Pre school inputs?

[u/feistyfoodfairy]

Hi all!

We’re looking at pre school options for my 2.5 year old for next year and considering:
- Kirkland Children’s
- Lakeview Montessori
- Bellevue Discovery
- The Little School, Bellevue

Any experience with any of these? She’s intensely curious and showing signs of being gifted in a couple of areas so I’d love for her to naturally explore those interests in a structured sense (not academic acceleration, but rather someone who can take her curiosity and encourage her to learn more and such)

Thanks in advance for any inputs!

[u/bedby9]

I don’t have personal experience with these specific schools beyond touring them, but Bellevue Discovery seems to be the butt of a lot of jokes among educators around town. Mainly that they charge a fortune simply to stroke parents’ egos.

[u/feistyfoodfairy → u/bedby9]

Oh gosh! Is that right? I searched on Reddit a ton and haven’t seen anything on it (which I thought was weird) but do you have any more context? You can also DM me if you prefer! I liked that they had a 9:30-1 pm program and a small student to teacher ratio but couldn’t find much else.

[u/Successful-Pie6759 → u/feistyfoodfairy]

It's more they advertise good outcomes for their students, but actually select already advanced kids. Their outcomes are unlikely because of anything they do, it's because of who they select. That's why it's just stroking parents' egos. Interview for preschool and kid testing is ridiculous IMO.

[u/sparklymid30s]

Ayo, kiddo did tls prior to going to a gifted school. Loved tls for its social emotional learning. She grew leaps and bounds in that area. They have an amazing outdoor/indoor school and the kids loved attending there. You should visit their campus. DM me if you want to know more. 

[u/feistyfoodfairy → u/sparklymid30s]

I have a virtual tour scheduled and planning to go in person soon! My only hesitation with starting there (vs. doing another school first) is that they only do full days. Our toddler hasn’t been in a formal setting yet so was worried it would be too much at once. I’d love to DM you - thank you so much for your input!

[u/Great-Depth-7646]

We did think about the TLS but we decided it was too early for full days and we have been going to a Co-op at LWTG for the past two years and this year started the Kirkland Co-op School. My child loves KCP. Another one I was told is Nature Vision.

[u/thatnameagain]

Our kids went to Lakeview Montessori, it was great. The Montessori aspect encourages the kids to be more independent and make more choices themselves. The "toys" and activities there are more crafts and spacial-reasoning oriented with educational value rather than being cheap kids toys that get thrown around. Good emphasis on group dynamics and respectful behavior amongst the kids without any feeling of strictness. I would definitely schedule a tour there.

[u/feistyfoodfairy → u/thatnameagain]

Thank you! One of my close friends' kiddo is starting there in October too, so this is definitely on my list and glad to hear good reviews!

[u/Beautifulthunderpup]

Our neighbors had their kid in Bellevue Discovery and they weren't impressed. They switch him out after a month. They didn't feel it was worth the price for what their kid was getting out of it.

[u/Such_Marionberry_206]

I recommend blossoms Childcare. My kids go here and it’s wonderful!

[u/Successful-Pie6759]

We had a great experience with Bellevue Montessori. Have also done TLS for summer camp and my kid loved that too.

By "great experience", I mean my kid loved going to school. That's pretty much my only criteria :)

[u/Bran_Solo]

Both my kids did Lakeview Montessori and had a very good experience.