Nursery School/Pre-school for 2 y.o. that misses the 9/1/08 cut-off

[Anonymous]

I am looking for advice on where to send my DS who will not be 3 by the 9.1.08 cut-off for lots of programs. I am hoping for a program in the Bethesda, Ch Ch, Kensington, Silver Spring or NW DC area. We have another baby due in the Spring so I want him to have a program just for him--1/2 days either 3 or 5 days a week. He is not yet toilet trained, and not sure he will be by then, if that is a factor. I really just want a program where he will socialize with other kids his age. Any thoughts?

[Anonymous]

There are many programs in NW DC that accept kids your son's age (my son is the same age). Montessoris (which tend to be five half days) are a good place to start -- Chevy Chase Montessori, August Montessori, and Franklin Montessori, all in upper NW, all accept children at 2.5, I believe.

Chevy Chase Presbyterian Church and CCBC, both at Chevy Chase circle, also have programs for kids that age. There's a church on Conn. Ave. in Maryland -- Chevy Chase Methodist, maybe? -- that I've heard great things about, as well. Synagogues also have programs -- Washington Hebrew, Temple Beth-El in Bethesda, etc. I've also heard good things about Westmoreland Children's Center (I think that's the name). My understanding is that few programs expect kids under 3 to be toilet trained.

So the good news is that there are lots of options; the bad is that all of these programs are over-subscribed, and most are already accepting applications and/or putting classes together for next year. Most have been holding open houses for months. So, check out websites now, print applications when they're available, and sign up for the remaining open houses.

Good luck!

[Anonymous]

yes, i think most preschools accept children age 2 or 2.5. there are some that do not start until age 3, but i think those are not the norm. actually, alot of montessori schools start at 3.

[Anonymous]

I send my kids to Bethesda Country Day School. They take them as they turn two. My little one turns 2 on Thursday and will start the following Monday. The "bad" news with these programs that take them as they turn 2 is that they will have to be in the twos again another year (usually higher prices than the older kids slots) so that they stay with their class grade.

[Anonymous]

I am in a similar situation and have 2 yr old twin boys whose birthday is 9/26. They miss the 2 yr old cut off for most programs by just 3 weeks. This will also happen when they enter kindergarten as they'll be almost 6 yrs old when they enter. I think that's a bit old. But in the state of MD, I can petition for them to enter school a year early if we decide it's in their best interest.

We do send them to a 2 yr old nursery school program 2 days a week, half day, despite they miss the 2 yr old cut off. However, we live out in Annapolis and this Jewish day school had openings. I think the fact that I had twins whose birthday was so close to the cut off made a difference in the school 'waiving' the entrance criteria. Let's face it, they'll make a nice dollar when I enroll two at once and it's easier for them to ensure they have a full class of 2 yr olds. But, they had to wait until they turned exactly 2 yrs old to start school.

This school will allow my boys to 'graduate' to the 3 yr old class next year and attend classes 3 days a week. I will probably have them repeat when they are 4 or 5 yrs depending if we continue to send them there.

Good luck! It's a tad frustrating, so I fully understand your dilemma.

Kim