Considering Half Day Preschool Programs Near Raleigh, NC?
If you're a mother or father of a 3 year old, you know there is so much to enjoy about this age. Your child is starting to have real conversations, and you probably chat about going to visit friends or seeing the animals at the zoo. There's a million "But Why?" questions every day. But as fun as it is to be with them, you may be wondering if your child would benefit from being around some other children of the same age.
Whether you're considering relocation to the Raleigh area, have just moved to southern Wake County, or have lived here your entire life, you may have wondered what the half-day preschool options are in the Triangle area.
Here are answers to questions commonly asked by families planning relocation to the Raleigh area.
We've also included a map so you can see exactly where these learning centers offering half-day preschools are located!
Bright Horizons
2051 Shepherd's Vineyard Dr.
Apex, NC 27502 (919) 363-4556
Bright Horizons offers a half-day preschool program based on The Creative Curriculum for Preschool. Children use self-directed play, and work in small groups as they begin to learn skills needed to grow and be successful. Children have the chance to chose what they would like to do throughout the day while learning subjects such as math, science, language, technology, art. They also have circle time, and show and tell which helps them learn to interact and share with others.
Bright Horizons has an excellent reputation among parents, and openings fill quickly.
Hours are 9am to 1pm with lunch included. They offer a 2 day, 3 day and 5 day choice starting at $225 per month.
Imagine That Learning Center
2135 Ten-Ten Road, Apex, NC 27539
(919) 362-6007
A unique Apex half day preschool program, the Imagine That Learning Center uses four different rooms to teach children about Learning with teacher directed activities, Discovery where they will learn about science and exploration, Dramatic Play with dress up and house keeping time, and an Indoor Gym room for physical activity. Children will begin to learn math and phonics concepts as well as earth and animals and community through science and social studies.
Morning snacks and milk are provided but parents must send their child with a peanut free lunch.
Classes run from 9am to 1pm anywhere from 1 day a week to 5 days a week. There is a one time registration fee of $35 for the first child and $55 for the family. Pricing is as follows:
Imagine That will be accepting applications for new students in the next couple of weeks.
Little Dreamers Preschool
114 Hyannis Drive, Holly Springs, NC 27540
(919) 303-3434
This Holly Springs half-day preschool program advertises use of daily puzzles, arts and crafts, and manipulatives, as well as enhancement of knowledge of letters, numbers, shapes and color recognition. Children will work on writing skills and phonics, language, and drama as well as learn daily skills such as sharing and good manners.
Classes are from 9am to 12:15pm with three options:
- MWF is $180 per month
- T-TH is $135 per month
- M-F is $270 per month
There is a one time registration fee of $70 for each child. Classes run from August through June and an optional summer camp in July. Little Dreamers will be accepting applications for the fall starting March 3.
Primrose School At West Lake
4501 West Lake Rd
Apex, NC. 27539
919-662-1322
Working with a philosophy of Balance, Learning and Fun, Primrose School offers half day preschool programs in Apex with children's activities that develop fundamentals of reading, math and science as well as teaching Spanish, and beginning use of technology. Through self discovery and teacher guidance, children are able to expand their knowledge and have fun at the same time.
Hours are from 8:45am to 12:45pm and lunch is provided. The Apex Primrose offers three different choices of weekly schedules.
- 5 days for $598 a month
- 3 days for $99 a week
- 2 days for $69 a week
Now taking applications for June, Primrose will be having an open house on February 28th from 6pm-7pm to take a tour of the school, meet the teachers and get a information packet.
Goddard Preschool
903 Chapel Hill Rd, Apex, NC 27539
(919) 362-3999
A privately owned franchise, each location including this Apex location offering half day preschool programs runs with the Goddard Developmental Guidelines to provide your child with unique lessons, in a low pressure environment. Children learn through dramatic play, creative art, math lessons, music, computers and science to name a few.
They get a chance to learn from special visitors such as police officers, veterinarians and have interactive time with puppet shows. Snacks, milk and juice are provided, but parents must send a lunch.
There are three different half day preschool programs available. Hours run from 9am to 1 pm.
The Apex Goddard location is now taking applications for the 2008-2009 term, which starts in July.
The Learning Experience
801 Holly Springs Road, Holly Springs, NC 27540
(888) 865-7775
The Learning Experience touts letting children learn at their own pace. They give parents "LEAP" books each month with seasonal themes and activities, featuring "Bubbles the Elephant. A day's curriculum includes computer time and "fun with phonics".
The Learning Center in Holly Springs will be opening within the next quarter and their representative expects half day preschool registration to fill quickly. They offer two different schedules, either 3 or 5 days a week, with the choice of half-day care from 8am until 12:30pm or full-day care from 8am until 3pm. Both programs provide lunch.
Pricing will vary depending on which program and was not clear at the time of our call as the center is still under construction. But this center does offer early or late pickup/drop off times and a breakfast option.
Holly Springs Learning Center
1180 Holly Springs Road, Holly Springs, NC 27540
(919) 577-6119
The Holly Springs Learning Center offers a half day preschool program based on discovery and play while focusing on kindergarten readiness. Children will learn fine and gross motor skills, vocabulary and communication skills, math concepts, pre-writing and handwriting as well as science, social studies, pre-reading skills and opportunities to learn conflict resolution and appropriate behavior in group settings.
Holly Springs Learning Center will provide lunch, snacks, art supplies and other consumables and parents will be responsible for blankets, change of clothes and for the occasional unusual classroom supplies for special projects.
For the half day preschool programs, hours are 8:30am to 12:30 pm with a choice of
- M-F for $510 per month
- MWF for $335 per month
Here's a map with each of these half day preschools pinpointed for easy reference.
View Larger MapRaleigh and the Triangle Area
Whether you're looking at relocating to Raleigh to start your career, to find a friendly place to raise a family, or retiring in a terrific climate, Raleigh and the Research Park Triangle has something to offer you. Great schools, Forbes rated #1 in 2007 for Businesses and Careers, lots of lakes and golf courses, top-rated cultural centers, universities, and hospitals - and all only two hours to the ocean and three hours to the mountains - it's no wonder that Raleigh is a "Best Place to Live"!
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If I had children this would be priceless information! I cannot believe the curriculum at these schools - I thought children at three just played with blocks...