I was just going to post a similar question!!! Thanks for starting this post. My daughter will be attending this program. I was actually the first person to respond to their ad on here, so the director and I have been discussing what I, as a mom, feel is improtant as far as hours, costs, etc. My DH and I are very excited that this program is available to our daughter who will be 5 in October, and will really benefit from the Kindergarten prep they will be doing. She hasn't been able to attend a pre-k program yet because of costs and work conflicts, so this seems perfect!
I would be interested in more information.
Do you have a website or phone number?
The phone # is 361-0301. I called today & talked to Tara, I am #4 on the list. You can have her e-mail you all of the information. There is no deposit as of yet, but she is putting people down in the order they call. My son is signed up for Holy Cross Pre-K, but I won't change anything there until I know this program get's the minimum of five needed. By the way, they provide after care for parents that work until say 5 p.m. It's sounds awesome.
P.S. It's $300/month + you pay hourly for after care. I also do daycare, so if someone wanted me to do after care I could also pick the kids up by 3.
'The Best Things in Life are Right in Front You'
Did she mention if they will be providing before care? She was unsure if they would the last time we spoke. If not, would you be willing to provide before care and transport to the classroom? I have to work at 8:00a.m. and will need to get this figured out if they are not doing before care.
I'm not clear on that either, but I would be willing to do that, I just need to get my ducks in a row as far as #'s go etc. I live over by Mmorial/Roosevelt area. Feel free to PM me if you want to talk further about that :)
'The Best Things in Life are Right in Front You'
Keep an eye out on the Home page of SFMoms, the ad runs periodically. I have printed info and contact names and numbers at home, I'll try to remember to post them tomorrow, but if you keep an eye out for the ad, there is a phone # listed at the bottom.
For those of you who have called...
Is this based out of a center? or did someone start it on their own, based out of their home?
Christian based! That's better yet. She has it covered on the next post :)
'The Best Things in Life are Right in Front You'
It is being sponsored by Hope & Peace Lutheran Church's, and held at the one on South Sherman Ave, I think it's Hope Lutheran Church.
So, they have to be 5 before November? Bummer...my son turns 5 on Nov 13th! I have him registered for Lord of Life Lutheran Preschool on the east side but that sounds like more of what he needs before he starts kindergarten next year!
Katy-mom to Jacob and Abigail, wife to Joseph
Independent Scentsy Consultant-www.BeWickFree.com
I would still give Tara a call, you never know!
'The Best Things in Life are Right in Front You'
I would definitely give Tara a call, I would think that if he will qualify to start Kindergarten the fall of 2009 he should be able to attend High Five.
I wish they took younger, as I'd send Dakota. But he just turned 2.
I think this would be a good program for kids that otherwise would be in daycare all day, but wow, 9am-3pm Monday-Friday for a child that is just turning 5 is an aweful lot to expect. There is a reason the cut off date is September 1st for them to have to be 5 years old by to start kindergarten. A person doesn't think twice about something like this for a child that turns 5 a couple months into school, but it is those September and October birthdays that they think this should be necessary for. I cannot tell you how many people have thought it is such a horrible thing that my daughter will not start school until the following school year. It is wonderful and I was so happy that she was born when she was so she has that extra advantage as being one of the oldest in the class and being more than ready when school starts, especially when she gets in the older grades it will be a huge advantage on her part. My daughter turns 5 in October and although I sent her to preschool this past year, I will not be sending her this year due to the fact that she didn't learn a thing that she didn't already know besides interacting with the other kids and listening to the teacher while I am not there, which don't get me wrong, is a very necessary thing and that is what I wanted to make sure she was ok with for a huge part of it, but now that I know she has no issues with anything I will not waste the money to send her off for the day while I am home to take care of her and teach her myself. I work overnights so that I don't have to send her to daycare and I loved our preschool teacher last year, but it did not benefit my daughter one bit and $80 a month for 5 hours a week did not even begin to be worth it! I think so many people have the mindset that kids have to go to preschool...I think if parents worked with there children at home their wouldn't be a need whatsoever for preschool, unless the child would rather be in daycare all day, then that seems like the more logical answer, to pay a tiny bit more and have it be preschool all day vs. daycare, otherwise, I just don't think if parents did their job and worked with them that these children wouldn't be more than ready for school when it is time. Just my opinion though I guess.
