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Moving to 59 & WEA. Need daycare for 6 month DS. Considering River School, Preschool of America and Smarter Toddler (if they have availabilities for sept). How would you rank them? Other suggestions?
78 replies [ Reply | Watch | Options ]NP: They watch TV every day, even though it's nice outside? I have never heard of that at any preschool.
[ Reply | Options ]np: It's not a 'preschool' in the sense of a few hours a day, as every preschool I know is. This is "daycare" which means the kids are there often for 8, 9, maybe 10 hours. I don' tthink there's anything wrong w/30 minutes of age appropriate/educational video watching (ie pbs, noggin). Nothing at all.
[ Reply | Options ]Preschools I know are often longer than a "few" hours a day. Some can go from 8AM to 5 or 6 PM. And no TV.
[ Reply | Options ]8-6 is not a preschool it is a daycare. There are no preschools that are 10 hours a day. Daycares with preschool curriculum (like CADS) yes, but still daycares.
[ Reply | Options ]np: there is no one definition of preschool. typically, preschools have shorter hours. but some preschools have longer hours. this is a silly argument.
[ Reply | Options ]UBers generally consider a preschool to be a selective school for 2-4yo, that one must apply to and go on an interview/playdate, that one gets an acceptance/wl/reject letter from and pays approx $10k for 3hrs, 2xwk, or more for more days, with lengthening days as 3s & 4s, and with the exception of Montessori-type schools, the dcs are separated by age. Daycare is considered by UBers to be first come, first served, non-selective, all day, with ages ususally mixed together, and little to no "academic" work/play.
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NP: I've had my DC in both "preschool" and "daycare" (by your definitions) and neither of them used TV.
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They are lucky to have a playground right across the street so the classes are also outside for 2 45-minute sessions each day. The younger ones go for walks in buggies.
[ Reply | Options ]The playground across the street is public and are crowded with kids from Preschool of America and more kids, nannies, people from the neighborhood. It is really very chaotic.
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What daycares you know on the UWS doesn't have playground time? I just feel bad for the River School kids because they have to mingle with construction workers and weird people on the playground.
[ Reply | Options ]Seriously? I live in the neighborhood and have never seen River School kids, or Preschool or America kids, or any other kids mingling with construction workers or weird people on the playground.
[ Reply | Options ]Oh really? Then I guess you are not out so much. The cops were called several times for strange men lingering around the park within the year. Also, public housing projects are right across the street from the River School. My friend's cousin was murdered there a few years ago.
[ Reply | Options ]np: Were the strange men in the gated playground area? Were the interacting with the daycare children (which I would expect teachers or any adult to put a stop to) or were they on the outside of the gates watching the children, or something else? Any of the above is creepy. I'd like to get some clarification on what you meant by "mingling with".
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Can you give any specific reasons for this, please. Those of us who need full time daycare don't have many options in the city. And what I've seen of nannies in my building frightens me. Please don't just say "don't use River School" without saying why.
[ Reply | Options ]Indeed the long hours at the River School are enticing, but they had several incidents where the teachers (who are often on cell phones and busy socializing) left a child in the playground outside of the school. This is a public playground, anyone can gain access to the playground, plus West End Avenue is a busy street with heavy traffic, horrible things could have happened to the children who were left behind. Do you really want to take that chance with your dc?
[ Reply | Options ]The River School is essentially a babysitting service, and not a good one at that. Convenience and high cost does not equate quality. There is no curriculum, compared to the other schools in the city, they fall short. I question the credentials of the people they employ. Bottom line, finding the right school for our dc takes time and effort, our dc deserve that.
[ Reply | Options ]There are definitely great responsible nannies out there, the key is to call references. Many teachers are looking for after school work as well. My dd's teacher babysits her (she's 3) every day after school and she's amazing. Great place to find a nanny/babysitter is at Columbia and NYU's grad schools of education. A lot of Master/PhD students are looking for nanny work.
