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Message |
    
Ellen
Citizen
Username: Eldrey
Post Number: 5
Registered: 8-2003
| | Posted on Saturday, March 19, 2005 - 8:32 pm: | 
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I'm looking at preschools and am interested in hearing from parents with a child in Playhouse preschool in West Orange. Are you and your child happy there? Any insights welcome. |
Lydia
Supporter
Username: Lydial
Post Number: 1005
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Saturday, March 19, 2005 - 9:33 pm: |
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Ellen,
We LOVE Playhouse! I kept my daughter there for Kindergarten instead of the (free) public school (that I also love, but not as much) because it is just such a wonderful school.
Where to start? Most importantly, Playhouse nurtures the entire family, children and parents and families are all respected, differences between families are just a daily part of life, I like that they don't fall into the fake sort of celebrations that are really photo ops for the parents and not considering if it benefits the children.
Many of the teachers are Bank Street teachers, the tuition is sliding scale and that results in a truly "diverse" student body. Learning is through play, but it's not hippy-dippy. My 6-year-old can read and write, but she can also identify different cloud formations, tell you why it makes sense to bury a dead pollywog in your garden and do Yoga when she's feeling quiet.
When I talk to other moms about Playhouse in public places (the gym, in line at Kings) without fail a woman with grown up kids breaks into the conversation to relate their great experiences with their now-grown Playhouse grads.
They always ask me to say hello to Jeanne the director and if I remember and see Jeanne, she always remembers them - even if they were there 30 years ago.
The building is not that exciting, and when I first went to check it out I was surprised that unlike other preschools I'd visited, the tour didn't feel like they were "selling" the school to me - at first that sort of jarred me a bit - I was used to more of a Pep rally at the tours of pre-schools.
Once I decided to go to Playhouse I realized that they aren't into selling the school to people, they care about the right fit.
We have been so happy at Playhouse - I love the Teachers, the parents, the administration, it's been a very special place for me and my daughter.
I know I'm gushing and running on, but I feel like I haven't even scratched the surface. |
naborly
Citizen
Username: Naborly
Post Number: 377
Registered: 7-2001
| | Posted on Saturday, March 19, 2005 - 11:48 pm: |
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My son went to Playhouse for nursery school and kindergarten -- he is now 22. We kept contact with Playhouse for many years after because we liked it so much. And when my son was 4 years old, people then were writing letters about Playhouse just like the one I'm writing to you. |
ina
Citizen
Username: Ina
Post Number: 186
Registered: 6-2001
| | Posted on Tuesday, March 22, 2005 - 4:44 pm: |
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Another Playhouse parent here. My favorite parts are emphasis on outdoor play (2xday in good weather) and the age range in classes, which I believe fosters my daughter's social skills. |
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