So it's time for us to put our son on the pre-school waiting list in the City of Cambridge. Except we are close to three possible schools and there are no ranks, no preferences - if the school is on the list and there is space, you must take it. We don't know anyone whose kids have gone to any of these preschools, Morse, Kings, King Open, etc. So throwing this out to askmefi: if you have any experiences with preschools in Cambridge, MA, please share! I am particularly concerned about provider availability to children, sensitivity to allergy/nutrition concerns, diversity, gender roles enforcement ("You can't cry, you're a boy." "Girls can't play with cars.") and relationships among the parents of the children.
posted by Shusha
on Mar 6, 2013 -
4 answers
Okay, you know that "On Top of Spaghetti" song? Can someone cleverer than me think of a second verse for that song that involves the poor meatball and A TRAIN?
[more inside]
posted by logic vs love
on Feb 20, 2013 -
17 answers
My 3 1/2-year-old nephew was recently taken out of preschool because his parents can no longer afford it. I’m unemployed (and job hunting) and I’ve become the de facto nanny/babysitter. He’s a bright, active little boy who knows his shapes, colors, letters, numbers, how to spell his name, etc. He was learning how to write and I want to continue with that but I'm not sure how. (I have no kids and until him haven't spent much time with small children.)
[more inside]
posted by shoesietart
on Nov 7, 2012 -
32 answers
I need information about preschool daycare options in Chicago. Neighborhood is restricted to 45 minutes door to door commute (in good weather) to both the Loop and the Medical District WITH NO DRIVING. Bus or train is fine, but no more than one transfer. This is not a "which neighborhood to live in" question--it's a "What are available preschool daycare options in neighborhoods that meet these commute parameters" question.
[more inside]
posted by crush-onastick
on Aug 9, 2012 -
4 answers
My four-year-old woke crying in the middle of the night from a bad dream last week. This has never happened before. All he will say is that it was "very scary." Since then, he insists on all the lights being on in his room all night.
[more inside]
posted by 41swans
on Apr 5, 2012 -
59 answers
Egg-free, cow's milk-free, wheat-free, nut-free snacks to make for my nursery class in two days?
[more inside]
posted by kansakwens
on Mar 28, 2012 -
14 answers
I'm stumped for active games I can play with my 3 year-old that require no props, or only simple props, like a single ball. Parameters inside.
[more inside]
posted by xo
on Feb 7, 2012 -
12 answers
Daycare woes: How do I balance the good with the bad? How can I figure out if it's time to leave and try another school?
[more inside]
posted by katers890
on Jan 24, 2012 -
23 answers
My almost-3 year old, who is normally quite sweet, has started melting down about EVERYTHING and refuses to climb/go down stairs, and walk reasonable distances. Physical issue, school adjustment issue or just a phase? How do I grit my teeth and get through it?
[more inside]
posted by kpht
on Dec 14, 2011 -
36 answers
A year or two ago a movie did the rounds of the blogs. As far as I remember, Mom said goodbye to preschooler, 'have a good day at daycare', and then the preschooler went off on his own on his running bike, through the woods doing all kinds of stunts. I could have sworn it was on kottke.org but I can't find it there or anywhere else. What was it?
posted by beniamino
on Sep 18, 2011 -
6 answers
Will not sending my kids to preschool doom them to poverty, prison, drug addictions, despair, etc?
[more inside]
posted by idzyn
on Aug 7, 2011 -
47 answers
What is the best way to structure a resume to apply for preschool teaching positions, especially when I have little actual training in this field?
[more inside]
posted by wansac
on Jun 13, 2011 -
5 answers
What will our experience be like in sending our kids to a French-immersion school?
[more inside]
posted by pyjammy
on Mar 14, 2011 -
17 answers
Religious preschool options. We are not religious. Am I overthinking this?
[more inside]
posted by k8t
on Feb 10, 2011 -
44 answers
What games, puzzles, and activities would you recommend for my almost 5 year-old son who is currently obsessed with Monopoly (real life version) and Plants vs Zombies (iOS)?