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I don't have experience with The River School, but I do remember that there was a big brouhaha a few years ago when they lost a kid at the park. I had originally planned to go with Smarter Toddler bc they're right by my apt but I was really disturbed by how disorganized they were - not returning calls, no ability to articulate philosophy or curriculum, etc. Ended up at POA (but not the UWS one) and we couldn't be happier. Very well run, great specials, great teachers thus far.
[ Reply | Options ]I have a friend whose dc is at the river school, and they really like it. I also know someone whose dc is at a church daycare on 57th between 9th and 10th (I can't remember the name, but it's on the north side of the street). It's not fancy at all, but her dc has really loved it, and it's very reasonably priced. Even though the facilities aren't super-nice, she's really been happy with the staff. I'm not sure at what age they start.
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My son was abused at the River School, the NYC Commission on Human Rights filed lawsuit against the school on our behalf in July of 2008 and it is still ongoing. This has been a total nightmare and an excruciating experience for my family. The worst part is that the school has lied to investigators and attorneys to cover up wrongdoing. If anyone has/had similar experiences at the River School, please contact me.
[ Reply | Options ]What kind of abuse? I thought the Commission on Human Rights was concerned with discrimination based on race, religion, handicap, etc. but not child abuse. Also, if you want people to contact you you should post an email address.
[ Reply | Options ]You can reach me via email: uwsmom8@gmail.com
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We hated both Smarter Toddler (neighbors pulled kid from there - too disorganized) and PoA (we had our dd there for a month and TWICE we walked right in and up the stairs with no one at the door to stop us. Once the door was even propped open on a warm day). We ended up at a fabulous family daycare on 91 and Bway called MamaBear (Harriet Robinson is the owner). It's family style and not for everyone, but our dd was there from 6mos -2.5 yrs and it was lovely.
[ Reply | Options ]We had a very good experience at the River School a few years ago. Can't say anything first hand about the past few years, but the parents I still talk to from there seem happy. It was a daycare w/ a real preschool curriculum, nice teachers and mostly normal 2 career couple parents. I remember being freaked out by what I read on UB about the place, but our experiences were actually very good and dc thrived there.
[ Reply | Options ]I would go with CADS over any of those. It's on the east side, but a straight shot across from where you are (it's on 60th street). I'm not sure if they have opening for that age, but it's worth a try (I know they have opening for 12-15 month ages, which is the same class as the 6 month olds, but they try to have a certain age spread in the class. As it gets close to september, I would think they might be more flexible).
[ Reply | Options ]My chld has been at the RS for a few years. It's all about the teachers. As an infant the care givers were quite good, loving, and prompt with food, tummy time, etc. DC did get sick often, but that comes with the territory. As dc has gotten older I have been less happy. My experience is that you have to be very on top of the administration. They are quick to say the children are not excelling (to all the children), but slow to respond to their very high teacher turn-over. They move children from class to class without informing the parents...you won't care at 6mo, but as they get older you will want them to be doing age-appropriate activities and perhaps be with their classmates.
[ Reply | Options ]"They are quick to say the children are not excelling"? Am I misunderstanding this or are they telling you that your child is behind for his/her age? If so it seems like they're saying they aren't doing a very good job.
[ Reply | Options ]I've found them to quickly blame the children for not being ready at particular stages. I've heard from **all** the parents of dc's classmates that at one time or another they were told their children were not performing correctly. i.e. not listening, not ready for potty training, not ready to move to other classes etc. Once I was told dc was not listening to directions. I was quite concerned so I went to observe the class and found the teachers to be absolutely lacking control of the classroom. None of the children were listening, the room was disorganized, the children were arguing over toys. Other parents were getting the same feedback, but in the end it was an issue with the teachers. I've found much of the feedback from the administration to fall somewhere between not helpful and down right inacurate. There have been a couple occasions where all the parents of a class united to speak to the administration. All that said, the education is highly dependant on the teachers running the class.
