Preschool Resources

If you’re currently on the search for a preschool for fall, I have some resources that might help make your search a little easier.

• Arkansas Child Care Database – This searchable database contains all licensed child care facilities in Arkansas, including preschools.  Just select “Preschool – 30-72 months” from the age list, and enter any other criteria you want.  In the Better Beginnings drop down box, you can specify a level to search by.  Level 3 is the highest level of quality rating given by the state. If you’re not in Arkansas, check with your state department of education – this type of resource should be available in every state.
• Savvy Source – The preschool section of the Savvy Source website has a nice collection of preschool resources, including reviews and information for preschools across the nation. The site also offers an e-book called Choosing The Right Preschool (for purchase) that can help you identify your child’s learning style and the types of preschools that best suit that learning style.  Savvy Source has lots of other great resources on their website for parenting preschoolers.
• HIPPY – Not everyone wants to send their child off to preschool every day, and some parents simply can’t afford it.  HIPPY – Home Instruction for Parents of Preschool Youngsters – is a 30 week school readiness-parent involvement program for parents of three, four, and some five year old children.  Here in Arkansas, the program is based out of Arkansas Children’s Hospital and is free of charge to qualifying families. 21 other states have the HIPPY program.  Go here to see if your state is one of them.
• Parents as Teachers – Similar to HIPPY, Parents as Teachers programs are often open to any family regardless of income or other criteria. The program started in Missouri, but now has programs based out of school districts, universities, and family support centers accross the country. Go here to see if there is a Parents as Teachers program in your area.

What I know for those of you in the Central Arkansas area:

• Little Rock School District offers preschool for ages three to five, free of cost, to all those who live in the district. The program is ranked in the top ten in the nation for quality standards. There are often extra seats in the four & five year old program.  If you live outside of the district, you can apply for one of those extra spots starting during the early registration period, which is usually at the end of January.
• My personal experience with education  in Little Rock includes St. Margaret’s Parents Day Out and Asbury Christian Child Development Center.  St. Margaret’s is a great program for kids age infant through three.  Their program focuses on social skills with a weekly theme.  Asbury is a Level 3 Better Beginnings Quality Rated program.  Each age level has an appropriate curriculum, including music and “creative movement” classes.  I endorse (unsolicited) both of these programs, both of which are located on the west side of Little Rock.

As always, lets help each other out.  If you know of other preschool resources or information, please post it in the comments!

Related posts:

On Education: Part 1 – The Mindset