Underwhelmed by Early Childhood Education Programs

[Anonymous]

Our 3 year old has a late birthday so we missed the cut off for PK3 last year. I really wanted a full-time program so I toured a bunch of private schools and found one that we love (but it's a horrid commute and super expensive). We're in the PK3 lottery this year and I've been really impressed with the upper grades in many schools but super underwhelmed by the early childhood education programs. A lot of the DCPS/Charter PK programs feel a lot more like a daycare and less like a good early childhood education program. One difference for example, is having various stations set up in the room so kids can do different activities, dramatic play or building or sensory. Those seemed standard at a lot of good preschools I visited last year but the HRCS/DCPS preschools didn't really have that hands on feel.

I admit that one difference is that on our tours I'm not really getting the opportunity to speak with the teachers so I'm just getting a super brief snippet of the day, but the same could be true for the preschools I visited last year. I'm starting to wonder if HRCS/DCPS preschools just don't "get" early childhood education (but seem great at the older years).

I realize its not worth super stressing over since our chances of getting into anything are super slim, and I "would" just stay where we are except that the maxim is that you gotta get your kid into the PK3 program or your chances are screwed in the later years.

Thoughts from BTDT parents of older kids?

[Anonymous]

My experience of PK3 and 4 is that my child has received a good, well rounded education. They have center time a couple times a day, plus specials, circle time when the teacher teaches, recess, lunch, rest time. What are you looking for that you're not seeing?

[Anonymous]

Same as 20:06 and with multiple children and a blended family I have experience with three different PK3 programs.

OP, this won't help with finding a school long-term, but you might be happiest with one of the Appletree schools.

[Anonymous]

I think OP is more interested in a play-based program.

OP, honestly just focus on a school you want to be in long-term, unless you are planning to move anyways. Think about feeder pattern for DCPS, etc.

[Anonymous]

I'm also new to DCPS, but even I've heard that early childhood ed. is one area that DC seems to do very well.

Last year we toured privates, DCPS, and HRCS, and felt that many of them seem to be doing the same stuff at the PK3/pre-primary level (e.g., circle time, centers time, social skills). Because they all seemed so similar, we decided to forego private for now and try DCPS.

My child is in a PK3 DCPS program and it's actually awesome so far. The class is set up as stations that look really fun. She also has drama in aftercare. We're hoping to keep her here as long as we can (hopefully through 5th).

I'm sure there may be some ECE programs that are less than stellar, but from what I've seen on this board, many people are happy with the PK level even when the upper grades are less popular.

[Anonymous]

Sounds like you should look at ITS or CMI which seem to be the model you are looking for.

[Anonymous]

That's interesting. Seems like every school I've toured has centers.

[Anonymous]

I feel the exact opposite--DCPS and charters by and large do great with play-based early childhood programs but do not do well in the upper grades.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:That's interesting. Seems like every school I've toured has centers.

+1

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:That's interesting. Seems like every school I've toured has centers.

+1

That's my experience too. Kids love the centers.

[Anonymous]

Shepherd has centers.

[Anonymous]

My child is in PreK3 at a DCPS school that uses Tools of the Mind, where the children "plan" their play. The dramatic play takes place in centers structured around 6 week thematic units. For example, one unit might be the supermarket and the kids choose from centers like the Deli, the Bakery, the Loading Dock etc. My child is having a blast. I think most of the DCPS early childhood programs use either Tools of the Mind or the Creative Curriculum, which are both play-based.

[Anonymous]

Same here. OP, I wonder where you went and what you saw. In fact, some complain there is too much play and too many stations at this point, and not enough sitting in chairs and tracing letters. Now, of course what you see the kids doing at any point in time really depends on the schedule. You may see them seated for morning circle or having a read-aloud, or in chairs on a common activity, or napping etc.
Or is that what you were bemoaning, that it does indeed look more like a nursery school? In that case, I'd say don't deplore that. Sitting in chairs tracing letters and writing numbers isn't teaching them much, nothing they can't more effectively learn when they're ready, but it stifles all the other development that takes place at this age and that is so fundamental to learning.

[Anonymous]

Look a AppleTree, it's exactly what you describe and hands down the best early childhood education in the city (if not the country).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I feel the exact opposite--DCPS and charters by and large do great with play-based early childhood programs but do not do well in the upper grades.

OP sounds like you have it mixed up. By far, DCPS abs charters do very well in Early Ed especially in areas you describe. It's starting around 1st is when you start to see the great mix up by folk that are looking for more rigorous programs.