First Day of Pre-school

I have always believed that there was a reason that kids begin kindergarten at age 5.  I was an early starter.  Having an end of the year birthday, meant that I turned 5 just one day before the cut off and thus, off I went to “kiddiegarter”.  I remember it with traumatic fondness.  Although there were things I loved about it, I always remember being the littlest.  My memories are mostly of my inability to keep up and cope.  I couldn’t open the door – it was too heavy.  I took a bit of my sandwich before we had finished our prayer (and Helena Chase pointed it out for the entire class to gasp in horror at my faux pas).  I couldn’t remember the words at our recital – “I think mice are rather nice” is embedded in my brain for eternity now though!

So with great reluctance, I bought into the notion of Pre-school for my wee one.  Maxim turned 3 in April and everyone – I mean everyone – I have spoken to here in Vegas (the academic capital of the world – NOT), puts their offspring into some form of Pre-school.  I did my research and found some interesting alternatives:

Challenger School – a highly reputable institution located minutes from our house and in a new campus was at the top of my list.  Pristine class rooms, Valet pick up service (not as glamorous as it sounds, I assure you), excellent curriculum, highly structured with an excellent staff.  For two mornings per week, 8:30 – 11:30 the bill would be in the neighborhood of $275/month.

Merry Hill Academy – all the bells and whistles as above though a bit a drive for us.  Highly reputable and attended by several our acquaintances kids, this is an excellent institution.  If you can afford it.  For two mornings per week, the tab would run us over $500 per month.

Schenker Academy is a Hebrew school with excellent references as well.We didn’t like the facility as much as the other two and the concept of Maxim adding Hebrew to his repertoire of languages was less than appealing.  I mean, how I can justify this for a non-Jewish faith child? He is already being raised in French and English.  The tab for this was over $300/ month for the two morning per week schedule.

In the end we settled on “Home Sweet Home”.  Maxim has been attending Toddler Express at Mirabelli Community Center for the past year.  He has had two terrific friends in his class for the past year and a teacher he adores.  Miss Theresa is wonderful with him and has the patience of a saint.  So we enrolled him the ABC Academy, Monday and Wednesday from 2 – 4 PM at good old Mirabelli.  I can exercise in the fitness room while I wait for him, or coffee with Monique and Amanda if I please.  All for the bargain price of $55 per month!  Although money wasn’t a motivator really for us, I can’t complain about the savings knowing that he is in a good program, with his two best pals, and a teacher who he knows and trusts.

The Three Amigos!

The first day was great.  Miss Theresa placed all three boys sitting together, Maxim couldn’t care less when I left the room, and he came home happy as a clam with projects in tow.  We love Mirabelli!

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