https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Sun, 14 Jun 2026 02:32:20 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/sahms-did-you-look-at-daycare-centers-for-part-time-preschool#post-2307690 Thu, 01 Oct 2015 13:20:38 +0000 daniellemybelle 2307690@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@pinkcupcake: Gotcha! I wish our children's museum had a true preschool instead of just parent/child programs. It is so awesome! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/sahms-did-you-look-at-daycare-centers-for-part-time-preschool#post-2306634 Wed, 30 Sep 2015 15:34:44 +0000 pinkcupcake 2306634@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@daniellemybelle: I should have specified - by "more academic," I mean that there's more focus on developing skills like writing their names, simple math concepts, etc. They still spend the vast majority of their time playing :) We are at our children's museum - it's prob the most highly rated preschool program in our area. </p> <p>Now if we can only feel better enough to go ... :T </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/sahms-did-you-look-at-daycare-centers-for-part-time-preschool#post-2306483 Wed, 30 Sep 2015 13:49:29 +0000 daniellemybelle 2306483@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Andrea: It's great your preschool has introduced you to other moms - I would love that too! I think I need to keep researching and asking around but a lot of the preschools I am finding seem to be less academic than the daycares actually. They are basically MDO and very play-based. (I'm a huge fan of play-based but that's been interesting.)</p> <p>@BandDmommy: Yes, we are totally looking at Montessori! I just want some other options to compare.</p> <p>@Foodnerd81: Yeah, that is a very good point about the flow of the day! At our school in our previous city, the school day is 9-3 but they have before &amp; after care, so you could do a full day 7-5. Before &amp; after care is 100% unstructured play with different teachers so the kids that just go 9-3 aren't missing much.</p> <p>@KayKay: @Mae: That's good to know!</p> <p>@2littlepumpkins: The daycare center chains come up first when googling "preschool" in our area! And when searching on local mom groups, it seems that a daycare center is a popular choice for preschool next to church-based MDOs. I agree that it really does come down to the teachers - I'll definitely be visiting and meeting teachers but I need to narrow down a list first.</p> <p>@wheres_c: Yes, please do!!!</p> <p>@looch: The nature center has a preschool, but she will not be old enough to start next year. She's an October birthday. The children's museum only has parent-child programs. Thanks for the suggestions though!</p> <p>@Mamaof2: Yes, the YMCA has MDO but I have not heard great things. :/</p> <p>@Torchwood: :)</p> <p>@blackbird: You know, I think we do, but the daycare centers that are closer to use are Goddard, Primrose, etc.</p> <p>@bushelandapeck: That's awesome! We are actually in what is being called a preschool co-op now, but it is basically a small playgroup organized by a very "with it" mom. We meet once a week and do preschool-y crafts and activities. I am looking for something more formal and not parent-child. I'll keep asking around about co-ops, though!</p> <p>@californiadreams: How did you find your preschool? Is it full day?</p> <p>@pinkcupcake: I think by next fall when she is almost 3 I am going to want something a little more structured, though I don't know if I would say "academic." How did you find your current preschool? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/sahms-did-you-look-at-daycare-centers-for-part-time-preschool#post-2306150 Wed, 30 Sep 2015 10:09:04 +0000 pinkcupcake 2306150@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>All the daycare centers in our area were full time and even their part time schedules were more than I wanted (3-4 days per week, 4 hours a day). When my lo was 2.5 years old last year, I enrolled her at a co-op preschool for 2-3 year olds. She loved it - twice a week, 2.5 hours each session. It gave her some much needed socialization and she learned so much! It was play based so the kids just basically play at whichever station they want (they had tons of different areas set up), with just a short structured circle time in the beginning and at the end. </p> <p>This year, she is going to a more academic preschool. 3x per week, 3 hours each session. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/sahms-did-you-look-at-daycare-centers-for-part-time-preschool#post-2306076 Wed, 30 Sep 2015 09:20:03 +0000 californiadreams 2306076@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>i am not a SAHM mom, but i will be soon when LO2 gets here and I plan to keep LO in his current preschool, I am just going to bring him down from 5 to 3 days and make them shorter days. