Big. Green. Check.

Last Friday on our way out of town, G, P and I stopped by a potential new school just north and east of where we live. Some friends send their children there, and they (our friends) are rather selective - one of them in particular, due to a slight developmental problem with their son. Even so, I wasn't sure I would think this school was a good idea. I was prepared to be let down by what I saw, especially after speaking to the owner/director. She's a tad flaky and sounds a little new-agey.

Happily, I was wrong. The school is a Montessori school (anyone know more about this? I don't know much, but the name I know has quite a following) and is set in the middle of this woman's house. She might be a little flaky sounding, but she was peaceful; her one-year-old was, despite having her nap disrupted, was happy and cheerful. The rooms are bright, clean, sunny and welcoming, with age-appropriate developmental toys placed in tidy areas. P was immediately entranced by birdfeeders that were stuck to the glass doors. The cat, Zero, was loving on her as soon as she walked in the door, rubbing her hand with his head and purring.

We were rushed, but got our questions answered. There is no television watching, there are outdoor activities, school in the morning and more playtime in the afternoon. She has a canoe and a tent for the children to play in outside, with more outdoor equipment to come soon. She is $3 more per day than what we are paying. And, most importantly, she has an opening for Monday through Thursday.

We signed on almost immediately. P had a starter day there yesterday, due to the current daycare having to close for yet another family emergency. She will start there next Monday. I think this will be a wonderful place for her to grow and learn and be with her friends. Last night she was a little groggy (late nap), but she was much better about listening, much more pleasant and chatty, and there was far less whining than there is when she goes to the current daycare.

I am so glad that I can check this off my list of things to do. It's a far throw from the other place that I interviewed last week, where the woman said that the kids don't watch tv - she doesn't have cable or a dish - but they watch Disney movies during nap. And also that she doesn't read to them because the kids don't like books. That was an immediate DQ on my end - if you visited my house, you would understand the unnatural relationship I have with books.

(I only wish that the title of this entry referred to a monetary check, but those will come soon!)