Moving to Burlington...

[RachelD]

Hi mamas,
My husband has just accepted a job near Burlington and we're getting ready for a move in early July. We have an almost-3 year old so, I'm hoping to get recommendations on preschools (Montessori, if possible) and pediatricians.

Also, we'll know almost no one in the area so I'm looking for friendly families in the area and ideas about fun things to do/places to go with a preschooler.

Any help is much appreciated.

Rachel

[PNCTink]

Originally Posted by RachelD

Also, we'll know almost no one in the area so I'm looking for friendly families in the area and ideas about fun things to do/places to go with a preschooler.

Any help is much appreciated.

Rachel

Hi Rachel! Congratulations and good luck with the move! I know there is a meetup.com group called Chittenden County Moms (and Dads too!) and it is very active, with children of all ages. It's a great way to meet people and do fun things at the same time.

[queendom lady]

Hi there! You'll love Burlington! It's such a family friendly place to live. Tons of amazing things to do all year round. (I don't live there anymore but have family that we visit often)
There's Viva Espresso, an uber cool mama and baby cafe in the Old North End. The Echo Center down at the waterfront that you should totally get a family pass for the year to, great in summer and especially great in winter, your child will love all the hands on stuff. Let's see... Shelburne Farms is about 15 minutes away but has a great area to check out all the baby animals in the spring and summer and really beautiful stroller friendly walks or little hikes. There's a kids in VT magazine that's always listing lots of ongoing and day to day activities as well as 7 Days free paper you'll find everywhere.

The winter's long but the pay off is well worth it. Welcome!

ps. you can message me if you want any more info or anything.

[GamineNoir]

Welcome!

I have say ditto to everything qeendom lady said except about Viva Espresso. IMO it isn't baby and mama friendly anymore. The couch is gone and all the kids toys are gone too. The only remnant are some children's books.

And I reccomend Pediatric Medicine in South Burlington. We like Dr. Long, Dr. Wing and have heard good things about the others as well.

Good luck!

[Pumpkin_Pie]

Welcome! I definitely agree with all of the above. It is very sad that Viva Espresso has lost its mama friendliness. It was such a fabulous place to meet up, let the kiddos play and get some good coffee and a snack.

If you are crafty at all, check out the Bobbin just down the street from Viva. It is owned by two hip mamas, and kids are welcome. The farmer's market on Saturday mornings at City Hall Park is a fun place to meet other kids and mamas too. There is also Church Street, which is a pedestrian mall on a street closed off to traffic. There are lots of fun boulders to climb on, people and dogs to watch, and a fountain at the top that is very kid friendly in the summer.

Winooski Family Health is not in Burlington, but not very far away at all. They are super friendly, totally on board with extended nursing/not vaxing/co-sleeping/AP parenting/etc. Also, if you need a good dentist, Vermont Dental Care in the same building as Winooski Family Health is FANTASTIC. They were so fabulous when I ditched previous dentist who basically told me that I was abusing my son by nursing him past 12 months. VT Dental Care is not only ok with us still nursing, they think it is great.

You will love it here!

[slgt]

Burlington is a fabulous city, and there are a lot of great suburbs and more rural towns within striking distance.

The only Montessori preschool that I know of is in Essex (http://www.gmmontessori.org/). That said, I've been told that the pre-school in Hinesburg is very Montessori...I think. It is a co-op preschool so there is a lot of parent involvement.

I've also heard great things about the Burlington Children's space. Not Montessori, but very conscientious, and a great way for kids to get exposed to other cultures, too.

I can recommend Richmond pediatrics. Small practice - when you call, you talk to a doctor, not to a PA, NP, receptionist, etc. Very friendly to the choices that parents make.

Good luck with your move!

[RachelD]

Thanks for your suggestions everyone! I've actually been a little ambivalent about this move, so it's great to hear how good things about Burlington. I'm sure I'll have more questions soon and will keep an eye on this board in the meantime.
Thanks again,
Rachel

[junipervt]

We also loooove Winooski Family Health!

[BennyPai]

OP, I'm so jealous. Left my heart in Vermont when I moved from there over ten years ago.

[hollytheteacher]

Originally Posted by GamineNoir

Welcome!

I have say ditto to everything qeendom lady said except about Viva Espresso. IMO it isn't baby and mama friendly anymore. The couch is gone and all the kids toys are gone too. The only remnant are some children's books.

And I reccomend Pediatric Medicine in South Burlington. We like Dr. Long, Dr. Wing and have heard good things about the others as well.

Good luck!

NO NO NO NO...okay maybe that dr. wing person i don't know him, but we had Dr. Hartswick and she was a royal UA violation! She bullied me into vaxing at 2 months when i said no three times, then cried and said okaky (after she told me my son would die of pertussis), then she tried to retract his foreskin befor i could yell no, she also told me to quit breastfeeding and put him on soy formula because of his dairy allergy. All i had to do was take it out of my diet and she kept saying it would be too hard....

I hate that woman so much! grrrr


Anyway, welcome to burlington

[hollytheteacher]

Originally Posted by junipervt

We also loooove Winooski Family Health!

YES YES YES YES YES

Dr. Knott is accepting patients and we LOVE her, in fact we love all of them! They are foreskin friendly and fine about delaying/selectively vax'ing!

And I teach preschool at a Reggio school in Burlington. Let me know if you want more info...or call me! I can pm you the number.

We tend to have a 3 year waitlist...this year the only ppl getting in were on the waitlist since being IN-UTERO! I know it's crazy, but it's a really great place so let me know if you want to know more

[snowgirl]

Welcome to BTV!

I would recommend Richmond Pediatrics, Maitri Ob/Gyn, & Agnes Hibbs DDS.

I know you are looking for Montessori, but I will throw my 2cents in about Waldorf, my dh just went to Waldorf K and it was FABULOUS! She was a very shy, reserved child and she has just blossomed beyond what I could have imagined. They are even taking 3 yo in their K classes next year due to low enrollment. It is mult-age K(4-6 yo). They are in Shelburne, 2 towns south of Burlington, sounds far, but isn't. PM for more info.
GL!