Winnie the pooh Preschool? Good or Bad??

Is there anyone who can tell me how is Winnie th Pooh Preschool, the teachers etc. I wanna send my 4 yr old there? Pls let me know (pro's and con's) good or bad experiences. Thx.

 

First I"ll let you know that I taught at Winnie the Pooh Preschool. (I left to work with young adults with disabilities.) My oldest daughter went to school there before I taught there tho. When she was in preschool, I loved it! I got to know all her friends, meet the parents and have made life long friendships. The school was wonderful, as were the teachers. From a teachers stand point, i loved working there. Again, I got to know all the parents of the children and there families, which helped when dealing with a child. Parents got to be part of the learning process. You know what is going on in school and what the children are learning. You are truely a HUGE part of the school. It is very much like a family.
Some of the con's are that all children are not comfortable with having a different "helper" in the room. Some require consistency. Also, you are a HUGE part of the school. Some parents don't have the time to spend in the school. You must belong to a committee. You are responsible for more than just dropping your child off at school.
If you want, and have time, to be involved in your child's first school experience, then Winnie the Pooh is a great place to be! IMHO

 

I've heard great things over the years about the school. Like the other poster said, parental involvement is required to some degree or another, usually as an assistant teacher once every few months but could be in another capacity. They don't have the latest and greatest facility but the parents who have had children there that I know have been very happy with it.

If anyone is looking for a 4-year-old program and hasn't found an opening yet, feel free to PM me as I know of a place with an opening.

 

The youngest of my 3 girls went there and we loved it. When My oldest went to preschool I looked at it but was very worried about the time commitment and having other kids so we did not attend. Looking back now I wish I had made a different decision as this would have been the best place for them. I know it seems like they are asking a lot however it really did not turn out to be any more then what I volunteer for in the elementary school. If you like being involved in your child school experience this is a great way to start.

Staci

 

I can't say enough good things about WTPP. My oldest went for two years and I am planning on sending my little one there too next year. I LOVED the small setting, family-like, welcoming atmosphere, being involved, and being a part of my daughter's first pre-school experience. True, every parent has to participate in the classroom as an assistant to the teacher about 1-2 times per month and be part of or head a committee. I can tell you that although the commitment part may sound like a lot at first, most (if not all) parents say once they experience it for themselves is not as bad as it sounds. I did it while pregnant and then with a small baby at home. The rewards are numerous and the kids LOVE to see you there. I became friends with all the moms in our class (both years). I chose to be actively involved as a head of a commitee one year and room mom the other and that was very rewarding as well. And in case you are wondering, all the teachers are wonderful - can't go wrong with any of them. Good luck!

 

WTPP lays an excellent foundation for school with you and your child b/c you are involved from the very start of their academic career. You have a say in things that happen there- and you have a hand in making it great! I loved being a part of the school for 3 years. Plus....I know this sounds weird....but you always know the teachers are going to be nice to your kid b/c there is always a parent around. I have heard many horror stories (about OTHER preschools) where the teachers are not nice. The teachers at Pooh are so loving and wonderful ALL of the time. Ms.Benteler was always doing fun hands-on experiments with the kids - she is now a great friend of mine...Ms.Geier is still a good friend as well- the school is stocked with awesome people---AND the kind of parents that send their kids there are the people that want to have a hand in their children's development. So you have a crew of people just like you with kids the same age as your kids- it is a fantastic scenario. AND...it is the only non-profit co-op in all of Loudoun County.

 

One thing to add about the participation requirement is that there are non co-op opportunities where the parent does not have the obligation of taking a turn in the classroom as the teacher helper. For anyone interested in WTPP, there's probably some spots still available.

My son went there for 2 years and we really loved the teachers. I really liked the part of knowing the other parents so well, and the kids too.
One other nice thing about WTPP is that they have a Pre-K program in addition to 2 1/2, 3 & 4 year old programs. The Pre-K is for kids who turn 5 before January, but missed the age cutoff for kindergarten this year.
They also have the best tuition in town! www.wtpp.org

 

Non Coop positions do not have to be a helper in the class, and they pay a little more in tutition. BUT, they still have other responsibilities. There is not an option to pay more money and not particiapte. Sometimes this causes confusion. Duties of everyone include, but may not be limited too, a meeting every quarter, committee duties, cleaning once a year, and fundraising. I may be forgetting something. It's really not much, but it is a committment.
It is a wonderful place for you and your child. Don't let the "work" scare you away if you want to be involved. Oh, and once you know the other parents, you can swap younger kids on your "special day". this works out great for many parents!! did for me!

 

Can you bring your younger children with you when you have to go volunteer? I would think this would be distracting, but there must be some accomodation for younger siblings. I'm interested in looking at this place too, but we have family or other child care providers in the area that would be able to watch any younger siblings, should I need to go work at the pre-school for my older child.

 

You cannot bring a sibling to class when helping that day. I have, however, brought the little ones on field trips and such when allowed. Many moms are in the same situation and you will soon find them helping each other out, babysitting, swapping days, etc. to accomodate each other's needs. It is really like being part of a big family. When you volunteer in class, that day is your child's 'special day'. They get to bring a show-and-tell item, be line leader, pick out the snack for the day, do the calendar, etc. It is a lot of fun for the little ones and makes them feel very special!