The Village School was referred to us by dear friends, and it's literally a few blocks from our house. The facility is an unmarked house near East Atlanta Village.
One of the things we loved the most was the community feel. Most of the families here are from the adjacent neighborhoods: EAV, Kirkwood, Edgewood. We really like the idea of getting to know more families in the neighborhood, since our son will be growing up with them over the years. There's something comforting about seeing other parents in Target and Kroger.
The school started as an in-home daycare and has grown into it's own facility. Actually, it's almost bursting at the seams and they have plans in the works to expand to Pre-K. As of now, they only offer an infant & toddler classes (thru age 3ish). This means that we'd soon grow out of it and be in the same predicament all over again. Also really limits that the likelihood of having 2 kids there, unless our kids are very close in age.
The infant room is pretty packed with cribs, and there isn't a ton of room for tummy time on the floor or bouncers. The ladies who work there seem to really love the kids. In fact, our friend who referred us there just adored one of the infant caregivers. She used to spend so much time cuddling with her infant son, and he loved every minute! They wanted to steal her away as a nanny...but not so reasonable since they're moving to Texas.
There's a room for the next age group, and then a third classroom for the oldest kids. Kids advance based on their individual development & the available space versus their birthday. The curriculum is play-based, with regular themes that involve the families too.
The food here is all organic, and served family-style for the toddlers. They also don't toss un-used breast milk each day like some places. They send the leftovers home at the end of the day to the discretion of the parents. Of course, they don't re-feed out of the same bottle during the day because that's against some regulation. The owner just can't bring herself to tossing the "liquid gold" that some women work so hard to get! The kitchen is stocked with Trader Joe's and veggies and such.
They have an intimate playground, but the infants never leave the deck. Unfortunately, it overlooks the dumpster which can't be too appealing on hot summer days.
The application fee is $100. Tuition is $50/day, and they offer full-time & part-time options (M/W/F or T/Th only). Upon acceptance, a $100 Activity fee is due. You also pay for holidays here, even though those days are closed to students.
The reason this place didn't make our shortlist, the hours: 7:30-5:30. They close the doors at 5:30, and if you're late a few times, they'll suggest you find other options. A commute from Perimeter plus a Braves game in town means that would never fly. If they were located downtown or in Midtown, we might be able to make it work. But since they're south of I-20, it'd be nearly impossible.
Their waitlist sounded complicated. She has a whiteboard where she's constantly juggling applicants & availability. Priority goes to enrolled siblings. I wasn't terribly optimistic we'd get a spot when we needed it, though I wasn't terribly discouraged.
Because of the slight cramping, the less-than-ideal outdoor area, the fact we'd be looking for a new place in about 2 years, and the hours, I give them a B. For more childcare center reviews, read on.
More info:
http://thevillageschoolofeastatlanta.com/
1332 Glenwood Avenue SE
Atlanta, GA 30316
Tel: 404-688-3898
Email: info@thevillageschoolofeastatlanta.com
Sunday, November 4, 2012
Sheltering Arms Centennial Park
Our first daycare tour was at Sheltering Arms Centennial Park. There's another location not far from our house, and, well, it's always seemed a bit sketch to me. But some co-workers RAVED about the Centennial Park location, so we thought we'd give it a look.
The Centennial Park location is a model center, with the corporate offices upstairs and the kiddos on the main level. That said, I'm thinking this particular location is held to a higher standard than some of the others you may find. Kinda like how the Moe's near my office is always on top of things...since it's their corporate training location across the street from their HQ.
First impression: Very nice facility with secure entry. The welcoming lobby has a receptionist to buzz in visitors, though parents get a code.
Our tour showed us all the basics, but since this was our first time in a daycare since our own childhoods, I think we were in awe of how far things had come.
They have two infant rooms, each with separate sleeping areas and indoor play areas. The infant rooms also access a private playground. These rooms are shoeless, and the cribs didn't seem like cages at the zoo. They had the nice plexi-glass ends so the babes are always visible. Those who've mastered the flip are indicated with a sign. Crib sheets are provided, and each room has its own mini fridge for bottles, etc.
The wait list here didn't seem outrageous. We visited in August and were told we had good odds of getting a spot the following spring. There wasn't even an application fee, which we've learned is incredibly RARE.
The tuition...get this. Only $180/week. That averages out to $36 per day (based on 20 school days/month). They also have government-assisted tuition that is income-based. I think they said it's as low as $140/week. That being said, the school isn't very diverse, and our child would be the minority. Not a big issue, but I'd prefer a more diverse mix.
