Move to DC for free pK3

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:There are a handful of schools with guaranteed in bounds PK3 in DC, but by and large, they are not schools that middle-to-upper-middle class people feel comfortable sending their children above kindergarten. Otherwise, it's lottery until kindergarten. Your younger child would have sibling preference in the lottery for your older child's school, which is usually a strong indicator that they'll get in.

Also, the PP was correct to suggest that you consider other costs associated with it. Aftercare is available at most schools, and not all schools charge for aftercare. There are breaks when you will need to make childcare arrangements, but even factoring in those costs, it is still cheaper than daycare by a long stretch.

But only if your rent is comparable right now (and I assume you're renting otherwise this would seem to make little sense). Also factor in DC tax is higher than NoVA. So you lose some money there too. Depending on where you are in NoVA, rents (for places you'd find acceptable) in DC could easily exceed what you pay now, further eating into cost difference. And what are you going to do for childcare for #2? Being in DC may very well limit your childcare options, and centers tend to be a bit more expensive in DC than they are in NoVa. Not by much, but that's another couple hundred. Add it all up and even with free aftercare, you're possibly not coming out all that far ahead. I have friends who considered this same option and the tax+rent difference wiped out virtually all the savings. Facing #2 now, with #1 in a DC pre-K, we're actually looking to move out - going with an au pair or nanny will be cheaper (different degrees of cheaper of course) than 2 in a center or for the nanny not actually that much more expensive than DC infant care (for a spot we're not sure we can get) plus the aftercare + days off + breaks + summer camp expenses we will have. And we definitely pay more in rent and taxes than we would in VA. So basically it's a wash. There have been some savings this past year - but again, factoring in school schedule care, rent differences and taxes, not nearly as much as you'd hope and certainly something that wouldn't have made it worth it had we not already been in DC.

I think whether it's a wash or not is pretty situation-specific. We live in DC, rent, and sent DD to daycare until she was old enough to go to school. Daycare was $1500/mo. Her school is free. The only other expense that changed was that we did not need to buy diapers anymore because she was toilet trained. So for us, it was a savings of $36,000 in childcare alone.

But what about the professional training days, holidays, and vacations? Presumably you have to pay something for child care on those days, which eats into that $36,000 savings to a certain extent.

Camp last year was $1700 or so for the summer. For PD days, we usually trade off who takes a personal day. It is basically the same PTO spend as we were spending when she was first in daycare and getting sick all the time. I get federal holidays off, and they generally match up to school closures. We take our vacations during spring break and winter break.

Being very conservative about lost income and extracurricular expenses for that 2 year period, the savings was probably no less than $30,000. Still a big deal to us.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:There are a handful of schools with guaranteed in bounds PK3 in DC, but by and large, they are not schools that middle-to-upper-middle class people feel comfortable sending their children above kindergarten. Otherwise, it's lottery until kindergarten. Your younger child would have sibling preference in the lottery for your older child's school, which is usually a strong indicator that they'll get in.

Also, the PP was correct to suggest that you consider other costs associated with it. Aftercare is available at most schools, and not all schools charge for aftercare. There are breaks when you will need to make childcare arrangements, but even factoring in those costs, it is still cheaper than daycare by a long stretch.

But only if your rent is comparable right now (and I assume you're renting otherwise this would seem to make little sense). Also factor in DC tax is higher than NoVA. So you lose some money there too. Depending on where you are in NoVA, rents (for places you'd find acceptable) in DC could easily exceed what you pay now, further eating into cost difference. And what are you going to do for childcare for #2? Being in DC may very well limit your childcare options, and centers tend to be a bit more expensive in DC than they are in NoVa. Not by much, but that's another couple hundred. Add it all up and even with free aftercare, you're possibly not coming out all that far ahead. I have friends who considered this same option and the tax+rent difference wiped out virtually all the savings. Facing #2 now, with #1 in a DC pre-K, we're actually looking to move out - going with an au pair or nanny will be cheaper (different degrees of cheaper of course) than 2 in a center or for the nanny not actually that much more expensive than DC infant care (for a spot we're not sure we can get) plus the aftercare + days off + breaks + summer camp expenses we will have. And we definitely pay more in rent and taxes than we would in VA. So basically it's a wash. There have been some savings this past year - but again, factoring in school schedule care, rent differences and taxes, not nearly as much as you'd hope and certainly something that wouldn't have made it worth it had we not already been in DC.

