Featured Homes
- 19440 East Mann Creek
- 8788 E. Mad River Rd in Parker
- 20949 Woodside Lane, Parker CO
- 4054 S. Atchison Way, Aurora, CO
- 4056 S. Atchison Way, Aurora, CO
- 37963 County Road 17, Elizabeth, CO 80107
- 4896 South Dudley Street, Denver Colorado 80123
- 10427 Longleaf Drive, Parker CO 80134
- 15896 Quarry Hill Drive, Parker CO 80134
- 7995 S. Roslyn Way, Centennial, CO 80112
- 1067 Ridge Oaks Drive, Castle Rock, CO
- 9674 Deerhorn Court in Parker
- 5055 Miriam Lane, Parker CO 80134
- 41456 Farmhouse Circle, Parker CO
- 6251 Westview Circle in Parker
- 10668 Stone Creek Ct. Parker CO 80134
Helpful Parker CO Links
Short Sales Info
Neighborhoods
- Highlands Ranch Homes
- Castle Rock Homes
- Horse Creek
- Lone Tree Colorado Homes
- Meridian Village
- Newlin Meadows
- Pradera
- Stonegate
- The Timbers
Local Resources
Videos
Categories
- Fun Things to Do
- Colorado Short Sales
- Homes for Sale
- Just Cool Photos
- Real Estate Answers
- Real Estate Stats
- Rental Homes
Archives
- February 2012 (5)
- January 2012 (20)
- December 2011 (3)
- November 2011 (11)
- October 2011 (9)
- September 2011 (3)
- August 2011 (3)
- April 2011 (6)
- March 2011 (7)
- February 2011 (2)
- January 2011 (11)
- December 2010 (3)
- November 2010 (11)
- October 2010 (24)
- September 2010 (5)
- August 2010 (5)
- July 2010 (7)
- June 2010 (9)
- May 2010 (5)
- April 2010 (17)
- March 2010 (5)
- February 2010 (13)
- January 2010 (13)
- December 2009 (5)
- November 2009 (30)
- October 2009 (31)
- September 2009 (36)
- August 2009 (21)
- July 2009 (9)
- June 2009 (16)
- May 2009 (12)
- April 2009 (2)
Douglas County Working Parents and Top Pre Schools Options Limited
Jan 21st 11
School Kids
Parker Parent Looking for the TOTAL Package in a School!
Please comment below if you have an opinion on this subject and I am certainly open for advice and other good options if you have a system that is working for your family. Please let me know. I would love to pass on the information. I don’t think there is a right or wrong answer to this problem it would be whatever works best for you and your family.
If you are a working family that does not have a Mom or Dad that stays home you may be in for a rude awakening when you go to enroll you kids into top pre school and kindergarten programs in Douglas County Colorado. I’m not only talking about Douglas County Schools but also privately owned schools and faith based schools.
Fact: Did you know Douglas County Schools is now the 3rd largest school system in the State of Colorado?
Opinion: I would also argue that it is also probably one of the wealthiest as well. Douglas County has a large tax base of high income earners.
What I have found personally and through many conversations with other parents is that we are blessed to have many great choices for schools and pre-schools.
The Problem:
Many of the great pre-school and kindergarten programs that we have found are very limited in offering only very short programs and many don’t offer 5 day a week classes.
We recently found a top local school that offers 2 or 3 day a week pre-school programs from 8:30 to 11:45 or 12:45 to 3:30. So if you work how could you possibly manage that? No 5 day a week program. No possible way to only send your kid or kids to school for only 3 hours a day 2-3 days a week. It’s a system that caters to the stay at home Mom or Dad. It’s unfair. To their credit they told us that if there was enough interest they “might” consider offering full day. Well I know a lot of parents that are interested.
We also have great schools that offer 5 day programs but close at 3:00 sharp. So drop off is 8-8:45 and pick up is 3:00. School is from basically 9:00 to 1:00 or 2:00 depending on the age of the student so you pay extra for after care from 1:00 or 2:00 until they close at 3:00.
My question is how many companies let you off at 2:30 so you can go pick up your kids and take them home for the day?
Options:
There are day cares that will come pick up your kids and bus them to their site for an afternoon session. I know a lot of people that do that and it seems to work for them but many express sadness in having to have their kids carted around during the day.
I also know that here in Parker there is a place specifically setup for after school care, drop off and recreation activities. I don’t know a lot about it but when we priced it out it was very expensive. Add that to already expensive pre-school and kindergarten.
