The Observation Deck

Our daughter will be starting pre-school in the fall. With another one on the way (due in early April), I'd really like to check out the options and get her signed up ASAP (read: before the baby is born). Is there a Website or resource that lists available pre-schools in the Lakewood area? Or even something that rates them? Just knowing some options would be helpful so I can set up some visitations. I just spent some time checking out the Lakewood schools website but everything I could find pertains to grades K+. Plus I know there must be several available that aren't a part of the Lakewood school system. Does anyone have any recommendations?

I highly recommend Haynes Nursery School. They are amazing. Our second child just started there (our oldest just entered Kindergarden this year after having graduated from Haynes last year). We also have a one year old and are looking forward to the day he enters Haynes.

In order to better examine all the pre-schools my wife signed up for the Vision Screening Program with the LEPTA. This program allowed her to help the children in the local pre-schools while also giving her the opportunity to see each school in action. As it turned out for us Haynes was the perfect fit for our children. I fully understand that each parent has his/her own comfort level in terms of this kind of decision and I am glad we decided on Haynes.

Good Luck,
Corey

Cathy,

From the city of Lakewood Web site:

http://www.ci.lakewood.oh.us/pdf/2007_E ... 112007.pdf

no ratings, just contact info, etc.

Cathy,

I agree with Corey that Haynes is fabulous, three of our kids have gone there and it is wonderful. It is a play based program which I think my kids have done well with. Lakewood Presbyterian also has a good program, I have no personal experience with them, but I know several people have sent their children there. Lakewood also has a good preschool program for 4 year olds through the schools. The program was formerly know as Project 123. The program has changed a little bit with the addition of special needs children. The program follows the Lakewood School calender and classes are at Lakewood Elementary schools. Those are the big three in Lakewood and all are fabulous. Also have you joined LECPTA (Lakewood Early Childhood PTA)? If not you really should. Call me if you have any questions.

I give a thumbs-up to Lakewood Presbyterian - our daughter is there now in the 4 yr old class and our son is enrolled for the 3 yrs next fall. We have been very pleased with the program.

My wife and I have so far sent 2 of our children to Lakewood Presbyterian nursery school. Our third is starting next year. The teachers were great and our kids were really prepared for "real" school.

http://lakewoodpreschool.org/default.aspx

Both of our children went to Brownstone Day School. We really like the owner and her philosophy. It has been quite a few years since our children attended. Our baby is graduating from college this year. But I talked with the owners this summer. The program seems to have evolved since our children attended. They now are introducing Spanish and French. This is the time when language is most easily learned. I wish they would have had that when our children were there. I recommend that you tour a wide variety of schools and see where you feel most comfortable.

http://www.brownstonedayschool.com/home/

This is incredibly valuable information. Thanks for all the wonderful advice and information.

Good luck. Lakewood Hospital Child Care Center is a good place. I have used their sercives for a few years, and recomend them. You must register early to get in.

Lakewood Catholic Academy actually offers two preschool options depending upon your needs. The Academy runs a terrific preschool and preK within the dayschool itself. In addition Holy Family Learning Center, which is located in its own building behind and is affiliated with Lakewood Catholic Academy, also runs a first rate preschool (they are actually able to take little ones from 6 weeks to preK). However, Holy Family only does full time, whereas LCA's preschool offers other options. All four of my kids have been at Holy Family at one time or another over the years (my oldest is 22 and my youngest, who is currently in young preschool there, is 3). I have been closely involved with both LCA and HFLC over the years and both are top notch choices. I highly recommend taking tours.

The good news is, Cathy, that it sounds like you have a lot of great options to choose from.

Corey

An informational brochure for Lakewood Early Childhood Program can be viewed by clicking here.

I am told that in order to begin the process that will end with enrollment of a child, you should call the Lakewood Early Childhood Public Preschool office at 216-529-4256. The office will answer any questions that you might have and place your name on our Intent to Register List.

Since this program is funded by a Public Preschool grant, the Lakewood City Schools will not register until April of 2008, once the grant is submitted for the upcoming fiscal year.

I am sure that the Lakewood Early Childhood Public Preschool office will answer any further questions that you may have.

NEWSWEEK has an interesting - and timely - article written by Peg Tyre and entitled, An Argument for Preschool (Jan. 3, 2008). To read this article, click here.

On Brownstone, it sounds like a college-kid age ago it was good but we tried it out a few years ago when we first moved to the area and had some issues with it. Concerns with safety of kids, crowding, teacher's attitudes and so on. Hopefully it got better after we left but as of, oh, 5 years ago it was pretty rough. We had better experiences with St. James daycare/pre-school (after trying one more after Brownstone) and are considering it again for our youngest when she gets a bit older.

Good luck!

We have been very pleased with the Lakewood Preschool Learning Center that is run by the YMCA of Greater Cleveland, and is currently housed at Lakewood United Methodist Church on the corner of Summit & Detroit.
Their 4-day a week Pre-K program definitely prepared my kids for kindergarten. The teachers are fantastic!