My daughters birthday is 9/25, at first I thought it sucked that she would start school so late, but now I too realize the benefits of this. I do agree with you, more parents should spend the time with their kids to teach them things. Sometimes this isn't feasible though, for instance with single moms who have to work ft and are also going ot school.
I am able to be home with my kids since I do daycare. My son went to EC at Hawthorne last year ( age 3 ) and the most improvement I saw was in his attitude and social skills. Maybe this year he'll pick up more. For some reason, I can't seem to teach him many things. It is frustrating because I can teach/work on things with the daycare kids but not so much with him. Lol, maybe we are just too much alike- very headstrong. So for him, this kind of program would be wonderful I think.
I also do daycare & have a set preschool curriculum, but my son does not want to pay attention to me like my daycare kids do, so preschool does help with that too. Everyone is different when it comes to opinions, but I feel I'm making the right decisions as far as my son is concerned. My only issue is the 9-3, but I'm sure it can be tweaked a bit. They're just developing this class.
Just my opinion...I'm SOOOOOOOOO happy I can have another year with my son too-however, he has always been with me everyday his whole life, and I feel he needs to learn the skills for kindergarten emotionally, academically, different authority figures etc. I'm concerned about the long day, but they have rest period etc. It's no different compared to daycare, except they get constant hands on learning. If he isn't ready for it, then we will cross that road when it comes. He has always had severe social anxiety until he attended preschool last year, and he is a completely different child! People cannot believe the change. Academically he has blossomed too! So, it was the best $120/month I've spent.
'The Best Things in Life are Right in Front You'
I agree with the concerns about the M-F 9-3 schedule. We currently have Rebekka at an in-home daycare M-F 8-5, I am happy that we have the opportunity to introduce her to a more structured environment and really prepare her for Kindergarten next year. All children learn differently and I have two girls at each end of the spectrum. Madyson demonstrated early on an aptitude for learning letters, numbers and reading; she did not attend any form of pre-school and continues to excel as she prepares to enter the 3rd grade. Rebekka on the other hand could really care less about such things. She'd much rather be creative, imaginitive and less focused, especially if it's mom and dad doing the teaching. If I can put my money towards building a stronger foundation for my daughters education, rather than paying for her to attend a daycare, I will do that. (It is not my intent to offend or down play the work of any daycare providers, only stating MO on this topic.)
I think I am going to enroll my son who's b-day is September 12th. The Director who runs this program also runs the daycare at Peace Lutheran Church and there is a waiting list for the daycare there. A friend of mine has her daughter in the daycare at Peace Lutheran Church and she absolutley loves it. Hopefully they can get enough people to enroll. With kindergarden being so much more difficult these days I need my son to be prepared. I thought I would share this incase anyone is questioning it.
Well, I found my happy medium as far as a decision goes, and I just couldn't get past the whole 5 days a week/all day class that this program offers, so I decided to put my son at the Christian Center for a few hours, 3 days a week. It just fits better since he has never been in daycare before, and I might as well have sent him off to kindergarten, if he was to be there all day. This does sound wonderful for pre-ker's who have to be in a daycare setting all day though! The nice thing about the Christian Center is they offer 1/2 day kindergarten or full day kidergarten when the time comes & he can stay there up until the 5th grade. Thanks everyone for your opinions & advice!
'The Best Things in Life are Right in Front You'
I'm sure you've all talked with Tara, but I spoke with her last week and the program is going ahead, whether or not they have the minimum 5 children signed up. I think she said there would be between 4-6 kids depending on final enrollment. Can't wait to get Bekka started and meet all of her 'classmates'. ;o)
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Is anyone else interested in the High Five Program for children with birthdays prior to November 2003 (christian care) located at 1733 S. Sherman Ave.?! They're only accepting up to ten students so quality is tops. I'm very interested, but am a little nervous about the 9-3 p.m. M-F schedule, but that's my issue because my son has been home with me everyday since he was born. It probably would be good for him to have that transition now than later. It's really inexpensive too, compared to what preschools charge for 2 days a week for 2 1/2 hours. Please share your thoughts on this :)