Looking for a Preschool in Lakewood

We LOVED Patterson Elementary preschool. In fact, we now drive our son way out of the way to take him to Patterson for kindergarten because we were so blown away by the preschool. I started out looking into private preschools, but had Patterson recommended by so many people that I checked it out. It's not too far from the Green Mountain area, either.

They have multiple classes, so you can go by time and/or age.

Good luck, whatever you decide!

C.

My oldest daughter went to Irwin which is part of Jeffco. My youngest daughter is currently going to Concordia which is part of Concordia Lutheran Church. We were very pleased with both.

I think maybe I just wrote a response to your cleaning service request... ??

Anyway... you are at the beginnings of an amazing journey. Finding the "right" school fit for your children is huge. If I had to do it all over again, I would do precisely what I did. Keep them with me as long as I can, (You are they're first teacher.) Then consider seeking something profoundly unique.

Consider checking into one of the area Waldorf schools such as Front Range Waldorf http://www.frontrangewaldorf.org/forms/EarlyChildhoodProg... in Lakewood, or Parzival Shield, (303) 757-510, however... it is located in Denver near DU. Or preK-12 school Denver Waldorf School, located near the Botanic Gardens http://www.denverwaldorf.org/ They're website is a good resource. Both my children attended Parzival Shield for pre-K and K. It was unquestionably the most "right" decision for them. The gentle program allowed them to be children just a little longer... I mean... of course the average child can "learn" to read at age 3... but do they REALLY need that? Especially with all the challenges today, the media, the exposure to electronics, etc... Waldorf conscientiously fosters healthy children, with healthy home-cooked organic snacks, natural wood play area, pastel fabrics, stories, songs, watercolors, nurturing the whole child. It's worth a look. Good luck!!!

Hi - we went through this last summer as well. Our daughter wasn't 3 yet (Nov baby) but we felt like we wanted the social interaction that a preschool has to offer. After considering many preschools (including cost), we enrolled her in the Montessori School of Lakewood (http://montessori-lakewood.org/). She's been attending the school three mornings/week since August and loves it. It's amazing how much she has learned in the last few months. If you like the Montessori style, definitely check this school out.
Good luck!
G.

I'll give you a perspective that you can take or leave. I was born in November and the school cut-off was September, so my parents didn't really have much choice in when to start me; I had to wait another year. However, we moved to California when I was in elementary school and I found myself one of the oldest in my grade because California's cut-off was November. So I grew up always a little more mature than my peers and it worked for me. I don't know if my being a first-born also played into that, but I feel like being one of the oldest kids in my class had advantages. I was extremely shy up through middle school and being younger than my peers might have made things harder for me, but I don't know. On the flip side, a friend of mine growing up had a younger sister who was young for her grade. She ended up being held back by her parents for a second year of ninth grade (she changed schools at that point) because she wasn't quite ready socially or academically for high school. I guess if you start your daughter too soon, you can always hold her back at some point if need be. Good luck making your decision; whatever you choose will work out.

when to go: we waited with both of ours (aug and sept bdays). why make them grow up fast? also, my kids weren't ready socially (they were academically). think about later, too - do you really want your daughter in school w/boys at least a year older when she's in middle/high school? also, if she's going to do any sports, its better to be older than younger. both of my kids are very bright and its made it tough on the preschool and K teachers, but it was the best decision we made. we did stuff at home to keep them challenged. lastly, when we were trying to make this decision, I didn't hear one person say they wished they'd sent their kid sooner but I did hear at least 1/2 of those who sent them young wish they'd waited!

where to go: pick the preschool that's the best fit for your family and daughter, regardless of location. there will likely be only 1 or 2 kids that transition from preK to K together, if that, anyway.

Good luck.