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Parent Answers to "What preschool do you think is great in Palo Alto? Why?"
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My daughter went to Heffalump in addition to short stints at a Montessori-type school in Redwood City, and summer programs at Escondido Village Rainbow School and the highly rated, sought-after Bing Nursery School (all between 1998 and 2000). She loved Heffalump FAR above the others! At the time I thought maybe I should try something more "academic" than Heffalump, but was most severely disappointed by Bing. She preferred Rainbow to Bing because she bonded with the two staff members instead of sitting on the laps of any one of the 20 or so charming psych interns at Bing. Bing was not at all accommodating to my wanting more hours for her in the beginning. It was only after they discovered what a lovely research subject she was (and we'd decided to send her back to Heffalump after the summer trial) that they started offering us more hours! My impression was that they were trying to maximize their research subjects more than provide a quality experience for the children. She loved the freedom and warmth at Heffalump, and I discovered it was more structured and stimulating than it first appeared to me. I agree with everything said by logansmum above!
Heffalump Co-op Preschool!
... The wonderful parent co-op my 3 year old son attends. The school is over 35 years old and has remained a small, warm, play based environment - a rare find nowadays. It attracts a lovely mix of families from many cultures. My son is currently one among thirteen children, and the school can accommodate a few more (up to seventeen, I believe). Two wonderful full-time teachers are supported by one parent or caregiver on any given day. Each family works one day per *month* per child enrolled and there are only occasional mandatory evening meetings! Yes, this is really a "lite" version of a co-op, but has all the benefits of parent participation - you get to know all the children and families intimately and walk away completely worry-free when you drop your child off there. Younger or older siblings are always welcome to tag along on parent work days. A healthy snack is provided each day and kids bring a packed lunch which is cheerfully warmed up if necessary. They do not "alphabeat" kids: there is no overt academic component. However, you can't match their amount of daily reading, singing and creative play at home or in any structured preschool. The school occupies one large, cheerful room in the PACCC building on Ventura Court, with a beloved play loft, kitchenette and two kid sized toilets and sinks in a walled off area within the room. It is stuffed full of toys and art supplies that are skillfully used, not just displayed. The play area outside is huge, with slides, swings, teeter-totters, etc., and trikes and sand toys that get a lot of use. They go on wonderful field trips each month. The teachers help out with potty training and learning to wash hands properly. Children wash their hands on arrival and before snack and meal-time, and I believe this protects them all from the constant cold epidemics in other preschools. The day is 9am-2pm (no early or after care, though). Kids can attend 2 to 5 days a week. Visit www.heffalump-preschool.com ... give the school a call ... stop by and visit ... you'll be hooked.
... The wonderful parent co-op my 3 year old son attends. The school is over 35 years old and has remained a small, warm, play based environment - a rare find nowadays. It attracts a lovely mix of families from many cultures. My son is currently one among thirteen children, and the school can accommodate a few more (up to seventeen, I believe). Two wonderful full-time teachers are supported by one parent or caregiver on any given day. Each family works one day per *month* per child enrolled and there are only occasional mandatory evening meetings! Yes, this is really a "lite" version of a co-op, but has all the benefits of parent participation - you get to know all the children and families intimately and walk away completely worry-free when you drop your child off there. Younger or older siblings are always welcome to tag along on parent work days. A healthy snack is provided each day and kids bring a packed lunch which is cheerfully warmed up if necessary. They do not "alphabeat" kids: there is no overt academic component. However, you can't match their amount of daily reading, singing and creative play at home or in any structured preschool. The school occupies one large, cheerful room in the PACCC building on Ventura Court, with a beloved play loft, kitchenette and two kid sized toilets and sinks in a walled off area within the room. It is stuffed full of toys and art supplies that are skillfully used, not just displayed. The play area outside is huge, with slides, swings, teeter-totters, etc., and trikes and sand toys that get a lot of use. They go on wonderful field trips each month. The teachers help out with potty training and learning to wash hands properly. Children wash their hands on arrival and before snack and meal-time, and I believe this protects them all from the constant cold epidemics in other preschools. The day is 9am-2pm (no early or after care, though). Kids can attend 2 to 5 days a week. Visit www.heffalump-preschool.com ... give the school a call ... stop by and visit ... you'll be hooked.
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