I think whether it's a wash or not is pretty situation-specific. We live in DC, rent, and sent DD to daycare until she was old enough to go to school. Daycare was $1500/mo. Her school is free. The only other expense that changed was that we did not need to buy diapers anymore because she was toilet trained. So for us, it was a savings of $36,000 in childcare alone.

But what about the professional training days, holidays, and vacations? Presumably you have to pay something for child care on those days, which eats into that $36,000 savings to a certain extent.

NP, and I have a flexible job and almost always am able to stay home with my kids on their days off. I rarely pay for childcare on those days.

As far as summer camps, you can do it relatively cheaply in DC. We have always done a mixture of DPR camps and other more expensive options and typically spend around $1500 per kid per summer.

For us, being in public school has saved us a ton of money overall.

OP-- just keep in mind that not all DCPS schools have PK3. Make sure you research before you move. And as a PP said-- it's too late for the next school year.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The spot is not guaranteed until K. Unless you plan on moving to NW or going private at some point (or leaving DC in the next 10 years), this will be a choice you regret.

They could also go charter and be happier than they would be in Arlington.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We spend about $5,000-6,000 per year on after care, occasional school days off, and camps for our child (if we stuck with the YMCA for all camps, it would be less than $5,000). That's much less than the $30,000 we would be paying for private pre-school. We also save considerably on transport costs (we walk to school and work) and mental health (sitting in traffic makes me crazy). We love DC and wouldn't consider moving to the suburbs.

If you do decide to move to DC, you should definitely get an address soon to be able to submit in the second round of the lottery.

Yes, the first round already ended, but there will be another round this spring. I think if you are in-boundary for a particular school, you would be moved ahead of any out of boundary kids, even if you don't enter until the second round.

[Anonymous]

There is not a second round this year - the lottery is running on a rolling basis now, like it did last year after the second round. You can apply at any time, and will be assigned numbers based on your preferences (ie, end of the waitlist of charters, end of IB preference at IB school, etc).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:You will get a spot, just not necessarily at the school of your choice. The PP points out something very critical- the amount you will save is FAR less than you think. You will need care for after school, for all those school vacations, for all those teacher training days and half days, etc., plus summer. It's not the huge cost savings you think it is, particularly when you consider that you'll need to move for it.

Also...you have missed the lottery.

Its still a significant savings. I get so annoyed by the posters who complain abut $250/month for aftercare. They should move back to VA and pay 1500/month for quaility daycare for two additional years. Preschool in DC has done wonders for getting more families back in teh City and also more families willing to stay longer in the City.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:There are a handful of schools with guaranteed in bounds PK3 in DC, but by and large, they are not schools that middle-to-upper-middle class people feel comfortable sending their children above kindergarten. Otherwise, it's lottery until kindergarten. Your younger child would have sibling preference in the lottery for your older child's school, which is usually a strong indicator that they'll get in.

Also, the PP was correct to suggest that you consider other costs associated with it. Aftercare is available at most schools, and not all schools charge for aftercare. There are breaks when you will need to make childcare arrangements, but even factoring in those costs, it is still cheaper than daycare by a long stretch.

