If your 4yo does not attend preschool/pre-K
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Anonymous
I'm a PP who advocated leaving him. Maybe not full time but part time if possible. She says he loves it and is used to it and at 4, it's really good for them. I say this as someone whose child is going to preschool in a week for the first time at 4- she's done fine at home until now but at this point NEEDS outside stimulation and more interaction than play dates with our friends. She hates leaving school even on the couple times we've popped in for open houses or what have you... She just so wants to be there. I can't imagine pulling her out AFTER she's attended and shows that she enjoys it. I'm sure Op's son will be fine either way, really. But I encourage her to really ask herself if quitting her job and staying at home now is the bet for everyone in the family. If so, proceed! But do consider how everyone could be affected (which it sounds like she is). |
Anonymous
| Look at the churches near you. I cannot imagine it is as hard to find a PT preschool as you think. PT is just right for 4. |
Anonymous
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Hi OP. As a PP mentioned, there may be PT preK available still. You might consider a co-op. They are generally a bit less expensive than a non-co-op. My daughter went to one and they provided sibling sitting on site while I was co-oping. That might be an option.
However, I do not think your son NEEDS to go to preK. You can keep him home and have plenty of social interactions. You may have to work at finding the opportunities but you can do it. Have fun! |
Anonymous
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OP your kid will be fine.
there are playgroups all over the DC area. you can take them to story hours, kid events(tons are free), the museums, the playground, ummm all over. also park and recs have lots of cheap and free things. where are you located? |
Anonymous
I'm in NW DC. |
Anonymous
Not old enough. Just turning 4 this winter. We're not zoned for a DCPS with Pre-K. |
Anonymous
Thank you for your thoughtful response. Going part time at his current preschool is not an option unfortunately. We've asked. Otherwise I would totally do that. Not quitting my job means my infant stays in daycare, which isn't going well. So that's not best for our family either. Really tough decision. |
Anonymous
It's true that the norm is to have 4 year olds in school here. NW DC... It really depends on where. Tbere are a few homeschool groups that do regular outings (look on yahoo I think), as well as some neighborhood based playgroups that I am aware of. Take a look on Meetup.com. There are several Moms groups listed there. I have found plenty of activities to do with my kid in the mornings. You will not find a lot of activities going on from 12-4pm. Many kids seem to nap after lunch in the 12-2 window, and then parents of more than one often have school pickup at 3-3:30pm. Part time preschools do exist in DC, but for the most part they are expensive. I would love to join a preschool co-op, but there are not very many around. |
Anonymous
| co-op preschool? Comparatively inexpensive and for me as a SAHM, a nice way to meet others and get involved in some activities. |
Anonymous
| Besides the DPR co-ops, which are all full and not accepting kids onto the waiting list, what other co-op preschools are there in NW DC? I know of Petworth Co-Op and this one: OP-- this might be just the thing for you... http://city-gate.org/programs/caterpillar-coop/ Says they're accepting 4 year olds |
Anonymous
Thanks for this, PP. I'll look into that co-op more. The only thing that throws me is that it gives information on the website for the 2009-2010 school year! I agree that other than the already full DPR co-ops, there's not much else out there. I've done pretty extensive research on part time preschools and they can be quite pricey, and they fill up so quickly. |
Anonymous
| If you're willing to go over the border to MD, I know Suburban has co-op openings. It's very inexpensive. You may also want to check Concord-St. Andrews, Bannockburn--all good schools. |
Anonymous
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If you're interested in a part-time option, in addition to the Petworth Co-op, which is a great suggestion, check out: CCPC, CCBC, CCUMC, and All Saints (all in CCDC/Bethesda). Try your neighborhood listserv, too -- there might be an opening in a nearby preschool if a family moves or circumstances change. Try posting on the DCUM preschool forum, too.
Even if you don't find a part-time option that works for you, you CAN make it work -- it just might mean you have to be more proactive in seeking activities out. But they're out there! I know of a nature-based group organizing in NW DC (if I'm remembering correctly you can find it through the homeschool group linked earlier) and the DC Mom MeetUp has a ton lined up for September already. If you want it to work, it can! |
Anonymous
There are classes that you can take both kids too like Music Together and a baby is very portable if you want to enroll him in something like soccer. Meetup.com will lists play groups near you. You can post to the play group forum on this site. I've also seen classes listed on the Parks & Rec site (in MoCo) specifically for home schoolers, but but Maryland and DC will probably have appropriate classes for him during the day. |
Anonymous
| Suburban is great. As mentioned above, sibling sitting is often offered on site. Usually, the more often you co-op, the lower your tuition. |