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/sahms-did-you-look-at-daycare-centers-for-part-time-preschool#post-2305954 Wed, 30 Sep 2015 08:10:38 +0000 bushelandapeck 2305954@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I am working PT now but I enrolled DS in a co-op for two days/week when I was SAH with him. I found it by asking around to my local moms group. He went there for two years and is now attending traditional preschool at a different location. It was SO good for both of us! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/sahms-did-you-look-at-daycare-centers-for-part-time-preschool#post-2305951 Wed, 30 Sep 2015 08:08:06 +0000 blackbird 2305951@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@daniellemybelle: Do you have a Kindercare center near you? The ones I know all do PT schedules (it's what E is going to in Jan, after being in a tiny 4-kid in-home for 2.5 years...scary!) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/sahms-did-you-look-at-daycare-centers-for-part-time-preschool#post-2305949 Wed, 30 Sep 2015 08:05:47 +0000 Torchwood 2305949@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We're planning to homeschool, so we won't be sending her to preschool at all. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/sahms-did-you-look-at-daycare-centers-for-part-time-preschool#post-2305945 Wed, 30 Sep 2015 08:03:03 +0000 Mamaof2 2305945@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@daniellemybelle: check your local YMCA and Hospitals - both of ours have DCP programs.</p> <p>Our DCP/School offers PT care and its totally fine I think. The curriculum portion of the school day is from 9-1 then nap is 1-3 and then free play from 3pm till pick up.<br /> So if your going PT your not missing out on anything. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/sahms-did-you-look-at-daycare-centers-for-part-time-preschool#post-2305872 Wed, 30 Sep 2015 06:24:21 +0000 looch 2305872@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I just wanted to drop off two ideas on where to look for preschool: nature centers and childrens museums. Both in my area offer preschool programs that are about 4-5 hours per day.</p> <p>I send my son to a nature center based preschool and it's been wonderful. As far as pricing, while we pay less than we would if he were in a full day program, the cost per hour is much higher. It's also 2.5 times more expensive than what a program at the local Catholic school offers. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/sahms-did-you-look-at-daycare-centers-for-part-time-preschool#post-2305848 Tue, 29 Sep 2015 23:30:31 +0000 wheres_c 2305848@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My friends kids all go to a small part time preschool at a church in your town and they love it! I can pass along the info if you want it! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/sahms-did-you-look-at-daycare-centers-for-part-time-preschool#post-2305839 Tue, 29 Sep 2015 22:53:32 +0000 2littlepumpkins 2305839@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Nope. But I was googling "preschools" when I first started looking and wasn't looking for full time (although we may end up doing full time by the end of the year.) I haven't been too impressed by what I hear about some of the chain daycare/preschools and honestly didn't even look into them. We ended up going with one that wasn't high on my list when looking online but has turned out to be a great play based program with awesome teachers. I think the most important thing to do is take a look at some different centers and get a feel for whether they would be a good fit. It's hard to say what your lo will be like at three but if it goes with your parenting style and what you expect from a preschool, that's a good start. :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/sahms-did-you-look-at-daycare-centers-for-part-time-preschool#post-2305741 Tue, 29 Sep 2015 20:25:02 +0000 Mae 2305741@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Just chiming in to say the goddard by us DOES allow part time schedules for kids older than 1 year. So if that is the only factor keeping you from considering them, maybe at least check to be sure. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/sahms-did-you-look-at-daycare-centers-for-part-time-preschool#post-2305735 Tue, 29 Sep 2015 20:19:37 +0000 Foodnerd81 2305735@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@KayKay: you confirmed my exact concern about bright horizons, thank you! (That if she was just doing 9-12, she wouldn't get that much out of it). </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/sahms-did-you-look-at-daycare-centers-for-part-time-preschool#post-2305611 Tue, 29 Sep 2015 18:57:46 +0000 KayKay 2305611@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Adding: we loved our Bright Horizons, though, and had we not moved, would've kept LO1 there and started LO2 there too. It had some really good teachers, a good curriculum, and ours had an awesome, huge natural playground. It was honestly like the best combination of play-based and Montessori, and I wish they had them here! