Martinez Patch 2012 Readers's Choice: What's Your Favorite Preschool?

Douglas Stewart March 6, 2012 at 01:49 am

I don't see MTZ headstart on the list they do good work there with kids that otherwise couldn't go to preschool

Gay Gerlack March 6, 2012 at 04:56 am

The Martinez Early Childhood Center has a wonderful program and staff. It is not unusual for them to have the children of former students enrolled. They provide the finest quality environment for families that wouldn't otherwise be able to afford preschool for their children.

Cassandra Campbell March 6, 2012 at 03:25 pm

Doug is right, Martinez Head Start should be on the list. Here at Martinez Early Childhood Center we partner with Head Start and contract with the California Department of Education to provide care and education to children from low income families. However, we also offer enrollment to families that pay a daily fee...something for everybody! Check out our website www,martinezecc.org to read about our history, philosophy, teacher qualifications, and see photos and movies of the children working on projects in the community. Watch for the MECC kids in the little yellow bus as we visit the library, marina, Main street shops, art gallery, etc...

Angie Campbell March 6, 2012 at 08:45 pm

What?!?! Morello Hils Christian Preschool didn't make this list?!? This couldn't surprise me more. I have never experienced a more dynamic and loving team of teachers. Each student is genuinely valued and shown so much encouragement, love and support. The parents, former and present, RAVE about this team and many former parents and students return often, just to visit. In my position as Church Admin, with an office just down the hall from the preschool, having had my own son enrolled here many years ago (high school sophomore now), having personally witnessed their love and devotion toward each other, the parents and each of these kiddos, year after year, I could vote for none other than Morello Hills Christian Preschool.

Lauren Hillard Corum March 7, 2012 at 02:07 am

Morello Hills Christian Preschool

Jim Caroompas (Editor) March 7, 2012 at 10:00 am

Both Martinez Head Start and Morello Hills Christian School were left off the list only because they were for some reason not in the Martinez Patch directory. We will add them there, and folks are welcome to write them in for this poll.

Chris Kapsalis March 7, 2012 at 10:53 am

I added a photo I found from preschool in 1968. I have great memories of the Happy House Preschool in Chico. I'm painting away, with two hands? Oh well. One of our teachers, a very nice lady, was a great artist. I still have a drawing she gave me. I was in awe of how she could draw and paint. She was a huge influence on me when I was young and I wanted to be an artist like her. She gave us art lessons and we also made all kinds of arts and crafts. We went out to the park and were taught about nature and learned so much. Not sure how common it is for kids to go to preschool, but it is a great head start . I always wanted to thank her, I forget her name. I will have to look her up and see if she is still around. Not sure people know the effect they have on people that they carry through their entire lives into adulthood. My mom was a teacher for 20 years in county school and still once in a while someone looks her up or writes her and thanks her. So I vote for Happy House Pre-School in Chico Ca. where I learned all I needed to know in life, almost!

Cassandra Campbell March 7, 2012 at 02:56 pm

Chris, I invite you to come to Martinez Early Childhood Center and share your artistic talents with the children and teachers. Other local artists have visited our program and the children are always inspired. What an opportunity to honor your past preschool teacher! Cassy

Chris Kapsalis March 7, 2012 at 03:09 pm

Would love to Cassy. I have two huge rolls of paper and paint? It's great how things are passed down the generations. A nieghbor of ours when I was young was in her 90's and a kindigarden teacher for I think 50 years. She taught me things from the 1800's, home made games, and drawing, even a paper airplane from the 1800's that you would not believe how well it flys. amazing. I'll write you for info Cassy. And thanks.

Alicia Peterson Bailey March 8, 2012 at 12:28 pm

Both of my children went to Creekside Montessori. I can't imagine a better preschool! Nothing can top the feeling of comfort a parent gets when leaving their children in a safe, fun, and caring environment.

Lorie March 8, 2012 at 09:14 pm

My son attends St. Catherine of Siena preschool and just loves it! Ms. Kelly, Ms. Barb, & Ms. Shannon provide a safe and very positive and encouraging environment for preschoolers to learn and have fun. They provide great learning activities and experiences. The preschool also buddies up with the 7th graders from St. Catherine's school. The 7th graders read and help the preschoolers with some activities. My son loves having an older buddy.

John March 8, 2012 at 09:22 pm

My son is currently attending St.Catherine of Siena Pre-School and he loves it. They have fabulous programs and they lead my son in the path of success. At the school, they learn how to write and are paired up with reading buddies. St.Catherine of Siena is overall a great Pre-School.

Irene Islas March 9, 2012 at 01:18 am

St. Catherine of Siena is absolutely phenomenal! This is our second child attending this Preschool and two more to go. The teachers here do a wonderful job with the kids and provide a loving and nurturing environment. And yes, the reading buddies is a real treat for the kids. The preschoolers look up to these kids at the "big school" and look forward to their next visit. Having our kids here has been a wonderful experience for all us, especially my kids. A special thanks to Ms. Kelly, Ms. Barb, Ms. Shannon and Ms. Peggy for all your hard work and dedication.

Jillian Campbell March 9, 2012 at 02:28 pm

MECC is a partner with Head Start so we are a "Head Start" preschool

Sheanine Sausedo March 13, 2012 at 06:44 pm

Maggie sat down at the dinner table and I asked her if they practiced grace before meals at school and she said “yes”, so I asked her to say her school meal prayer and she sweetly placed her hands together and gave a tender prayer. My heart swelled with joy on her Amen. Another day she was playing outside and I heard her saying parts of the “Pledge of Allegiance”, I asked her if she knew it and she said, “yes”, so I asked her to recite it and she did the whole pledge by heart and “Under God” was include! Once again my heart swelled with pride that she was learning these small values through her daily school routine. I believe these values foster strength by teaching her respect and honor in the church, world, community, home, and as an individual.
St Catherine’s has an organized program: they have a system of learning the alphabet by phonics and the first week they start with the letter “A”, so all the projects, songs, and snacks for that week are “A” driven. Last week was the letter “T” and I don’t know if they planned this, but it was arbor week; they walked to Susanna street park and planted seeds. I was lucky enough to have the day off, so I strolled the twins down and watched Maggie interacting with all the activities they offered. The teacher’s are wonderful with the kids and Maggie tells me how much she loves them. They keep a nice clean classroom environment as well. I’m so happy I made this school choice for our family.

Liz September 7, 2012 at 08:55 pm

Morello Hills Christian was an absolute nightmare complete with grown women who were depressed emotionally and the dungeon facility dark and musty and the outdoor space direct in the uv sunlight.
Martinez did not have a preschool I could leave my sons / I opted for the fabulous Mary Jane's Preschool in Pleasant Hill