Selecting a Preschool
Many great options close to home!
Summerset Living Preschools from Summerset Living on Vimeo.(Classroom video filmed at Beth Shalom Preschool.)
Families at Summerset at Frick Park are lucky to have many excellent options for child care and preschool nearby. Whether parents need full-time day care or want to send their little ones to a part-time preschool program, there are many choices close to home.
With so many schools to choose from, selecting a preschool for your child can be daunting. We asked three directors of nearby preschools what things parents should keep in mind when looking at preschools.
Start looking at least one year before your anticipated start day. Most schools have waiting lists, but if you are getting a late start, don’t despair. Liron Lipinsky, Head of Schools at Beth Shalom, explains that since many young families are affiliated with the hospitals and university programs they tend to be very transient. Reserved spots may open up unexpectedly, so it is always worth a phone call to check on whether there is space available. Natalie Kaplan, President and Founder of The Carriage House Children’s Center, assures parents that “there are a lot of good schools to choose from” in the Squirrel Hill area.
All the directors stressed the need for unstructured playtime that is designed to promote self-discovery, exploration and social skills. Mary Lang, Director of Shadyside Presbyterian Church Nursery School, notes that it’s a false dichotomy between an academic versus a play-based curriculum since play provides valuable learning skills and is age-appropriate. This type of learning provides a child the chance to work on gross motor skills and socio-emotional skills as well as learn to exercise self control and other executive functioning skills. Mrs. Kaplan concurs that “the most important things for young children is to play, to have fun, to be well taken care of, to learn how to interact with other children in a positive way and to learn how to take turns.” The directors all noted that the children in play-based programs transition to kindergarten very well.
Time for a New Townhome?
The Townhomes at Frick Park are ideal for many lifestyles. Busy professionals, world travelers, empty-nesters, or young families can all enjoy the low- maintenance living that our townhomes offer.
Leave the snow removal, lawn care and exterior maintenance to someone else while you spend your free time in better ways. Our townhomes are designed to be energy-efficient as well, which means spending less time maintaining your home and less money heating and cooling it. All townhomes also include a two-car garage, which can house your cars, bicycles, and not your lawn equipment!
These two and three bedroom homes are the perfect size for singles, couples, or families. End units are larger and feature first-floor master suites. Trade in your large, drafty, older home for a new townhome that is well-insulated and has easy-care, high-quality building materials, such Andersen windows. Move up from your older, cramped kitchen to one that is open and has the latest in appliance and materials. An optional loft provides plenty of room for a guest room, a home office, or a hobby space.
Our inviting front porches are perfect for a nice evening outside. Enjoy outdoor meals in a private courtyard. Our open floor plans feature a great layout for entertaining and relaxing. Custom upgrades, including third floor lofts, balconies, office/studio space or in-law suites all further personalize your home. These homes are designed for today’s active lifestyles, with large kitchens, open living areas and include laundry rooms, storage areas and large closets.
Call Melissa today to learn more about reserving your townhome. With interest rates this low, now is the perfect time to make your move to a new, custom townhome at Summerset at Frick Park.
The Gateway at Summerset
February 11th marked the opening of the new leasing office for the Gateway at Summerset. The six building, 131 units with one and two bedrooms, located near the Browns Hill Road entrance will be available this spring.
With the high demand of The Reserve at Summerset at Frick Park, it is expected that these new units, conveniently located to downtown, the hospitals and universities will be a welcomed addition to Pittsburgh’s rental market. Easy access to the Waterfront, a popular destination for shopping, dining and entertainment, make the Gateway at Summerset apartments a perfect location in terms of work and play.
In addition to its convenient location, the Gateway at Summerset residents enjoy the many amenities that Summerset at Frick Park offers, including pool, basketball court, community center, fitness room, playground and tree-lined sidewalks for walking. Nearby Frick Park, the city’s largest park, is a great place to walk, jog or bike ride.
Browns Hill Entrance Opens
The new entrance to Summerset at Frick Park is officially open!
With this new phase of construction underway, the extension of Parkview Boulevard is now complete. It now extends from the Forward Avenue entrance, to Summerset at Frick Park and all the way down to Browns Hill Road. This picturesque, meandering boulevard winds its way around Crescent Park, by the Community Center, and around traffic circles, while providing terrific river views and continuing to the new entrance on Browns Hill Road. The new entrance is designed to slow traffic and discourage cut-through traffic, by way of carefully designed roads and the installation of a traffic circle. The 25 mph speed limit will be enforced.
Now, it is even more convenient for residents to enjoy the shopping and dining at the nearby Waterfront, amusement parks, The South Side and other destinations south of the city.