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/sahms-did-you-look-at-daycare-centers-for-part-time-preschool#post-2305609 Tue, 29 Sep 2015 18:56:15 +0000 KayKay 2305609@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>When LO1 was younger, she went to a Bright Horizons fulltime. That one did offer part-time options (both in terms of hours/day and days/week). I would think you might miss out a bit if you were only doing a couple days a week and less than, say, 9-3. Like, I wouldn't want to put a kid in 9-12 3 days/week when the rest of the class was going full-time all week. </p> <p>We moved and now have a not-quite-1 year old LO2....and I'm currently SAH. I actually looked briefly at a couple daycare-ish places, thinking I would want to get LO2 in a couple days a week too, and those were the only ones with infant care. But 99% of places only do full-time infant care, which I didn't want or need, so I didn't end up looking much further than that for LO1. Honestly, mostly it was because I didn't love any of them. They are mostly farther away, near busier roads/intersections, and didn't seem to offer much "extra" for whatever I would pay. </p> <p>We ended up just doing a more "traditional" preschool that offers 3, 4, or 5 days/week from 9a-1p. Plus afternoon playpals from 1-3 is optional. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/sahms-did-you-look-at-daycare-centers-for-part-time-preschool#post-2305588 Tue, 29 Sep 2015 18:27:33 +0000 Foodnerd81 2305588@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@daniellemybelle: I haven't yet but it's been suggested. In my immediate area there are only two small, catholic preschools that both start at 2 years 9 months. A friend who used to work at bright horizons suggested I look at them and said they DO offer flexible hours for preschool and that there were a good number of kids doing part time when she worked there. I'm sure they are still expensive though, since it's bright horizons. </p> <p>My biggest hesitation is that the flow of the day wouldn't be that smooth if they are combining full day with the part time kids, where if everyone is doing half days like at a regular preschool, the day is geared around that. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/sahms-did-you-look-at-daycare-centers-for-part-time-preschool#post-2305562 Tue, 29 Sep 2015 17:51:45 +0000 Andrea 2305562@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Daycare centers are actually cheaper in our area, but I don't need all of those hours as a SAHM and I wanted the more academic preschool setting. I think the quality of education is better at the preschools in our area versus preschool programs within daycares. Most of the SAHMs use preschool so it's been a good place for me to meet mom friends, too. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/sahms-did-you-look-at-daycare-centers-for-part-time-preschool#post-2305547 Tue, 29 Sep 2015 17:24:51 +0000 BandDmommy 2305547@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@daniellemybelle: have you looked at Montessori? They have more flexible schedules </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/sahms-did-you-look-at-daycare-centers-for-part-time-preschool#post-2305537 Tue, 29 Sep 2015 17:13:13 +0000 daniellemybelle 2305537@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@oliviaoblivia: Maybe there are but I can't find them online - I will ask around!</p> <p>@hilsy85: Yeah, that's a big thing for us too. But if it were the best option, we could always pick her up earlier than the actual day. It just sucks to pay for it when you aren't using it. It might actually be nice to have that flexibility for her to stay longer! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/sahms-did-you-look-at-daycare-centers-for-part-time-preschool#post-2305515 Tue, 29 Sep 2015 16:51:13 +0000 hilsy85 2305515@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I didn't, because I didn't want him in full time care/a full time day, and I don't know flexible they are with what they allow you to do. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/sahms-did-you-look-at-daycare-centers-for-part-time-preschool#post-2305512 Tue, 29 Sep 2015 16:47:43 +0000 oliviaoblivia 2305512@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@daniellemybelle: our co-op excuses moms for eight weeks when a sibling is born. They also allow me to being the baby with me on my volunteer days. Too bad there aren't any closer to you. