My youngest daughter(Emma) will turn 4 in October of this year. She misses the cut off for VPK by a couple of weeks, so I am looking for some referrals on low cost or no cost programs in the Orlando area. We moved here from Tampa in June/07, but before we moved I put her on a waiting list with a local high school that did child care education for the students. The program offered 3 & 4 year olds that were potty-trained a chance to get associated with other children and learn something at the same time. Recently I got a call to let me know she was accepted, I was soooo upset.
That's the type of program I am looking for. She is starting to get bored at home and really would benefit from a program a few hours a week: I would too!!!!
Even if someone knows a good Gym program that is affordable, I would love for her to do something like that too.
Thanks to you all for the great responses. Emma and I will be checking into the programs at Boone High and Apopka High this coming week, they both have spots that they offered to her. So excited.
I don't know what part of orlando you live in but I live in Metrowest near Universal Studios and I send my daughter to Lila Mitchell Community Center for VPK. It was free to me because of my income situation. She loves it there. The teachers and staff are excellent people and they are very caring. I'll give the you the phone number in case you are interested. It's ###-###-####. Good luck in your search.
Hi M.-Boone High School has a program called Tee Pee Tots that you might want to check into. I know of it as I hae a son who is a student there now, and my older son graduated in 2004. It is a great school. There number is ###-###-####. Their website is www.boonebraves.com
Hope this is helpful.
I work at the JCC south, but there is a campus in Maitland that is supposed to be great.
I am not sure which part of Orlando you are in but Boone High School offers this. I am sure there are other high schools around but you will have to call and check
Hi M.! I would recommend The Parenting Experience - a preschool co-op in Orlando. It is very affordable - only about $25.00 per week. Your daughter would be able to go to school from 9:30 - 12:30 Monday, Tues, Thurs, Fri. It is an awesome hands-on learning program where the parents are also actively involved. The website is www.theparentingexperience.com. Please contact me if you have any questions!
T.
Good Morning M.,
What area of Orlando do you live near? I live out in East Orlando near Waterford Lakes and Union Park. There is a pre-k called Downey Christian Preschool off of East Colonial Drive by Dean Road that is wonderful! My oldest daughter use to attend there pre-k program and she loved it!
They are also opening a Metro 24/7 gym at the corner of Alafaya Trail and East Colonial Drive. They have a sign up advertising low monthly rates of $28, I believe.
Good Luck,
J. W
I'm not positive this is the idea you are seeking. But, recently, I joined the YMCA for two reasons: my weight loss & my son (3) needed regular interaction with other kids in the a.m. They offer art classes & gymjam activites at different times. Also, for 92 dollars a month (family) plan -- you cannot beat the deal......2 hours a day FREE daycare while you workout or I've seen women just reading at a table or catch up on bill paying.
You have to speak to the daycare teacher to see what special events they have for signup -- because if you don't sign up, then your child just stays in the "main" area. The main area is filled with toys, sometimes coloring activites, playdoe & they go outside on the playground in good weather. Our VPK school of choice didn't have any openings until August, so I thought this would be good until then. My son is a fall baby -- so he'll have two years of "preschool" before kindergarten. Takes my worry away that he'll be "behind."
Just an idea for you.
Check out the YMCA's of course -- they may differ.
I attend Oviedo or Winter Park. (I think W.P. might do more "activites" and less free play -- but you'd have to really check it out yourself.) But once you join one YMCA -- you could go to whichever one is your favorite & the childcare provider you like the best.
Some of the local high schools do the same thing here. If you live in the Apopka area, I know for a fact that Apopka High does have a program for pre-K. I'd check around at the the web-site of your local high school and then make some phone calls. Good luck.
M., I don't know what part of Orlando you live in, but I would highly recommend the Winter Park Day Nursery. My granddaughter graduated from VPK in May and is doing well in kindergarten. My grandson still goes there and is doing great. Their VPK program is free and because they are not-for-profit the daycare fees are based on your income. The staff are the absolute best!!! The phone number is ###-###-####. The only downside is they only have daycare up to 5 years and don't provide any transportation. Hope this helps.
My son goes to First Friends, but they are in the Waterford Lakes area. Not sure if they have others around. IT's a free program and they have 2 classes in the morning and 2 in the afternoon.
