good though, because I think there are a lot of hoops to getting it, so a lot of smaller schools don't even try.
I will say that a lot of schools get wait lists going by January of the year before you want your child to start. So it's good to start looking now.

I definitely agree with this! I worked at a childcare center that was NAEYC accredited when I was in high school and it was crazy how the 2 days that the NAEYC people came out to observe the center, the director totally changed how things were done!!! Tons of new toys came out, the kids spent more time outside, the chaotic/non structured classrooms actually had a structured schedule... can't remember what else, but even as a high school student it seemed really wrong to me!

BriAndSean · June 2011

Yep, it's still Mrs. Brown! That is so cool :)I know what you mean about the craziness. #3 will be born just a month or so after K starts. I'm pretty sure I'm going to be a little crazy for a while, but we'll figure it out. The 2 year old class is only one day a week so that probably wouldn't be too bad. The parents I've talked to there have told me it's totally doable and many of the other moms are in similar situations. I think baby bunching is quite common in this area

kristalovesjared · June 2011

Mrs. Brown is wonderful! My Mom loved her and my favorite part of pre-school was when she took us on a field trip to her house!

She also came to visit all the students at their houses, which was pretty neat!

breebree13 · June 2011

I just started researching this last week. Unfortunately for us Covington coop was full for next year and a wait list of like 12 I cant remember if it is maple valley coop it one in kent but for an extra $ 15 you can bring a younger sibling as long as you wear them. That will be my only option unless I can get my Mom to look after Syd.

kristalovesjared · June 2011

breebree13:
I just started researching this last week. Unfortunately for us Covington coop was full for next year and a wait list of like 12 I cant remember if it is maple valley coop it one in kent but for an extra $ 15 you can bring a younger sibling as long as you wear them. That will be my only option unless I can get my Mom to look after Syd.

Oh that's good to know about the wait list... I'll have to check it out ASAP to decide if I want to get on it. Luckily if I'm not working then, my Mom will be able to watch the baby.

tfarabians · June 2011

kristalovesjared:

BriAndSean:
The Maple Valley Community Center holds an annual preschool fair in January. We got a lot of great info there this last year. They also have a link on their website (sorry, can't post it from my phone) with the info for all the preschools that participate. There are two coop preschools in the area, both affiliated with GRCC. TAHOMA coop is in old Maple Valley near the market and then Covington Coop which is near the Covington McDonalds. We're starting K at Covington Coop this fall. I personally really like Junior Junction best out of the non-coop schools but there are TONS of options. I would start with the community center info. A lot of people start coop at age 2, so that would also be something you could consider.. Covington coop does accept a limited number of "traditional" students if you can't swing the time commitment because of work. Good luck with your search. Since you're starting so early, I'm sure you'll have no trouble finding what you want

but I'll have a 3 month old at that time and am not sure if I'll be ready yet! I actually went to Covington Coop for preschool a million years ago so that was one I had on my mind to check out. Do you know if the teacher is still Mrs. Brown?

I have a 4 mo old now and at 3 mo I was desperate to find activities for Cruz that I didn't have to do much and it was in a safe environment. We did co-op toddler classes a lot until C was 3 and lots of the moms brought their tiny babies with them and other moms were great about helping out. It gets you out of the house for an hour : )

Seattle_JiLLn · June 2011

tfarabians:
kristalovesjared:

BriAndSean:
The Maple Valley Community Center holds an annual preschool fair in January. We got a lot of great info there this last year. They also have a link on their website (sorry, can't post it from my phone) with the info for all the preschools that participate. There are two coop preschools in the area, both affiliated with GRCC. TAHOMA coop is in old Maple Valley near the market and then Covington Coop which is near the Covington McDonalds. We're starting K at Covington Coop this fall. I personally really like Junior Junction best out of the non-coop schools but there are TONS of options. I would start with the community center info. A lot of people start coop at age 2, so that would also be something you could consider.. Covington coop does accept a limited number of "traditional" students if you can't swing the time commitment because of work. Good luck with your search. Since you're starting so early, I'm sure you'll have no trouble finding what you want
but I'll have a 3 month old at that time and am not sure if I'll be ready yet! I actually went to Covington Coop for preschool a million years ago so that was one I had on my mind to check out. Do you know if the teacher is still Mrs. Brown?
I have a 4 mo old now and at 3 mo I was desperate to find activities for Cruz that I didn't have to do much and it was in a safe environment. We did co-op toddler classes a lot until C was 3 and lots of the moms brought their tiny babies with them and other moms were great about helping out. It gets you out of the house for an hour : )

Yep - I lugged Cooper to all of Ben's activities. And thank God Ben had activities because I was too tired to do anything fun. We did a BCC class that was 2 mornings a week, and he did Little Gym one day a week, and we had play group one day a week. Cooper just slept in the Moby on me every morning!

jcyahne · June 2011

There is also a co-op by my house at the Maple Valley Presbyterian church across from Shadow Lake elementary that might be worth checking out. They have a 2 year old class that goes one day a week with a parent, and they have more extensive classes for 3 and 4 year olds and pre-K. I think it is called New Life Preschool.

jcyahne · June 2011

Oh and if you are interested in other activities for Ella, we have been taking Jillian to a parent and tot gymnastics class at Hart's Gymnastics on Saturday mornings. I think they also have a session on Mondays as well. It is for kids 16 months or older. It has been really nice because they get to play but there is also some structure. Every 15 minutes they do circle time where we sing songs or play with the parachute. It has been great to start getting Jillian used to a more structured setting like that. In a few more months Hayden will get to join her too!

StellaZ · June 2011

I want to be a SAHM near Fremont just so G could attend Teacher Tom's Co-Op preschool!

Want a personalized experience?

Resources for finding a preschool?

Re: Resources for finding a preschool?

Choose Another Board

Search Boards