Hello, I live in South Haven so Valporaiso/portage area and am looking to enroll my daughter in pre-scool for the 2009-2010 school year. can any one give me names of pre-schools to look into or avoid. I would like a 1/2 day 5 day a week program and am having a hard time locating one. Most I have seen that are all week are also all day. Any advice would be appreciated as the ones I have spoken with reccomend enrollment within the next month to ensure a spot in the class.
I have heard that Noah's Ark and Little Lamb in Valpo are good. I don't know what they offer in regards to how many days your child will attend. The Valparaiso Library also had Preschool Night back in January, they may have a list of which schools were there that you can look at.
My mom is the head teacher at Hope Lutheran Jr. Kindergarten in Portage (6322 Portage Ave. ####-###-####). They have a great reputation and are reasonably priced ($90/mo.). They offer morning or afternoon classes (9:00-11:30 and 12:00-2:30), but they are only Mon.-Thur. Actually, they are going through graduation next week, so they'll only be in the classroom til next Wednesday. But you can call and leave a message, as they will be checking them at least once a week throughout the summer (I just checked w/ my mom that they do that after school ends).
My siblings and I all went there. It's been around for 36 yrs. or more. And so many people that've grown up in the Portage/S. Haven area remembered that they had a good experience there and in turn are sending their kids all these years later. Good luck to you in your search. Hope this helps.
Chesterton Montessori has preschool 5 days a week from 8:30-11:30 and they offer after care (before and after) from 6am - 6pm (I think those are the times we don't use their after care we just go to class) I LOVE LOVE it! It is a 3-5 year olds working together. They have three morning classrooms. My son went this year and both my children will be attending next year. It is off Burdick Rd (behind SandCreek) I drive from Valpo (15 miles) and feel it is totally worth it! Their phone number is ###-###-####. They have school until May 27th so if you get a chance I would take a tour and see the children working...they have inside and outside "work" environments for all three classrooms. They have a completely open door policy. You can go in and observe anytime you like (as long as another parent isn't already using the observation room) Each room has a two way window and small space to sit and watch.
I have also heard VERY good things about Little Lamb in Valpo. I have several friends that have children there but I do not think it is 5 days. I have not heard good things about Littlest Angels, but don't have personal experience and again, don't think it is 5 day.
I know one of the Valpo Y preschool teachers and she is a really great person. I don't know anything about their program, but if I were still looking, it would be a place I check out just because I know one of the teachers.
Oh, and I know some moms who use Mirror Image (it is a dance school with preschool) those that I have talked to really like it, but I don't know anything more about their program. My daughter takes dance there and LOVE LOVES it!!
GOOD LUCK!!
We have been using the Valpo Y preschool program for awhile and really love it. Also, they are now in the new facility which is really nice. Also nice that the preschool includes one swim lesson per week and one free swim per week. My son really has improved alot in letters, numbers, coloring, etc since starting there. Good luck!