Tuition includes all meals, but not organic menu. The kids eat family-style within their classrooms. I was so impressed watching 2 year olds pass a bowl of spaghetti and pour each other a glass of milk!
The curriculum is based on NAEYC principles, and kids advance to the next class based on their age on September something (same as public schools). Their pre-K is state-funded, so absences are limited once the kiddos get to that age. Otherwise, you pay for the week whether you're there full-time or not. The school is NAEYC accredited.
Their hours are very accommodating for working parents. I think drop-off was as early as 7:30 and the doors stayed open until 7 without any ridiculous per-minute overage fee. They could close at 6:30pm, but I can't remember. I just remember it would work for us.
There really isn't any reason I wouldn't send my child here, so I give it an A-. It doesn't have all the bells & whistles we'd love to find, but it also doesn't cost the equivalent of a mortgage or require one of us to work banker's hours. Read how the others stack up.
More info:
http://www.shelteringarmsforkids.com/
404-523-2767
Fax: 404-523-9952
385 Centennial Olympic Park Drive NW, Atlanta 30313-1956
The Centennial Park location is a model center, with the corporate offices upstairs and the kiddos on the main level. That said, I'm thinking this particular location is held to a higher standard than some of the others you may find. Kinda like how the Moe's near my office is always on top of things...since it's their corporate training location across the street from their HQ.
First impression: Very nice facility with secure entry. The welcoming lobby has a receptionist to buzz in visitors, though parents get a code.
Our tour showed us all the basics, but since this was our first time in a daycare since our own childhoods, I think we were in awe of how far things had come.
They have two infant rooms, each with separate sleeping areas and indoor play areas. The infant rooms also access a private playground. These rooms are shoeless, and the cribs didn't seem like cages at the zoo. They had the nice plexi-glass ends so the babes are always visible. Those who've mastered the flip are indicated with a sign. Crib sheets are provided, and each room has its own mini fridge for bottles, etc.
The wait list here didn't seem outrageous. We visited in August and were told we had good odds of getting a spot the following spring. There wasn't even an application fee, which we've learned is incredibly RARE.
The tuition...get this. Only $180/week. That averages out to $36 per day (based on 20 school days/month). They also have government-assisted tuition that is income-based. I think they said it's as low as $140/week. That being said, the school isn't very diverse, and our child would be the minority. Not a big issue, but I'd prefer a more diverse mix.
Tuition includes all meals, but not organic menu. The kids eat family-style within their classrooms. I was so impressed watching 2 year olds pass a bowl of spaghetti and pour each other a glass of milk!
The curriculum is based on NAEYC principles, and kids advance to the next class based on their age on September something (same as public schools). Their pre-K is state-funded, so absences are limited once the kiddos get to that age. Otherwise, you pay for the week whether you're there full-time or not. The school is NAEYC accredited.
Their hours are very accommodating for working parents. I think drop-off was as early as 7:30 and the doors stayed open until 7 without any ridiculous per-minute overage fee. They could close at 6:30pm, but I can't remember. I just remember it would work for us.
There really isn't any reason I wouldn't send my child here, so I give it an A-. It doesn't have all the bells & whistles we'd love to find, but it also doesn't cost the equivalent of a mortgage or require one of us to work banker's hours. Read how the others stack up.
More info:
http://www.shelteringarmsforkids.com/
404-523-2767
Fax: 404-523-9952
385 Centennial Olympic Park Drive NW, Atlanta 30313-1956
Saturday, November 3, 2012
The search for infant care in Atlanta
So, as you know, we're expecting a little grasshopper in February. It's our first bambino, so we're learning all the ins + outs of parent-to-be-hood.
Since we both work full-time, and I have every intention of returning to my job once maternity leave comes to an end, a childcare option is imperative. From what we've heard, it's pretty competitive in-town Atlanta, so we wanted to get a jumpstart.
Here we are, about to enter the third trimester, without a strong feel-good feeling about who will be watching this little fella in six months.
Let me say this, though. We are INCREDIBLY blessed to have J's parents live nearby in Lilburn. And J's mom, Lolli, has offered to watch the little nugget. Though it may not be convenient, it's great to have an option. Asking a family member to babysit your infant for 8-9 hours a day, 5 days a week is a HUGE obligation...so we're figuring out our options. I cannot imagine the stress level other new parents must have without this sort of back-up plan. I've been incredibly and endlessly frustrated by thechildcare options lack of reasonable infant care options in this city.
Our wishlist of childcare providers, in no particular order:
(I plan to keep this updated as we visit more schools...click on the links for full reviews). This list is in the order we visit, not preference, rating, etc.
