[quote author="SoCal78" date=1241504923][quote author="gld42" date=1241500234]We are in a process of selecting preschool. One is Jenny Hart, the other one is Good Shepard. Good Shepard is $100 more every month. in term of Philosophy, I think GSP is pure play oriented, Jenny Hart is play and academic combination ?? ( i might be wrong.) Do anyone can give some comments on those two preschools?</blockquote>
After taking a tour and speaking to the teachers at G.S., my opinion is that it's a hybrid of developmental and academic philosophies. I would recommend visiting the school, meeting the teachers, and get their handouts. They have a lesson plan. For example the day I was there, they were teaching a letter. The children could chose to learn the letter by tracing it on a hand-out at the table, or gluing dried macaroni to the hand-out to form the letter, shaping it out of playdough, or drawing it with chalk on a blackboard, and other various ways so the child can choose how they want to learn. They keep the children on a schedule with various group activities (circle time) and individual activities. One of their sheets addresses what is learned at the school. It says "when planning each month's small group times, GS teachers are required to plan activities that address the following skill areas: fine motor, large motor, Bible activities, science, letter/number exposure, multicultural awareness, safety, sign language, manners, language, woodworking, and gardening."
I visited a few others that said they were self-directed. One I went to, seemed to have little to no cohesiveness so in my mind that is what I would consider pure play oriented. I liked that this school has large tables for kids to sit where they can focus on their work. I saw them engaging in the group activities. I was looking for an academic preschool and chose this one. The only thing I didn't really like is that I think they said they don't send homework home. But I'm just going to pick up some age-appropriate workbooks (you can even get these at the drug store) and I will supplement with those. They are fun to do and educational, also inexpensive. My son will start in a year. I did not tour Jenny Hart because I'm going to be using a half-day program so GS is more reasonable priced for that. I hope this helps. You will be best off visiting and asking lots of questions. I brought along an interview sheet / checklist that helped a great deal. <a href="http://www.babycenter.com/0_preschool-director-teacher-interview-sheet_1450420.bc">Here's the one I used.</a> Print it out and have all your questions ready to go.</blockquote>
Jenny Hart is a dream.
The turnover of staff is minimal. As they say, the fish rots from the head. This fish is fresh. The director is a fabulous woman who has hired great and caring people who are animated, interested,patient, incredibly observant, good communicators. Daily reports of what happened in a general and specific way prove they are paying attention. The thing is THEY CARE about the kids whose care is given over to them. Go and observe. I dare you to find a healthier and more loving and conducive to learning environment.