Summer Daycamps/preschools in Pgh South Hills

Hi L.,
How about a MOPS group? (Mothers of Preschoolers) That allows the kids to interact under someone else's authority, and gives the moms a chance to relax, talk and have some fun! A wonderful group meets at Beverly Heights Church in Mt. Lebanon on Tuesday mornings twice a month from Sept - May, and there are other groups around the area if that one does not work for you. I realize this is not a summer option, but it is probably a less risky environment for your little guy (you can join at any time, in your case once you feel peak illness time is over) - and also an opportunity for your younger child. They have great standards about not bringing kids when they are sick, and all the folks there are awesome :-) It would also give you the opportunity to meet some other moms with similar aged kids so you could later arrange some play dates for the summer, if you want to give him "kid time" without the formality (and risk) of a group environment. I can give the email of the person in charge if you are interested. I would caution you that, although I know this is not everyone's experience, my 3 yo nephew is in daycare and has been sick with something just about all the time since he started, going from one bug or cold to the next with rarely more than a week or two between them. Also - do your son's doctors at Children's have any recommendations? I think I remember seeing a preschool-type program advertised for kids with serious/chronic illnesses that addresses these issues really well... Good luck in your search!

L.,
I can highly recommend the Beth El Nursery School camp, just off Cochran Rd on the border of Mt. Lebanon and Scott Township. My 3-yr-old goes to school there, as did my 5-yr-old, and the staff are very flexible and caring and cater well to special needs. There aren't usually too many kids (but enough) and they spend a lot of time outside in a variety of play areas with plenty of activities. My daughter loved it. My son will be there with his TSS, as will a couple other kids, I imagine. Oh, and during the school year in the classrooms, the staff are strict about handwashing, sneezing into your elbow, peanut-free lunches, etc.

Good luck!

You may be interested in A Child's Way so that he can get some experience with other children in a preschool setting before kindergarten:
http://www.childrenshomepgh.org/childs-way

L., Hello L., you are the one that sent me the email to join this (sure you were at one of my PR parties) Anyway.... I used to be a preschool teacher and I can tell you that if you are upfront with the staff, they will be more than willing to work with you. Visit your local preschools and be honest with them about your situation. We had a child with a life threatening peanut allergy and we took it very seriously. If one of the children came to school w/ a peanut butter sandwich that day, well, we through it away (yep, his parents should have known better). In my opinion, the preschool you choose should send a letter to each parent explaining to them that one of the children (make it annonomous) has an illness and they CANNOT send the child to school if they are ill (which they shouldn't do anyway ~ if would be in an elem. school, they would be sent home). They should take 5 minutes before and after school to spray the room down with Lysol, especially the toys and tables. Let them know that this is what you would expect and either they will do it or you can look for another preschool. Good luck and hope my advise helps in some way.

The Jewish Community Center has a great program for the summer and preschool. We send our 3 yo to the JCC in Squirrel HIll and she loves it. They swim twice a week and have other activities too. Check it out. You do not need to be Jewish to attend. i think the website is www.jccpgh.org or .com
Good Luck!