The search is over. After two weeks of checking out the schools and sitting in with Trixie, we finally made our choice--- this morning, we enrolled Trixie at Little Sandbox Daycare and Learning Center. Come to think of it, Trixie actually made the choice for herself. I simply asked her and gosh, she does have a mind of her own and she already knows what she wants! Brandon and I also liked the school so I'm relieved that our minds met regarding this one. It was a tiring two-week school search, but I guess it was worth it. Call us "praning parents" but going through this experience taught us that we really can't judge a school by its website, school signage or
even phone-in information. I am glad we took the time to visit the schools--- six schools to be exact. I learned that you just cannot rely on "sweet talk" from the admin or teachers of the school. You really must sit-in in a class and see what goes on, how the teacher handles the children, and most importantly, see how your child reacts. I was almost swayed to enroll Trixie in one particular school because we visited it on a Saturday, so no classes, and I liked the lay-out of the school--- lots of wide, open spaces for children to play in and the teachers had credentials. Trixie told us herself that the place is nice. But when we sat in during an actual class, oh my, it was chaotic! I felt that the teacher had no control over the little rascals anymore and she looked too tired and harassed to care. I think we came on a bad day because they lacked teachers, but Trixie just stood there and looked at the wild kids hehe. It was the opposite for the other school. I was surprised to see kids so behaved and quiet! But we didn't like the way the teacher handled the class. It was too bland and the English of the teacher was questionable (sorry, but that mattered to me...) The only thing that Trixie liked about that school was the comfort room with miniature fixtures that she enjoyed using. Actually, she went to the bathroom twice then said she wanted to go home already, so the toilet was more interesting for her than the class! Haha! The teacher was surprised that we left so early, so I felt kinda embarrassed but staying there would be a waste of time for Trixie, so to speak. Well, it's worth mentioning that there's another school that I liked- The Learning Jungle. The teacher was accommodating and I noticed that the kids looked happy. There was a boy who liked Trixie (teacher told us he liked small kids in general) that he came right at her and gave her a kiss on the cheek! I was unsure of how Trixie will react, but she just shrugged it off as if nothing happened haha. Well, we only stayed a little while because Trixie wanted to go home already; I guess she was already set on going to Little Sandbox.
I remember the day we sat in at Little Sand Box, I immediately felt comfortable because the room was bright and colorful and the teacher was really good. She gave each student a warm hug and I sensed there was genuine love and concern. But this was the real clincher that sent a clear message to me that Trixie liked the school. During the class, a big boy pushed her. She cried real hard so I had to bring her out of he room to comfort her. The funny thing about it was that after she cried, she wanted to go back and so we stayed until the class ended! I guess the teacher had am impact on Trixie too because for the rest of the day (and week, up to now actually...), she kept on telling me she wanted to go to school and even saying the teacher's name! (See photo on the right to see a glimpse of the class at Little Sandbox.) So there. My search ended today. Trix and I will visit the school for free play this week and next, until her summer class which will start in April. I am officially a mom of a preschooler. :)
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