Montessori, Private, ECFE.. What Is the Best Preschool Choice?

We recently moved our son to a new preschool program because of a message I saw posted here! He is currently at the Ebenezer Ridges Intergenerational Day Program - it's in Burnsville across the street from Ridges hospital. It's a faith-based (although non-denominational) program that has a terrific all-around curriculum. It is a daycare/preschool, so that might not be what you're looking for. It is available on a part-time basis - minimum of 2 days a week. You can check it out online: http://www.fairviewebenezer.org/Adult_Day_and_Childcare_P...

It has been the best fit for our son - in the 4 weeks he's been there, we've seen such an improvement in his behavior (meaning he's no longer bored at school), he's made wonderful new friends and we are 100% comfortable dropping him off in the mornings. I can't sing the praises loud enough - it's the best decision we've made.

Good luck!

My 31 month old son is also at Ebenezer Ridges, and I LOVE it! He has been there since August, and I think it is the most amazing school there is. They have prayer/chapel time with the seniors every week, pray before meals, and the teachers are great. My son has learned a LOT since he has been there! He amazes me daily. I am not a fan of daycare centers after working in one, and having bad experiences with daycare. I had a hard time putting my son back in, but felt very comfortable here, and have not had even a second of questioning the daycare/school. They also have a spanish teacher, and do sign language. The preschool program starts at 32 months (my son moves up on the 21st :( kinda sad...)

I would reccomend this program to anyone... just go and have a tour and I am sure you will love it. I was very thorough in my search for a daycare, toured just about everywhere, and nothing compared (to me). The person below who's son just started... she saw my request on here asking for other people opinions before my son started, and was impressed and went on a tour, and switched her son.

Another school I have heard is great is the Intergenerational Learning Center on Pilot Knob in Eagan. I have babysat for a child that went there, and his parents loved it. Otherwise, I have heard that Montessori's are great too. River Hills Early Childhood Center (in a church on near Diffley and 13 in Burnsville) is also great. My friend went there as a child, and her neices and nephew have gone there, and she is going to put her daughter there too when she is old enough. They also have a full-day private kindergarten that I may put my son in... it is about the same price as a daycare anyway!

Good luck with your search!

J.

I think a Montessori is your best bet! Make sure you find a real one though anyone can call themselves a montessori but research. My daughter went to a montessori at age 2 and I LOVED it but couldn't afford it after one year. I couldn't believe what the other kids were learning 3 and 4 year olds reading and the behavior of the kids was amazing. My daughters teachers were all foreign and older. They had a love and kindness to them I had never seen in daycares my daughter had been to previously I loved the structure, and discipline. Her school and another I interviewed didnot have the fanciest building or toys but it was the teachers and curriculum that won me over. She went to Early Education Montessori in St.Louis Park right off 169 and Hwy. 7 but there is another are plenty more.