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Need Advice Need input on Golden Pond Preschool

Discussion in 'General Chat Forum' started by smheese, Mar 2, 2010.

  1. smheese

    smheese New Member

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    We applied for a couple of in home schools which I loved but we did not get in. Now have to make a decision between leaving my daughter in a two full day per week program at AOL daycare or moving her to Golden Pond 2 day (3 hours) program closer to home. Golden Pond is just slightly less expensive but obviously a much shorter day. Willing to consider it because when you cut the meals, free play and naptime out of the AOL day there's probably about 3-4 hours of learning time.

    I want to hear from another parent that has had a child in Golden Pond to see if it's really worth the money and if the parent and their child loved the program. Wherever I decide my child will be there for the next two years until kindergarten. Feel free to PM me if you don't want to post here. I'd love to hear all good and bad.

    Thanks so much!!
     
  2. flynnibus

    flynnibus Well-Known Member Forum Staff

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    Our children were at Kids Under Construction (on Church St in Sterling... so not closer then AOL) and at Winnie the Pooh and enjoyed both. We used Golden Pond for kindergarden, but not daycare and had a good experience as well.

    Good luck
     
  3. smheese

    smheese New Member

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    thanks everyone for the input you sent me. It's hard to get into any of these in home or smaller ones since my child is 3 already and the 2 year old families move up. I think Golden Pond or staying put at AOL are our only options at this point in the game. Didn't get a lot of people responding about Golden Pond specifically. Sounds like a lot of people probably count them out due to the cost.

    Anyone else know someone that has a child there? I'd really love to hear more before I decide.

    Thanks!!
     
  4. Villager

    Villager Ashburn Village Resident

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    For what it's worth, I've been a member of MOMS Club for about four years and have never heard bad stories about Golden Pond from other parents. Over the years I've talked to about 4 people who had children attending Golden Pond. All but one really liked it. I think the one person who didn't was mostly having issues with her child's teacher, not the school itself. Otherwise the only complaint I hear about it is the price. If you can, meet your child's potential teacher and see what kind of vibe you get. If you think the teacher (for this year anyway) is a good match for your child's personality you should be fine. The school as a whole has a good reputation.

    Good luck!
     
  5. joy

    joy New Member

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    It's been a while (4 years) since we used either, but my daughter was at both AOL's daycare center and Golden Pond. My daughter MUCH preferred AOL, although we had no issues with Golden Pond. If you didn't have the AOL option, I'd highly recommend Golden Pond. But AOL's daycare was just really above and beyond.
     
  6. krmckee

    krmckee Member

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    Winnie the Pooh Preschool still has a few openings available for this current school year as well as for Fall. If you are interested give them a call www.wtpp.org. We are very happy there.
     
  7. mikebnllnb

    mikebnllnb Active Member

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    We had our middle child in Golden Pond 5 years ago and we thought it was a great school. We didn't enroll our younger son there due to the cost. I can tell you that the teachers were great and the building was very secure. I also recommend KUC in Sterling but not Winnie the Pooh as we had a bad experience there.
     
  8. bakeram

    bakeram Broadlands Resident

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    Our child is enrolled currently, but will not go back next year. We just didn't feel that it was worth the premium price. Like anywhere you go, your experience will only be as good as the teacher that you have. We're just not willing to make the gamble that next year will be better. Overall, it's a good school. Just not the best experience for us.

    One thing that I do think the school needs to address is the carpool line. It's highly encouraged and it's a hassle because of the location next to Bloom's loading dock. Drop off and pick up times line up with Bloom deliveries and you are trying to move a bunch of cars while large trucks are trying to get into loading dock spaces. Also, if you don't have a teacher that is a great communicator, you are completely disconnected from the classroom using the carpool line.
     
  9. cmbm

    cmbm New Member

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    I sent my kids there for the 4 year old program. It was expensive but I think the year before Kindergarten was worth it. I did not send them there for the 2 or 3 year old programs because I didn't think and still don't think it is worth the money.

    About the carpool line, I never used it in the mornings. I like to be able to see what is going on in my child's class and that was the best way to do it. I did use it in the afternoons though. It did get crazy sometimes but it was worth it with another child in the car.

    I know some people have been told you have to use the carpool lane but I was never told that and my boys liked me walking them in and having a chance to show off their class to me. I am also lucky to have kids that don't cry when I drop them off at school!
     
  10. rich351854

    rich351854 New Member

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    We have sent our daughter to GPS since she was "old enough to go" and will be doing kindergarten enrichment this year. We found the teachers and the overall program to be great (our daughter also stays for lunch bunch), the school is very unique in that it is not a day care, just a school.

    As far as the carpool lane goes, the few times I have dropped the little one off - it has been very simple.... my wife has never complained about it either....

    If you have any questions feel free to drop a note.
     

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