Sheltering Arms Centennial Park:A-
Pros: Location, TUITION COST!!!, strong accreditation, experienced staff, clean & well-kept facility, hours
Cons: Diversity (lack thereof), very corporate
The Village School in East Atlanta: B
Pros: Location (literally, a few blocks away from home), intimacy of classes, community feel, organic menu
Cons: Hours, only goes thru 3yrs (though plans for expansion), outgrowing facility quickly
Bright Horizons at All Saints in Midtown: B
Pros: Very strong reputation, convenient location, great facility, private Pre-K on-site, diverse classes
Cons: Very corporate, tuition
Kids Kondo in Virginia Highlands: C-
Pros: Community feel
Cons: Lack of facility upkeep, chipping paint, chaotic classrooms
Urban Explorers in Grant Park: A+
Pros: Community feel, intimacy of classes, reasonable hours (if paying for after-care)
Cons: No food provided, limited admissions, tuition (after-care adds up)
Frazer Center: A (added 12/5/12)
Pros: Inclusive experience for the kids (up to 30% of each class may have some developmental disability), lots of creative outlets (dance, art, etc), great facility, reasonable hours, pre-K on-site
Cons: Chaotic (maybe just the day we visited), couldn't get a feel of the security between the Adult Care facility and Child Care side
Since we both work full-time, and I have every intention of returning to my job once maternity leave comes to an end, a childcare option is imperative. From what we've heard, it's pretty competitive in-town Atlanta, so we wanted to get a jumpstart.
Here we are, about to enter the third trimester, without a strong feel-good feeling about who will be watching this little fella in six months.
Let me say this, though. We are INCREDIBLY blessed to have J's parents live nearby in Lilburn. And J's mom, Lolli, has offered to watch the little nugget. Though it may not be convenient, it's great to have an option. Asking a family member to babysit your infant for 8-9 hours a day, 5 days a week is a HUGE obligation...so we're figuring out our options. I cannot imagine the stress level other new parents must have without this sort of back-up plan. I've been incredibly and endlessly frustrated by the
Our wishlist of childcare providers, in no particular order:
- More convenient to our house than our offices. My office has several nearby daycares, but that's WAYYYYY out of the way (near Perimeter Mall) for J. We expect to share the pick-up/drop-off duties, and that would be a haul for J on days when I travel, am sick, or am working from home. J works in downtown/midtown near Coca-Cola. Ideal location is an in-town neighorhood (Kirkwood, Inman Park, Candler Park, O4W, possibly East Atlanta Village, Grant Park, or Virginia Highlands), downtown, or midtown (as long as it's easy-access from the Interstate in rush hour).
- Working parent hours. Drop-off between 7:30-8:30, pick up between 5:30-6:30. With traffic in Atlanta, shutting the doors at 5pm seems so impractical.
- Solid accreditation & reputation.
- A blend of a corporate feel & in-home care. An intimate environment, where the staff has been around a while and genuinely love to love on the kiddos.
- Bonus would include organic milk (if not full menu), creative curriculum, lots of adventuring outdoors, and the option to stay in the same facility thru Pre-K.
- Oh, and not cost an arm & a leg.
(I plan to keep this updated as we visit more schools...click on the links for full reviews). This list is in the order we visit, not preference, rating, etc.
Sheltering Arms Centennial Park:A-
Pros: Location, TUITION COST!!!, strong accreditation, experienced staff, clean & well-kept facility, hours
Cons: Diversity (lack thereof), very corporate
The Village School in East Atlanta: B
Pros: Location (literally, a few blocks away from home), intimacy of classes, community feel, organic menu
Cons: Hours, only goes thru 3yrs (though plans for expansion), outgrowing facility quickly
Bright Horizons at All Saints in Midtown: B
Pros: Very strong reputation, convenient location, great facility, private Pre-K on-site, diverse classes
Cons: Very corporate, tuition
Kids Kondo in Virginia Highlands: C-
Pros: Community feel
Cons: Lack of facility upkeep, chipping paint, chaotic classrooms
Urban Explorers in Grant Park: A+
Pros: Community feel, intimacy of classes, reasonable hours (if paying for after-care)
Cons: No food provided, limited admissions, tuition (after-care adds up)
Frazer Center: A (added 12/5/12)
Pros: Inclusive experience for the kids (up to 30% of each class may have some developmental disability), lots of creative outlets (dance, art, etc), great facility, reasonable hours, pre-K on-site
Cons: Chaotic (maybe just the day we visited), couldn't get a feel of the security between the Adult Care facility and Child Care side
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