Ideas for part-time toddler programs?
I have a 17mo who turns 2 in November, and she’s showing so much interest in interactive & outdoor play that I’d love to enroll her in some kind of part-time program where she can do facilitated play with other toddlers her age—something like a pre-preschool with parent involvement. I really love the concept of the PACT program at Broadway Children’s School (https://www.broadwaychildrensschool.org/pact), but my kid doesn’t meet the age requirement for this fall (toddlers need to be 2 by Sept. 1). I’m also looking into the Toddler Play Program at MCPC (http://www.mcpckids.org/toddler-classes), which is 1x/week but only for 6 weeks. Any other ideas I might look into?? Would love to either find something like PACT, or string together a few options for 1-3x/week. Thanks so much for any suggestions!
Parent Replies
Not sure if this is quite your thing, but we have had great experiences with the parent-child classes at the East Bay Waldorf school in El Sobrante. We've been attending since my daughter was 7 months old (she will be 2 in August) and are planning to keep doing so this fall. I believe there are also parent-child classes at Berkeley Rose in Berkeley. Summers are hard though because a lot of the more "school"-like programs take a summer hiatus. Good luck!
Hi, we love several drop-in parent-child programs:
Free: http://prescottjoseph.org/programs/fr-charles-d-burns-svd-pre-preschool… (some teacher led activity)
Free: https://alamedakids.org/resource-directory/view-program.php?id=782 (website says program has ended but it is still running, there is a lot of teacher led activity)
We also love RIE playgroup with Christina but most of her classes have a waitlist (entirely play-based, teacher facilitates conflict, but there is no teacher led activity):
http://berkeleyrose.org/curriculum-programs/parent-child-classes/
I highly recommend MCPC’s toddler program. My son has been attending twice a week since he turned 18 months old and absolutely loves it. The program runs year round (there are separate sessions for each season and usually a week or two break between sessions) and you can sign up for more than one class a week space permitting. The teachers are fantastic and engaging. The outdoor area is spacious and thoughtfully designed (including different play structures and a chicken coop). MCPC is a kid heaven that does not disappoint!
Original poster here—Thanks for the great ideas & recommendations so far! Newbie toddler parent here, didn’t realize that it’s common for parents to keep enrolling in consecutive sessions for parent-child programs like the ones at MCPC and Berkeley Rose ;-)