[more inside]
posted by alms
on Feb 2, 2011 -
21 answers
What New York City Preschools teach children reading before they get to kindergarten? I'm looking for names. Thank you!
posted by SarahWriter
on Jan 10, 2011 -
2 answers
My son just turned 4 and has become a wiz at bypassing all parental controls, and I need a browser that will restrict him to a few sites, such as stuff like starfall.com
[more inside]
posted by Sallysings
on Oct 28, 2010 -
11 answers
Does anyone have recommendations for great OS X applications for computers that are stationed in a daycare's preschool classrooms? I'm taking on the task of reinstalling four Mac Minis in my daughter's daycare, and am looking for ideas about the best software (freeware or inexpensive shareware/payware) for kids between the ages of 2 1/2 and 5 years old.
[more inside]
posted by delfuego
on Oct 12, 2010 -
6 answers
Thought I found the perfect preschool for my son. Then I learned the preschool has accepted a couple of not-fully-vaccinated kids. We will have a newborn in the house this fall. Is that a dealbreaker?
[more inside]
posted by anonymous
on May 17, 2010 -
42 answers
Suggestions needed for small, inexpensive items that can represent Canada to children ages 3-6 around the world.
[more inside]
posted by Abbril
on May 11, 2010 -
16 answers
I just got a job offer in SF. Do I stand any chance of finding preschool for my 3-year old by September? [Yes, ye childless, roll your eyes.]
[more inside]
posted by TheWash
on Apr 6, 2010 -
5 answers
I started working as an Assistant Teacher at a preschool a few months ago, and I do not find the working conditions acceptable. I am wondering if there are other preschool teachers out there, and what your experiences are like? (or others who are not teachers but know something about preschools or labor laws/working conditions).
[more inside]
posted by bearette
on Feb 20, 2010 -
21 answers
Anyone have recommendations for books/websites to help an MSW professional translate an early literacy project into M.Ed language?
[more inside]
posted by Surfurrus
on Feb 1, 2010 -
2 answers
Our son will be 5 in July and could go to Kindergarten next Fall but we want to wait a year before we send him. He is currently in preschool but has reached the end this year. What kinds of programs/language schools/preschools are in the Minneapolis or Southern & Western suburbs for 5-6 year olds that are waiting a year before entering school?
[more inside]
posted by rdurbin
on Dec 1, 2009 -
3 answers
Beautiful, open world platformers for the pre-school set? Does such a thing exist? Also open to general video game recommendations for the 5-7 age range.
[more inside]
posted by nanojath
on Dec 1, 2009 -
12 answers
I am on the board of my son's nursery school. I found out today that on Wednesday we are being asked to vote on whether or not to allow a child to attend who has only been partially vaccinated due to religious reasons. I need some information to back up my vote. Please read on.
[more inside]
posted by missuswayne
on Sep 6, 2009 -
48 answers
Our daughter is turning three next week, and we're looking for ideas for a fun time with her and her little friends, about eight to ten kids ranging from two to five years old. What makes for an excellent birthday for preschoolers?
posted by Pater Aletheias
on Jun 24, 2009 -
16 answers
Suggestions for dealing with an increase in potty accidents in an almost-four-year-old?
[more inside]
posted by leahwrenn
on Jun 16, 2009 -
9 answers
Are there any children's books or movies that can help a parent to discuss or teach better social skills to a preschooler?
[more inside]
posted by jeanmari
on Jun 14, 2009 -
10 answers
Looking for recommendations for a kind, quality, educational daycare/preschool in the intown Atlanta area.
[more inside]
posted by maelanchai
on Apr 4, 2008 -
1 answer
My 3 year old brings home artwork 3 times a week from school. I am not creative at all. Any ideas for a creative and easy way to preserve/ save/ display these items. Right now, they are just in a pile on a shelf.
posted by beachhead2
on Nov 15, 2007 -
17 answers