What do you think is the best Preschool chain in the USA?

Question

i.e. KidAcademy, Goddard, LaPetite, Kindercare, etc.

Not smaller ones, no mom and pops places!

Just chains.

I am an Early Childhood Educator as well. I was just looking to see what parents out there think of the chains. I work for one of the chains that I mentioned in my question.

Answer 1

Montessori i think i love that scholl coz i was once in that school all my fatherside cousins also studied in Montessori . I hope that helps...
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Answer 2

I do not think chains are the best. I am a preschool teacher, and in my experience, I have found that the non-profit centers are usually better. They usually tend to really have the kids, parents, and staffs best interest at heart. That is not to say that there aren't bad non-profits out there, too. In my experience, the administration in the for- profits are all concerned with $$$$, and how much the directors can save the corporation, and how big their bonus is going to be at X-mas. With the non-profits, all money goes back to the center. Also, non-profits tend to pay, and treat their staff better, which means less turn-over, and that is a very common thing in childcare. I am sure some chains are good places, too, not all bad, especially one that are NAEYC accredited, which generally means a better quality all around.

Answer 3

I have to agree... chains (typically) are not as well-run and staffed as smaller, non-profit organizations. In California, where I live, Kindercare is one of the worst chains... teachers out here call it the "kid warehouse". I have taught at several centers, and currently work for a non-profit preschool that serves primarily children with special needs. We have a much lower rate of staff turnover, great weely trainings/inservices, aid with paying for continued education, a caring boss who began the center herself based on her own children's needs, and the result is teachers who have been with the program for 10+ years. I think that judging the quality of a program is based on the quality of people who work in the center. If a center tends to de-value and underpay its workers, you will get a lower quality, undedicated/unmotivated personnel. If your workers feel that the effort they put in is not equal to the compensation/status they receive, they will not put their hearts into what they do. As a parent and teacher, I want my co-workers to value the job they do and know that they are making a difference in a child's life. So, as a parent, I would choose a smaller, more intimate, non-profit preschool over one of the large chains. If I had to choose a chain, it would be a Montessori school or something close to Reggio Emilia-type.

Answer 4

Well, the only one of those that we have here is Kindercare and everyone that I know who worked there hated it. I always taught at church preschools myself. Most of them were pretty good but of course pay is low at most daycares. Whenever I applied at a chain, the directors always wanted to hire me because of my education and experience, but the owners always said "no" because I would be coming in too high on their payscale and they would rather higher someone with less experience and education so that they can pay less.

Answer 5

iam an earlychildhood teacher as well and i have worked at two of the chains you have listed and felt that they were mainly interested in profits than what was best for the children and teachers, they also always have a higher turn over in teachers.

Answer 6

I have heard good things about Seven Oaks, though personally I prefer smaller schools. I also work in ECE.

Answer 7

I think Montessori. I went there as a kid, and it really helped me get a heasdstart over some of the other kids in my grade.

Answer 8

from time to time you dont choose toys. My dad raised me by using showing me letters on his shirts (how I discovered the alphabet) take word on what your children trys to get into plenty (like possibly they prefer to clutter with flowers as an celebration, attempt showing them shapes in the flowers and each and every of the colors in it)

Answer 9

Any chain is only as good as each local staff.

Answer 10

Montessori. My son goes to one, and I'm very happy with his progress. MOre importantly, he likes going to school.