Question

Moms, preschool talk.  anyone know if the Maine West preschool is just for 4/5 year olds?Moms, preschool talk. anyone know if the Maine West preschool is just for 4/5 year olds? Is it lottery to get in? What are your thoughts/experience on having teenagers teach instead of a teacher? Do they do a program for 3yr olds too? With registration for next years preschool approaching next month, its crunch time to figure out what my options are for 3yr old preschool. Trying to decide between ELC and park district (which I've done with my other kids) but more and more parents are telling me to get on the list for the high school.  

Answer 1

My daughter is in the Maine West program this year and we applied for next year as well. I was apprehensive at first but Mrs. Barone, the head teacher is amazing! All the student teachers are wonderful and very attentive with the kids. From what I gather, the student teachers take turns teaching certain aspects of the class each day. My daughter had some difficulty adjusting at first but loves it now!  

Comments

How do you apply? And when do you apply if you want to get in for the following year?  

Answer 2

My daughter went to ELC and she learned so much there. When she got to kindergarten and in a real school setting, she was very prepared.  

Answer 3

I was one of the teenagers years ago. Basically there is a real pre school teacher there fully accredited. She’s there to teach the kids and the teens. The teens are learning how to teach the kids by observing and watching the main teacher. It’s an awesome program.  

Answer 4

Your preschooler has to be 4 by Sept 1st, but if they still have open spots in the summer before the school year, after accepting all the 4 year olds then they will take the 3 year olds. Also your child must be potty-trained.  The application is on this website and you can mail your application to the school or drop it off. They have already been accepting applications and I was told there are only a few spots left for next year.  
https://sites.google.com/a/maine207...chool

Answer 5

My daughter took MW preschool for two years before kindergarten. Registration for MW is open now. I have a post in her with the forms if you want to search it up.  

Answer 6

Also if Maine West fills up Maine South and Maine East all have this program too

Answer 7

Thank u all for all the info! Its good to get as many inputs as possible! I appreciate it!  

Comments

Thank u for the info! Just talked to Cathy Barone and filling out the application  

Answer 8

We have done both ELC and park district. ELC is much better imo. I have a daughter with special needs and they are much much better with it.  

Answer 9

We have done ELC and MW. Loved both. ELC gives you flexibility to choose which days and how many and how long. Way better as a child care situation. It is often filled up fast. Great teachers and facility. MW price cannot be beat. It’s basically a significant amount of 1:1 attention from a high school person interested in teaching with the oversight of Mrs Barone. But you have to be able to accommodate their days, sometimes times change based on high school assemblies etc. Our biggest downside to MW is that there is no gym/limited recess. For my very active boy who had already attended 2 years of ELC, this is his biggest gripe. I personally love the MW drop off. Way easier than ELC, but very little parent connection. Both great choices with different benefits.  

Comments

Nickie, when Avery was there they went into the gym at least once a week they also took them outside sometimes on nice days.  

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Now that they are on block schedules the gym is not available.  

Answer 10

Also, all the high schools take 4/5 year olds first, and then additional spots are given to 3 year olds I think in order of application. If you are undecided I would register for both and lose your deposit on ELC if you choose to go to MW and get in :)