[ Reply | Options ]River School administration is the problem. The school is poorly run and the high turnover rate of teachers demonstrates the school's numerous defects. They are quick to blame the children yet the problem resides within the administration and they don't acknowledge or address their own incompetency. Our DC was observed by a world renowned child psychologist at the River School and he said the classroom was totally chaotic and the head teacher and assistant were unqualified and completely overwhelmed by the number of children in the classroom. Too bad they don't tell the parents that on the tour.
[ Reply | Options ]I find this hard to believe. Why would Riverschool allow you to bring a child psychologist in to watch the class. In what way was the teacher "unqualified"? How many dc were in the class with two teachers?
[ Reply | Options ]Well I find it hard to believe that you are NOT connected to RS. If schools complain that a child is not excelling, they have to allow "expert" to evaluate the child in the school setting. This could be a child psychologist from the Board of Education or a child psychologist selected and paid by the parents. Unqualified meaning that the teachers at RS did not know what they were doing and they lack the training and knowledge to work with children. For example, screaming at a crying child is not going to make her feel better.
[ Reply | Options ]np: If the center has to allow experts in to evaluate, why would you be convinced that someone doubting this is connected to the center? I don't know if what you say is true or not, but you're calling it a school and referencing the board of ed. Its a private daycare facility. Why would the board of ed be involved at all? The children are all pre-K.
[ Reply | Options ]Clearly you have no idea how the NYC educational system works. If a school, public or private, even at daycare level raises question about a child's ability then the child will need to be assessed/evaluated by experts. The parents can go through the Board of Ed for evaluations, which is free but takes a long time or they can pay for a child psychologist for a private evaluation. This is routinely done so that if the child needs extra services (ie: SEIT) then the Board of Ed will provide such services to the child at the school, yes even at daycare level. A child with additional educational needs can receive free services from the Board of Ed at ANY age.
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My DD was at the river school started at 8 months and left when whe was 3 1/2. We moved to westchester. The incident of the child left on the playground, happened in her class. We were on vacation that week and DD was not there, the teacher was let go immediately and there was a full investigation. The teacher made a inexcusable mistake and paid for it. She is a wonderful teacher that made the worst mistake possible. I think some even still use her to babysit. Their attendance procedures (in and out) were scrutinized and a new system was put into place. Aside from the one major incident, they were wonderful. DD is smart, sociable and loved being there. Her teachers were fantastic even the infant/toddler classes were great. My dd would sing the entire way home in the stroller. As for the freak accidents, that could happen anywhere...IN MY OPINION, its much safer have your child there than with a nanny...
[ Reply | Options ]"The teacher made a inexcusable mistake and paid for it. She is a wonderful teacher that made the worst mistake possible. I think some even still use her to babysit." Who are these parents that are "still" using this teacher to babysit? Are they out of their mind?! This is so hard for me as a parent to comprehend because this teacher's negligence could easily have cost a child's life!! I hope this teacher lost her credentials and is not allowed near kids. In my work, some of the patients are parents who have lost their children. I can't even begin to describe their pain and devastation. There are NO second chances. That said, I would never send my DC to the River School.
[ Reply | Options ]Where would you send your child? I'm a SAHM and I can say I would never have a nanny based on what I've seen. Worst cases are kids leaving the playground alone or in a group of other kids/nannies while their nanny is busy chatting and doesn't notice. Others are just neglectful, in the laundry room every day there are kids stapped in strollers while nannies chat or text their friends while waiting for laundry to finish. IMO, daycare where there are multiple adults in the room would be preferable. I don't know anything about the RS losing a child situation but other posters say those teachers were fired on the spot so I wouldn't say RS would be any more likely to have this problem in the future than other daycares.
[ Reply | Options ]Well that is YOUR opinion and your situation. What works for you may not work for other families. Your statement just further proves the point that RS's staff are incompetent. How can multiple adults be present and a child is left behind??? What is done is done. Does not matter what RS say or do to cover up. They can't erase what they did.
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