Tell me about Pre-School

[Anonymous]

I still have another year before my DD will be 3 but I want to know what to look for, what to expect, etc. Do all pre-schools require the child be potty trained? What about nap time? What do I need to do to prepare my child? Her daycare will keep her but I'm guessing she'll get better quality in a pre-school vs. a Kindercare for 3 year olds. Did you end up paying more in pre-school costs than daycare? Is there typically a waiting list? Are the only pre-schools out there really only affiliated with churches? We are in Alexandria. Educate me! Help!

[Anonymous]

Funny, because I LOVE my son's Kindercare for the 3s group, but he has two very strong teachers. But the 4s room scares me and we'll be moving to a more traditional preschool next September.

For a traditional preschool, you should be looking at and attending open houses now, and the application process will start very soon (if not already, depending on the school), for September 2011. If I were you, I'd think about whether you want Montessori, play-based, curriculum-based, or something like Reggio. Don't necessarily narrow it down and commit right now. Definitely visit some of each. But they all have strengths and weaknesses.

You have to apply and get accepted. Depending on the school, acceptance can be extremely difficult to almost guaranteed. There are no waiting lists like day care waiting lists. If a school doesn't accept your child initially, s/he might get placed on a waitlist. If not all their initial acceptances actually enroll, you might still get a spot.

I'm not in VA, but I think there are some decent public options there as well, too. Their application process may be entirely different.

Many programs require potty training for the 3s class, so definitely ask. All have nap time to my knowledge. For some, you supply lunch. For others, they provide it. For some, you provide sleeping mats. For others, they provide the cots.

Currently for the 3s at Kindercare, I pay $15,000 a year for 52 weeks. To move to the preschool I like, it will be $15,000 a year and then whatever it costs for summer camps (Most preschools don't run year round. Some have summer camps, with shorter hours. That varies widely by school). So my costs will go up to $17,000 - $18,000 a year. This is all assuming before and after care, because I work 40 hours outside the home.

Hope that helps a bit, and hopefully folks have good recommendations for specific preschools for you to look at.