GainesvilleMoms.com

Hi ladies,

I'll be moving to the Gainesville area in a couple of months and was so happy to find a website like this! I am a mom of two boys -- 2 months old and 2 years old. Can anyone recommend a pediatrician? My 2 year old has been attending a half-day preschool program for a few months now and it's been great for him. I would love for him to continue after we move. Can anyone recommend a preschool program? He'll be 3 years old this summer so I was hoping to enroll him in a program for his age group in the fall. I'd appreciate any and all feedback. Thanks in advance!!!

Wow. It looks like we are in the same boat. I also have two young boys, 2 weeks old and almost 2. Although I cannot recommend a specific pediatrician ( I am still trying to find one that I think is the right fit for my family...) I can recommend a pre-school program. My older children went to MySchool, which was great for us! We loved it. Usually the turnover rate for schools is really high, but the ladies at "MySchool" have been there for ever! So, where are you coming from?

Their number is 373-1328.

Another that is really good, is Sonshine Day Preschool. I highly recommend them as well. My 2 year old was there for his first year. He is not in day care now, but if he were, I'd try to get him in one of these two places.

Sonshine's number is: 333-0017

Please let me know if you have any more questions! And just so you know, we are having our first meet up on June 21. If you make it here by then, we'd love to have you!

We switched peds at the end of last year and we LOVE our new one. It is Healthy Steps Pediatrics and Dr. Ana is the main doctor. My sister uses them as well. Here is their website:
http://www.healthystepspediatrics.com/

For preschool, we had our daughter at Brentwood School for pre-k and kindergarten. I know they start younger than that. We loved them for pre-k, but not as much for the upper classes. They tend to be a bit pricey, but my nephew has attended there from 2nd-5th grade and really likes it. Here is their website as well:
http://www.gobrentwoodschool.com/

Hope this helps

My kids 2 & 5 are both at Sonshine Day and it's awesome. No complaints. A family friendly and loving environment. The teachers and staff are wonderful.

Well welcome to Gainesville. I have five kids ages 11 1/2 thru 2 1/2. Healthy Steps is the BEST is Gaiensville hands down! I is a small office and EVERYONE remembers you from the very first visit. Not only do I use them but most of my friends to too. Their number is 352-333-0085. As for preschool, I would recommend O2B kids. They have many locations is town and my daughter LOVES it. You can be a member or non-member. If you are a member, your child can take classes such as sports movement, art, music, gymnastic, etc. Their number is 352-332-6400. Good Luck!!

Although I didn't start the topic, I'm in the same situation. My family is moving to G-ville in a month or two. Thanks for the recommendations.

Hi Janet. Nice to meet you. Where are you coming from?

Hey ladies,

Wow!!! Thanks so much for all of the good information. I feel welcomed to Gainesville already and I'm not even there yet! I know how busy we are as moms so I appreciate you taking the time to give such detailed information about preschools and doctors in the area. I will be researching all options. By the way, I never formally introduced myself to everyone. My name is Kimberly and my log in as you can see is k_renell so when you see that it's me! ;-)

Suzy: I hope to be in the Gainesville area in time for the meet up in June. It just depends on when my house sells here. We are moving from Richmond, VA.

Again THANK YOU ladies for your time and info!

Hi Kimberly,
Nice to formally meet you! I am so glad we could be of some help. The moms on this board are so great, and such a good support system. I hope you can make it by June, but if you don't, no worries...we will have another meet-up after that. Please let us know if we can be of any more help!

I used the VPK for 3 yr olds for my daughter last year. I was free for me and she went to a classroom in the same school as my son.
As for doctors, I take my kids to Eastside Community Practice. It is part of Shands Hospital. I love it there. I never have to wait along time on appt day and the doctors there are wonderful.

My kids have been going to Dr. Steven Beebe for years with zero complaints. He's gentle (but still lively!) and has a wonderful bedside manner. The kids love him and are never fearful when he comes near. I don't feel rushed when I'm in his office and he spends an appropriate amount of time with us in the exam rooms. His office is at NFRMC which is convenient for me and he takes BCBS insurance.

My 3 yr. old is finishing up his first year of preschool at Brentwood. It has been great for him! I really like teh teachers and the creativity and time the y put into each day is amazing. It is expensive (268.00 a month for two half days (9am-12pm)). They have MWF, TH and M-F classes. We plan on going three days next year for pre-K. I also have heard great things about the Healthy Learning Acadmy for Kindergarten. It is a charter school and totally free!!! We like Olga Mass for our Ped. She is w/ Alliance Pediatrics and located in NW Gainesville.

I am also looking for a pediatrician but I specifically want one who is not only breastfeeding friendly, but swears by it. Many say they are, yet they still will tell you to use formula if there's any problems. I want one that is very knowledgeable about it and would only resort to that as an absolute last resort.

I also want one who is open to alternative forms of treatment, not someone who will look at my child and just give them drugs. Someone who promotes natural childbirth and natural childcare.

Do any of the doctors you mentioned so far fit the bill? Or any others you would suggest?

I'm also looking for a good chiropractor with the same types of philosophies. My daughter's chiropractor here is amazing, that's the one thing I'm most upset about moving, is losing all my doctors! Thanks for your help!

I'll ask my friend who is a Nurse Practitioner. She seems to know the ins and outs of the pediatricians around here. I'll find out tonight and let you know...

Nikki, Dr. Massias at Alliance Pediatrics is breastfeeding friendly. She was extremely helpful to me when I was breastfeeding my daughter. Unfortunately, my baby has a milk protein allergy and although I tried to continue breastfeeding by cutting out dairly for myself, it just didn't work out. Dr. Massias is wonderful, though, and very knowledgeable and helpful. Alliance Pediatrics' number is 352-335-8888.