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/sahms-did-you-look-at-daycare-centers-for-part-time-preschool#post-2305510 Tue, 29 Sep 2015 16:41:06 +0000 daniellemybelle 2305510@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Rockies11: Oh, wow! That's a huge price difference. I definitely think daycare centers are typically more expensive but I don't want that to be the only reason we don't look. I also think if they provide enrichment opportunities like dance, music, art, etc. then we would save on those classes outside school. </p> <p>The part where the expense seems like it's not worth is if it is for like 6am-6pm when we would really only want to take her, say, 9am-3pm. But I haven't explored if the chains offer any half or shorter days. I think the Montessori daycares do.</p> <p>@oliviaoblivia: @BandDmommy: I would totally be open to a co-op but at least from online research the only ones are far away from us. I also don't want to bite off more than I can chew if I am going to have a newborn at some point in there. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/sahms-did-you-look-at-daycare-centers-for-part-time-preschool#post-2305505 Tue, 29 Sep 2015 16:35:54 +0000 BandDmommy 2305505@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Have you thought about co-ops? It's definitely an option since you are a SAHM. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/sahms-did-you-look-at-daycare-centers-for-part-time-preschool#post-2305494 Tue, 29 Sep 2015 16:26:23 +0000 oliviaoblivia 2305494@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I didn't look at day care centers. The wait lists are insane... 2-3 years.<br /> We found an amazing co-op preschool within walking distance. DD is really happy there and has learned a ton in just a few weeks.<br /> I really like to co-op model because I get to know her teachers, classmates and their parents well.<br /> Having me there every so often has helped with her transition as well. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/sahms-did-you-look-at-daycare-centers-for-part-time-preschool#post-2305485 Tue, 29 Sep 2015 16:11:18 +0000 Rockies11 2305485@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>The only reason why I haven't is because the daycare preschools are insanely expensive even for part time compared to the community centre/church preschools. Like the preschool at our community centre is 160/mo for 2 days, and the daycare is 800/mo for 2 days. So that's been my deciding factor! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/sahms-did-you-look-at-daycare-centers-for-part-time-preschool#post-2305436 Tue, 29 Sep 2015 15:16:49 +0000 daniellemybelle 2305436@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Background if you don't know: I worked 4 days per week with LO in daycare 2 days and with my mom 2 days until she was 20 months old. (There was a period she went to daycare 4 days when my mom was injured, too.) LO went to a small church-based preschool for daycare. She struggled a lot but we loved them. We recently moved and now I work very lightly from home and SAH with LO.</p> <p>Because everyone in the universe is moving to our city, daycare/preschool wait lists are kind of bonkers. 1-2 years is typical. We are looking for part-time preschool for LO next fall. She will be almost 3. I think I will probably be pregnant with another LO by then or TTC so I want to give her socialization and structure outside home before a new baby joins us. </p> <p>Many of the preschools in our area are actually daycare centers. You have the typical Goddard, Primrose, Bright Horizons, etc. I initially ruled these out - #1 because from what I know they don't really offer part-time schedules so we would pay for more time that we need or use, and #2 because what we're coming from (small religious preschool) is pretty different.</p> <p>Still, I am wanting to look at a variety of schools to compare and get an idea of what would fit LO best. As much as I would love to find something like her school back home in our new city, I also need to think about that what she needs at 3 years old is different than 10 months old.</p> <p> I do love that daycare centers seem to offer a lot of different activities. They all seem to emphasize that they start a preschool curriculum at ages 2 or 3. </p> <p>So... Did you look at daycare centers? Should we?</p> <p>ETA: I know that a common differentiator between daycare and preschool is that preschool is more academic, or the teachers are more educated/experienced, etc. But honestly in my preliminary research in the area this hasn't been the case except for specific types of schools like Montessori. And there are Montessori daycare centers here. The biggest differences seem to be the hours/schedules and ages that they take. </p>