Advice on Pre-K Age Requirements for September Birthdays

[Anonymous]

We live in DC and our little one is currently 2 with an early September birthday. We were planning to send our kid to Pre-K 3 next year in the DC public system and then transition to Pre-K 4 at a private school. However, we realized that the age requirements differ between DCPS (must be 4 by 9/30) and the private schools (must be 4 by 8/31 or 9/1).

Has anyone found if the private schools are flexible on their age requirements? If not, how have families whose kids have early September birthdays navigated this? Do you have your kid repeat Pre-K 4?

[Anonymous]

We have an early Sept birthday child who did public PK3. We only inquired at one private but it was a hard no from that admissions office, so we stuck with public for PK4.

[Anonymous]

Private schools are not flexible as to the minimum age for a class (ie, you have to be 4 by 9/1 to go into the PK-4 class). At the DMV private schools kids with Summer birthdays are almost always "red-shirted." So many kids in PK-4 are 5 coming in.

[Anonymous]

Yes, repeat PK4. Or keep your kid in preschool/day care until you're ready for them to start the school where they'd stay. Moving them to DCPS PK3 for one year doesn't seem worth the hassle of transition, longer breaks, aftercare, etc.

[Anonymous]

Many kids come from daycare or private preschools so there is not cut off difference. If I you are set on public Pk, then maybe do PK3 and PK4 and then start PK4 in private. Not many public schools have PK3…

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Many kids come from daycare or private preschools so there is not cut off difference. If I you are set on public Pk, then maybe do PK3 and PK4 and then start PK4 in private. Not many public schools have PK3…

All DC public schools outside of ward 3 have PK3.

[Anonymous]

Lowell starts at two and a half. Time in PK and the transition to K is based on readiness, not age.

[Anonymous]

OP here, thanks for the replies. Even in his private daycare, they’re going to start him in their pre-k 3 class in the fall if we stay based on skills/readiness. We’ll try the lottery and see what we get, but regardless of whether he stays in his private daycare or moves to public school, it seems like he’ll be doomed to repeat a year once switching to private school since all we’ve been looking at pick up at pre-k 4.

[Anonymous]

Private schools are somewhat flexible. I have a student who is one full year younger than some of his classmates. At that young age, a lot will come down to your child demonstrating that they are developmentally ready to be with the "older" age group.

[Anonymous]

Just wanted to say that we're in the same boat! I know it will all work out in the end and she'll benefit from being the eldest in the grade, but nonetheless seems weird to have to repeat PK-4.

[Anonymous]

OP again - Glad it’s not just us!

Would be curious which schools have flexibility. Every school we’ve talked to has said the birthdate rule is a hard and fast rule.

[Anonymous]

OP, if you are uncomfortable with the age cutoffs, stick with DCPS. Your child would absolutely be among the youngest in the grade if you were able to convince a private school to let him do pk-4. Especially given that in your second post you reveal that your child is a boy - HOLD HIM BACK. Seriously. I have never once met a parent of a any child, but especially a boy, who regretted red shirting.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here, thanks for the replies. Even in his private daycare, they’re going to start him in their pre-k 3 class in the fall if we stay based on skills/readiness. We’ll try the lottery and see what we get, but regardless of whether he stays in his private daycare or moves to public school, it seems like he’ll be doomed to repeat a year once switching to private school since all we’ve been looking at pick up at pre-k 4.

An extra year of preschool for a September birthday is not being "doomed." Your kid won't even notice and he'll be with same age peers.

[Anonymous]

OP, keep in mind, your child won't be 1 month younger than everyone at a private, he'll be on average 6-9 months to even a year younger than everyone. Doesn't matter if your child is academically prepared. If your child isn't socially very mature for their age, it will be so much better being older than younger. From a parent with a Sept birthday kid.

[Anonymous]

Independent schools are full of kids whose parents can afford to give them “the gift of time.”

You’ll find many late spring and summer birthdays given an “extra” year. If you are planning to stay in independent schools don’t push it.

If you plan to return to public school it will matter less. Matter meaning is your child with an age peer group. Not a comment on public vs. private school at all. When your child is younger, and six months makes a different in elementary, they can appear behind and suffer both social.
And teacher judgement consequences. Not insurmountable, but another factor to weigh.