If you chose Children in the Shoe E/W Highway

[Anonymous]

What convinced you? Trying to decide between there and another center.

[Anonymous]

Our daughter has been there since 3 months (she is almost 2), and given what I read about everywhere else AND the other places I visited, they are premier.

They take time to talk with you. The kids are happy. Nothing is so strict that your child is negatively affected--she is allowed to have her lovey, they don't impose potty training requirements. Every teacher know every child's name. They have multiple enrichment opportunities.

When I visited at first I remember being a bit turned off by the playgrounds. But now I LOVE them. They can be outside no matter the weather!

Honestly, I've been thinking of moving her to a different school for when she turns 3, and when I read the negative comments about every otehr school, I ask myself WHY! couldnt' recommend them enough.

[Anonymous]

BTW, please feel free to message me if you have specific questions: [e-mail]

[Anonymous]

My DS has been there since he was 14 months and he is 4 now. We have had a great experience. The teachers are very affectionate, caring and flexible. The administration is great, we have never had a problem with them and they are always responsive. My DS has made some really great friends and we have gotten close with a couple of their parents for playdates and sports. The classroom he is in now does a great job of trying to prepare the kids for kindergarten and the teacher is a gem. I think no place is perfect, but we really feel a part of a community there and have been very happy.

[Anonymous]

I did move from Children in the Shoe to another center simply for academics and quality.The other center is Montessori certified and MSDE approved. If my child goes to a certified center the Teacher qualification is higher and so is everything else. Thats where we are and its like black and white the difference. We are happy and so is our DD.
The playground too is outside and they do take trips on the trail daily and to the park for nature walks etc.
I cannot say Children in the Shoe is not good but they are different it all boils down to personal choice and ones preference over the other.If you stick to one place you would not know better.!

[Anonymous]

I had my kids at the E-W Shoe and had a great experience. To answer your question, there were a few families who had switched from BCC to EW and they said that EW was much better run. Hope that helps!

[Anonymous]

Our DD has been there since she was 5mo, she's now 2, so we've been in 3 different rooms. I echo the prior posters about the loving teachers, great outdoor time, homey feel, etc. Our DD is happy at drop-off in the mornings, I get great feedback on her day, the few questions I've had for the director get answered promptly over e-mail or by phone, and her teachers from her prior rooms still stop by to check on her/say hello during the week when they're going by. We feel that she is loved and nurtured and we've been very happy there.

[Anonymous]

Just curious to know what you pay per week and what the daily hours are?

[Anonymous]

NP here - my almost 3-year-old has been at the Shoe since he was 6 months old and his older sibling for years before that. The center is VERY efficiently run and the teachers are patient, warm and caring and communicate effectively with parents. Many of them have been there for YEARS - turnover is very low. PP is right about the playgrounds, too - I wasn't crazy about all the concrete but it means the kids go outside no matter what, which is wonderful for the kids and almost as good for the teachers - I as a mom am much less patient on cabin-fever type days at home. Hours are 7:30 to 6:30. We pay $355/week for full-time, but that is for the 3-year-old room - infant and toddler rooms are going to be more expensive. It is absolutely worth it in my opinion. The center is also NAEYC-accredited.

[Anonymous]

Holy crap. Not to hijack but have to comment. DS has been at BCC Shoe for a year and we are thrilled. He thrives there. If EW is "better run" then wow, just wow. Wouldn't consider moving though.

[Anonymous]

Do you feel the curriculum for the older kids sufficiently prepares them for kindergarten?

[Anonymous]

To the PP, the answer is yes. My DD went there and was very well prepared for Kindergarten. Parents of her friends all say the same.