The Adventures of Baby Arthur

by Lincoln and Liz

Our search for a pre-school, which technically began a few months ago, has recently run hot again for the last several weeks. After our last foray into pre-school research, Liz and I tacitly agreed that by age 2, we would send Arthur off. It seemed so far away back then! But as NYC pre-schooling goes, wait lists only get longer and with only 4 months left before Arthur's 2nd birthday, it is time to get cracking on this mission! Our plan is to ease him into the mix, 3 days a week for a half day session. After seeing how that goes, perhaps we will ease him full-time. Since Arthur will be expecting TWO new cousins within the next several months (one on each side!), this plan will work well for the Grandmas.

Disclaimer: Liz grabbed the bull by the horns this time! I did not personally visit any of these places, but Liz is sitting right next to me now and I can feel her WRATH! As of today, we have applied to one pre-school and have our fingers crossed that he will be selected. There is a wait list though, and we are hoping for the best. All total, Liz visited 4 schools in the last 3 weeks and I will be reporting her findings in a multi-part series.

Chinatown Day Care - 35 Division St.

After the sticker shock from Love A Lot, we went in search of more economical options. That brought us to Chinatown! In the spirit of the Stinking Chinatown Doctor, Chinatown Day Care did not disappoint. Liz walked straight in and was greeted by.. no one. No security! No reception! After flagging down a lady, who appeared to be in some position of authority:

Liz: Hello, I'm here for the tour.
Stern Lady: What tour?
Liz: I called a few weeks ago and scheduled an appointment for a tour today and to get more information.
Stern Lady (sternly): There's no tour.
Liz: Do you mind if I take a look around and get more information about the school?

Stern lady then proceeded to show Liz a classroom... from the doorway. But they couldn't go in! No ma'am, that is not allowed!

Liz: What kinds of activities do you have for the 2 year olds? Do you take them outdoors?
Stern Lady: We do not take them outdoors. Sometimes we take them down to the basement and let them watch some TV.

TV?! They let them watch TV?? In the basement?? Is there some kind of dungeon down there? Though Stern Lady explained that they show them educational programs, I would have expected more from allegedly trained professionals!

By now, Arthur was squirming around and tried to bully his way into a classroom. NO! That is strictly forbidden! And in her best sarcastic, condescending Chinese voice, Stern Lady said to Liz, "Your boy isn't shy is he?".

Liz returned home fuming about Stern Lady's comment! Arthur is curious! What's wrong with that?! While she ranted about Stern Lady, I peered over their application. It was a one page, poorly worded questionnaire that asked things like, "Can we take child to Hospital? If no, what should we do?"

Chinatown Day Care does not have a website. None of the review sites from a quick Google search revealed anything of use. There seemed to be the perfunctory single good review on a couple of sites. The lack of posted reviews isn't all that surprising, as the school appeared to be nearly 100% Chinese and likely the children of immigrants. However, not having a website is definitely questionable.

Objectively speaking, Chinatown Day Care appeared to be a sterile, clean and organized environment. Lack of security and open access from the outside is an issue for me though. At $683 per month for their full-time program, it's much cheaper than Love A Lot, but still nowhere nearly as cheap as outside the city. There is also a wait list, which could explain Stern Lady's general disinterest. Her recommendation was: "Well you can try to apply when he turns 3 or 4."

Overall, Liz was left with a poor impression. While Love A Lot clearly strived for an open and nurturing environment, Chinatown Day Care was closed and militant. We will not be sending Arthur to Chinatown Day Care.

Labels: parenting