Twins at pre-school

For those whose kids (actually doesn't have to be twins) are already at pre-school, daycare, etc.

How did you guys decide on the right school? and when they need to start going?

Was it location, type of school, principal, price, what?

And if your kid (s) are not yet at school, how will you make that decision?

I have so many things FLYING through my head.............

First I decided what type of school I wanted D to go to - religious, sport etc and then I went to all the schools in the area (we have loads in our area) and spoke to the teachers - I asked them what discipline methods they used and walked around the school...

I decided on a montessori for D, because he is quite an active little boy and I liked the montessori method of teaching, it was the best option FOR US.

We took him to an open day and saw how he interacted with the other kids and spoke to the owners of the school, who were very accomodating, and asked them if we could try it out for a month and if he wasn't ready could we take him out without the usual terms notice period....

It took me 6 months to be find a school I was really happy with before I started him

I decided to keep the twins home till the age of 2, which was this month, and they were more than ready to go now.
Then I wanted to send them only to a small playgroup type of thing, more informal with only a few kids, more for play and social interaction than anything else, since they are only 2 after all. I then found a perfect small playgroup at someone's house, but run by a qualified teacher and her mom, so we were very happy with that.

As to D, we had to move just over a year ago, so we moved into an estate where we were very happy with the school options. For us, quality of teaching PLUS convenience is most important, neither of us has the time to drive around in peak hour traffic, so now the preprimary is literally 3 minutes from our house, and the primary and high school around 5 minutes, all private dual medium with excellent reputations. Sold!

My boys were bored and I needed some time - so now I get 3 hours on a friday. I looked at the options in my area (central JHB). The boys were 18 months and I wanted a small caring environment where there was lots of outside play.

For pre school though I am still looking.... not to mention school.

I decided to keep my twins at home until next year for various reasons listed below. The school I wanted to send them to only accepts children the year they turn three (which for us is March 2012). The school we are going with came very highly recommended by a friend of mine who sent both her kids there. It also "feeds" into the junior / senior primary school in the area that we plan on sending them to later on. It is only about 2 km's away and we have another friend who used to teach there who also raves about it.

In terms of timing - we decided n ot to send to a playgroup this year as both my DH and I work and I did not want them to be in aftercare until 4pm / 5pm so young, so they are at home with their nanny for now.

Next year we plan on keeping on their nanny who will do cleaning for us in the morning and will look after them in the afternoon (from 12.30 onwards) We will unfortunately have to retrench our existing cleaner who comes twice a week.

I went on instinct - they had a FANTASTIC day mom last year who closed down and then the hunt started. Most of the places I found were horrendous - educare and all I might add. 36 babies crammed on a mat staring at a tv - with one helper hovering in the backround (shudder shudder). When I walked into their current place it was lovely - bright and sunny - CLEAN - happy small group of kiddies and I also just had a great feeling about Tana - the teacher. Plus all their work is displayed on the walls, their nap times and schedule set out where you can see it etc etc.

We still have to do the search for pre-school. They will go from next year but that is really a big heartache for me.

They have a lovely daymom and they love her so much even thought they don't play outside but they are only 5 kids all the same age and then a few babies so they get enough attention and she look after them very well so next year is another problem to find the right school

I was also worried about the teacher kid ratio - we were lucky to find a school 3 houses away from us, there are about 12 kiddies and the owner, her mom, two assitants and two directresses there which means it's 1:2.

For me it was:
* Price
* Location
* Reputation
* When I walked into the school I just knew if it was right or not

There was one right behind my complex that was well priced and had a good reputation but when I visited I was not 100% sold and decided to keep looking and found the one K is at now.

I decided to send her at 18 months can not really remember the reason but before then I thought she was too young, and at 18 months I don't think I could stimulate her like she needed to be, from about 15 months I also noticed she loved the company of other kids and played well