Pre-school Research

There was no doubt in my mind we were doing co-op, I went myself when I was little, I couldn't bear the thought of dropping my little one off and not staying sometimes, the parent education helps a lot, I like being involved in what my child is learning, and the social aspect is phenomenal! I work full time plus and have a flex schedule too so it works. All there is to do is your one work day, a parent meeting, a small classroom job once a week at most, and at ours a monthly field trip and a quarterly classroom cleaning. I'm on the board so have no cleanings, no classroom job, and one extra meeting a month. If you don't choose co-op I can highly recommend Bella Mente Early Learning Academy in west Seattle, the owner was my roommate before I got married and she is fantastic. And little pilgrims in west Seattle is great too. Good luck, it's a big decision! A lot of schools have enrollmen and open houses this month so set up some tours!

When choosing a preschool go with your gut. If it feels good the people and place--it is really important. (I am an ex first grade teacher) I like Montessori schools for 5 year olds and co-op preschools for the youngest.

Hi K. :) I have experienced all kinds of preschools with my two kids (seven and four), but have to say I am most happy with the coop preschool my daughter is enjoying this year. There are several moms in her class who do work full time and they flex their schedules to be in the classroom one time per week (two and a half hours at a time). There are committees that go along with the coop school, but some are quite easily adapted to the full time working mom. It makes a huge difference to be in the class with my daughter as it emphasizes how important school is to me. There are days when I miss the "drop and go" system of other kinds of preschools, but that's not very often. I have also made some great friendships for myself at this coop school. Moms with similar aged kids who work together make for good friends :) Our Inglemoor Coop Preschool is in the Finn Hill area of Kirkland. My son attended Samena preschool in Bellevue a few years ago and he loved it. They have half hour swimming lessons every day at the end of the school time (four days a week for pre-k aged kids). I started my search for preschools online and if you are specific to an area you may have better results. Also, you could call your neighborhood elementary school and ask the secretary. They are great sources of info for all kinds of kid related things. Hope this helps!
T.

I don't know of any preschools in the Kirkland area since I take mine over the bridge to Cap Hill for her preschool. :) However, for me co-op preschool was awful. I have a feeling it depends a lot on the co-op involved, but the one I was at you had to work one day a week (out of the three she attended) and bring snacks once a month and attend clean ups and fundraising. Mostly though, my problem is that I work and it ended up being WAY too much work for me to juggle with my work schedule. I now have her at an incredible little preschool with teachers I adore and trust.

Since you do work I would be very strict about scheduling and check in with other parents about how organized the school is. The one we went to was not organized at all and it was really frustrating for a working mom but I have a feeling that co-ops also really vary from school to school.

Good luck.