Preschool & pre-k

[Anonymous]

I am expecting this summer and a co-worker of mine just said I need to start thinking about getting on wait lists for preschool. I haven't even had the baby yet!! We are planning on an aupair for the first two years, but then either daycare or preschool. Can someone fill me in on whether there are waitlists I need to be getting on now for preschool or how the process works? I went to Montessori for preschool part time and was leaning toward the same thing for DS.

Thanks. I am just kind of blown away by the thought of years-long waitlists for preschools.

[Anonymous]

Most preschools won't allow you to submit an application sooner than one year prior to enrollment. For you, that means applying Fall 2009 (for programs that start at age 2 -- not many of those) or Fall 2010 (for programs that start at age 2 1/2 or 3, which is the majority around here). Most Montessori preschools start at 2 1/2 and only have fall enrollment, so your child will likely be three years old prior to starting preschool. Exceptions are Aidan Montessori (starts at 18 months, in which case you'd apply Fall 2009). I've heard that Franklin Montessori is starting a toddler program but I'm not sure for what age group.

[Anonymous]

For preschool (which is generally 2-3 days a week and often just in the AM), you apply the fall before you want to enroll. For daycare (which is generally full-time, 5 days week), you unfortunately do need to get your name on a waiting list well in advance. Generally, it's best to put your name at a number of different centers while you are pregnant, because it can take 12-18 months to get to the top at a high-quality center and there is no guarantee that you will get a spot. Hope this helps. It is totally insane.

[Anonymous]

For daycare, slots are much more difficult to obtain for infants (6 weeks to toddler), in fact, those slots are like Leprechaun's gold! Since you are interested in slots for a future toddler, I think you will have much less difficulty and need not worry quite so far in advance. A high quality preschool, on the other hand, is more difficult to get into than a high quality daycare. Be thoughtful about which of those two options you are seeking.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:For preschool (which is generally 2-3 days a week and often just in the AM), you apply the fall before you want to enroll. For daycare (which is generally full-time, 5 days week), you unfortunately do need to get your name on a waiting list well in advance. Generally, it's best to put your name at a number of different centers while you are pregnant, because it can take 12-18 months to get to the top at a high-quality center and there is no guarantee that you will get a spot. Hope this helps. It is totally insane.

Depends where you are looking. I am in Arlington and all the applications for this fall were due around January or February. Most of the decisions came out at the end of February/beginning of March. Some do have rolling admissions (Westover Baptist is one) and you can put your child on the list as soon as they are born if you want!