But only if your rent is comparable right now (and I assume you're renting otherwise this would seem to make little sense). Also factor in DC tax is higher than NoVA. So you lose some money there too. Depending on where you are in NoVA, rents (for places you'd find acceptable) in DC could easily exceed what you pay now, further eating into cost difference. And what are you going to do for childcare for #2? Being in DC may very well limit your childcare options, and centers tend to be a bit more expensive in DC than they are in NoVa. Not by much, but that's another couple hundred. Add it all up and even with free aftercare, you're possibly not coming out all that far ahead. I have friends who considered this same option and the tax+rent difference wiped out virtually all the savings. Facing #2 now, with #1 in a DC pre-K, we're actually looking to move out - going with an au pair or nanny will be cheaper (different degrees of cheaper of course) than 2 in a center or for the nanny not actually that much more expensive than DC infant care (for a spot we're not sure we can get) plus the aftercare + days off + breaks + summer camp expenses we will have. And we definitely pay more in rent and taxes than we would in VA. So basically it's a wash. There have been some savings this past year - but again, factoring in school schedule care, rent differences and taxes, not nearly as much as you'd hope and certainly something that wouldn't have made it worth it had we not already been in DC.

I think whether it's a wash or not is pretty situation-specific. We live in DC, rent, and sent DD to daycare until she was old enough to go to school. Daycare was $1500/mo. Her school is free. The only other expense that changed was that we did not need to buy diapers anymore because she was toilet trained. So for us, it was a savings of $36,000 in childcare alone.

But what about the professional training days, holidays, and vacations? Presumably you have to pay something for child care on those days, which eats into that $36,000 savings to a certain extent.

NP, and I have a flexible job and almost always am able to stay home with my kids on their days off. I rarely pay for childcare on those days.

As far as summer camps, you can do it relatively cheaply in DC. We have always done a mixture of DPR camps and other more expensive options and typically spend around $1500 per kid per summer.

For us, being in public school has saved us a ton of money overall.

OP-- just keep in mind that not all DCPS schools have PK3. Make sure you research before you move. And as a PP said-- it's too late for the next school year.

It may not be too late depending on where you move. Even after lottery, you can enter WL and jump everyone that is not IB on the wait list. You have to figure out which schools usually clear all IBs. You can also look into which schools have guaranteed entrance.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:There are a handful of schools with guaranteed in bounds PK3 in DC, but by and large, they are not schools that middle-to-upper-middle class people feel comfortable sending their children above kindergarten. Otherwise, it's lottery until kindergarten. Your younger child would have sibling preference in the lottery for your older child's school, which is usually a strong indicator that they'll get in.

Also, the PP was correct to suggest that you consider other costs associated with it. Aftercare is available at most schools, and not all schools charge for aftercare. There are breaks when you will need to make childcare arrangements, but even factoring in those costs, it is still cheaper than daycare by a long stretch.

But only if your rent is comparable right now (and I assume you're renting otherwise this would seem to make little sense). Also factor in DC tax is higher than NoVA. So you lose some money there too. Depending on where you are in NoVA, rents (for places you'd find acceptable) in DC could easily exceed what you pay now, further eating into cost difference. And what are you going to do for childcare for #2? Being in DC may very well limit your childcare options, and centers tend to be a bit more expensive in DC than they are in NoVa. Not by much, but that's another couple hundred. Add it all up and even with free aftercare, you're possibly not coming out all that far ahead. I have friends who considered this same option and the tax+rent difference wiped out virtually all the savings. Facing #2 now, with #1 in a DC pre-K, we're actually looking to move out - going with an au pair or nanny will be cheaper (different degrees of cheaper of course) than 2 in a center or for the nanny not actually that much more expensive than DC infant care (for a spot we're not sure we can get) plus the aftercare + days off + breaks + summer camp expenses we will have. And we definitely pay more in rent and taxes than we would in VA. So basically it's a wash. There have been some savings this past year - but again, factoring in school schedule care, rent differences and taxes, not nearly as much as you'd hope and certainly something that wouldn't have made it worth it had we not already been in DC.

I think whether it's a wash or not is pretty situation-specific. We live in DC, rent, and sent DD to daycare until she was old enough to go to school. Daycare was $1500/mo. Her school is free. The only other expense that changed was that we did not need to buy diapers anymore because she was toilet trained. So for us, it was a savings of $36,000 in childcare alone.