We have now hired a Nanny to pick up our kids, bring them home and take care of them from 3:00 to 5:00. It works! I can feel comfortable knowing that they are home safe and sound. Some people cannot do this and I know we are lucky to be able to have this option. So, what do people do that are not as fortunate? They are stuck sending their kids to schools that may not be as good or may not be the type of school they want for their kids.
I do know that many of the neighborhood PUBLIC schools offer after school “Enrichment” programs at the kindergarten level. It seems to me that there is about a 50/50 split with parents on this option. Some feel their kids get super bored in these programs since class time ends around lunch and the kids sit around a play most of the afternoon. I hear some even have video games in the classes for the kids to play during the “a. I’m not sure I want my kids playing video games at school to keep them entertained until I pick them up.
Expense:
Two years ago we were paying $26,000 a year for two kids to go to school. Ages 4 & 2. My neighbor has a child at CSU and he was shocked at what we were paying but I told him I was happy to pay it if it provided what our family needed and at the time it was a SUPER fit for our kids. There are many families in Parker and Douglas County that feel the same way. I hear the discussions at sports practices, gymnastics etc…
Solution:
The best possible solution would be to have top ranked schools offer full day & week programs so all of us could participate. If you offer a great service people will use it. I for one would be happy to pay for such a service and I know a lot of people that feel the same way.
The one group that I have not mentioned:
The single parent! GOD I do not know how you guys do it. I praise you 1000 times because I could not imagine raising children all on my own. Neither could my wife. It’s beyond my comprehension how you work, pay the bills, and shuttle kids around with only YOU. I admire you for what you are doing.
Good Schools that you may want to consider.
Cozy Pine Montessori
Parker Landing
Parker Montessori
Core Knowledge
North Star
What do you think? Leave a comment below. Like I said I’m looking for options not just for my family but for our friends and neighbors too. If you don’t want to leave a comment call me 303-941-4663 Steven Beam
My next article will be about waiting lists at these schools and why do we have to have waiting lists? Why can’t all the schools be this good?
Be a Voyeur in Your Neighborhood
Parker Montessori 2010-2011 Re-Enrollment Meeting Thrsday Jan 28th @ 9AM.
Jan 26th 10
Learning at Parker Montesori School
Parker Montessori is having a re-enrollment meeting Thursday January 28, 2010 @ 9:00AM.
This is a fantastic opportunity to get you children started off with the tools necessary to succeed in life. Parker Montessori Educational Institute has been a fixture in the Parker community for many years and provides top notch TRUE Montessori classrooms and activities with real Montessori trained and certified teachers.
New moms! PMEI or Parker Montessori Educational Institute is now enrolling toddlers into their new class. PMEI is offering a wide range of flexible schedules to meet your needs. This schedule includes year round or 12 month class schedules. I urge you to take advantage of this opportunity as the spots are limited and filling up quickly.
Undecided? Come to the meeting and have your questions answered or call and talk to the director and ask for a tour.
- Parker Montessori will be having our re-enrollment meeting for the 2010-2011 school year on Thursday, January 28th at 9:00am.
- Our teachers will be presenting information about our Toddler, Pre-Primary, Primary and Kindergarten programs.
- We welcome you to invite any interested family and friends as well.
“Please call with any questions and RSVP so we can get an accurate count of who will attend. Our telephone number is 303-841-4325 or you can email us at [email protected].”
There will also be an evening meeting on February 2, at 5:30 pm with our Director Martha Sill if you cannot attend on the 28th.
Parker Montessori Opens New Toddler Class!
Nov 30th 09
Parker Montessori School
Looking for day care or child care in Parker Colorado? Montessori School may be a great solution to your child’s needs. Do you have a child 18 months to 2.5 years old that you want to enroll for Montessori School? Parker Montessori Educational Institute is now taking applications for the new Toddler Class.I believe Montessori is a great alternative to standard day care. Children of different ages interact in a classroom setting with generally self directed activities.
Our son has been attending this school for almost three years and we have enjoyed watching him learn, grow and mature with his fellow students at Parker Montessori. He loves it there and we feel like he is receiving excellent instruction and care from the staff.
If you have additional questions please call the school at the number listed below or email.
Class Schedule:
- Morning: 3 Half-Days (Monday/Wednesday/Friday) 8:45 – 11:45 am
- Morning : 2 Half-Days (Tuesday & Thursday) 8:45 – 11:45 am
- Half Day: 5 Half-Days 8:45 – 11:45 am
- Full Day: 5 Full-Days 8:45 am – 3:10 pm
Parker Montessori Educational Institute
10750 Victorian Lane
Parker, CO 80138
303-841-4325
Social Networking Profiles