But what about the professional training days, holidays, and vacations? Presumably you have to pay something for child care on those days, which eats into that $36,000 savings to a certain extent.

Camp last year was $1700 or so for the summer. For PD days, we usually trade off who takes a personal day. It is basically the same PTO spend as we were spending when she was first in daycare and getting sick all the time. I get federal holidays off, and they generally match up to school closures. We take our vacations during spring break and winter break.

Being very conservative about lost income and extracurricular expenses for that 2 year period, the savings was probably no less than $30,000. Still a big deal to us.

+1. This year we stayed in DC and invited family to stay with us during winter break so we even saved on a majority of the vacation expense. Staying in DC is usually pretty great during break time, because everyone else leaves and the city is practically empty.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:You will get a spot, just not necessarily at the school of your choice. The PP points out something very critical- the amount you will save is FAR less than you think. You will need care for after school, for all those school vacations, for all those teacher training days and half days, etc., plus summer. It's not the huge cost savings you think it is, particularly when you consider that you'll need to move for it.

Also...you have missed the lottery.

Its still a significant savings. I get so annoyed by the posters who complain abut $250/month for aftercare. They should move back to VA and pay 1500/month for quaility daycare for two additional years. Preschool in DC has done wonders for getting more families back in teh City and also more families willing to stay longer in the City.

That's assuming you are paying $1500 and $250.

[Anonymous]

OP, I'd only do it if you're not picky about which school your kid ends up in. There are very few schools where PK3 is guaranteed at your in-bounds school, and those are usually not the best schools. As you know, it's a lottery system.

[Anonymous]

We had 3 children in the PK3/4 age range, and we did make the move. It was more than worth it for us, but we did have to downsize by one bedroom (honestly, at that age, it's not a big deal).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We spend about $5,000-6,000 per year on after care, occasional school days off, and camps for our child (if we stuck with the YMCA for all camps, it would be less than $5,000). That's much less than the $30,000 we would be paying for private pre-school. We also save considerably on transport costs (we walk to school and work) and mental health (sitting in traffic makes me crazy). We love DC and wouldn't consider moving to the suburbs.

If you do decide to move to DC, you should definitely get an address soon to be able to submit in the second round of the lottery. [/quote

There is no second round of the lottery anymore, but she can still apply for the leftover seats I think.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP, I'd only do it if you're not picky about which school your kid ends up in. There are very few schools where PK3 is guaranteed at your in-bounds school, and those are usually not the best schools. As you know, it's a lottery system.

There are enough citywide PK3 spots to go around, but like others have said, the demand varies by school. DC does early childhood education very, very well. The PK3 and PK4 programs have been around long enough that even the schools deemed "not the best" have likely had quality professional development and maybe learned from other schools. There might be some non-monetary value to consider if you compare PK3 "real school" to your current childcare situation.

OP, do the math as thoroughly as you can. Everything equal to what you have in NoVA is probably going to be more expensive in DC.

[Anonymous]

if you own a car, that will be cheaper in DC (my wife's insurance went down when she moved here from Clarendon, and there's no excise tax in DC).

The schools that offer guaranteed enrollment for PK3 only have that guarantee if you chose it in the lottery, but they often make a lot of headway on their waitlists and if you moved in-bounds, you'd be at the top.

[Anonymous]

We did it, best decision for us. Last year we didn't apply until Round 2 of the lottery, and didn't think we would have good options - indeed only got into a charter that we didn't know much about - had to drive there, which wasn't ideal, but it wasn't too far, and it was fine, and free. Aftercare there was only $90/month too. We would have stayed but DC got off the wait-list at our inbound DCPS excellent (and walking distance) school by late September, and now life is great. We walk to school and work, DC loves school and is learning so much. We loved his $$$ MD daycare too, but this is "real" school - they have art, music, PE, Spanish, performances in the auditorium, field trips to the museums and the zoo....love DCPS PK!! Aftercare is a more at this school but its about $300. We are saving much more going this route. On days off that we can't stay home, DC goes over to a friend's house or a nanny share and we return the favor when needed.