Move to DC for free pK3
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Anonymous
| Would or did you move to DC so that you could get free preschool? We live in NOVA and are thinking about doing this for our soon to be 3 year old. Is a spot guaranteed? We'd love to have #2, but can't afford 2 daycare payments, so this is looking really appealing to us. |
Anonymous
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We stayed in DC for the high quality early childhood education, yes. We have been lucky to get into a great charter because our local DCPS would not have been a top choice for our family.
(PS. You are going to get flamed for the way you asked this question). |
Anonymous
I don't think there is anything wrong with the way the poster asked this question. It's a real issue for a lot of people. We definitely stayed in DC for this option. |
Anonymous
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Do the math.
Free pk3 will cover 8:00-315. You will need to pay for after care, summer break camp, winter and spring break and coverage for parent teacher conference and professional development days. So you will probably save about 50-55% on your current day care bill. The cost of moving isn't small. Move if you want to live in DC for the long haul. But probably not worth it just to save on child care. |
Anonymous
| 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. |
Anonymous
| We moved from MoCo to NW DC (Deal/Wilson neighborhood) when our first child was two. Free PK3 was definitely a consideration, but we also wanted to shorten our commutes and wanted to live in DC for the long term. |
Anonymous
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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. |
Anonymous
Where did you get PK3 in NW? |
Anonymous
Shepherd. |
Anonymous
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If you want to live in DC for other reasons and longer term, then sure. But take note that PK3 is not guaranteed. Start your research on myschooldc.org.
If your plan is to move into DC and then move back to NoVA for K, no. Are you renting and would you rent in DC, or are you considering selling a house in NoVA to buy one in DC? |
Anonymous
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Most schools do ECE well in DC, even those that don't have long waitlists. However, I'd only move to DC if I were renting in NOVA -- or if you could afford to keep your house and rent in DC for the ECE years. Most of the DC schools that are good past ECE don't have guaranteed spots for ECE, and of course getting into charters is dependent on lottery luck.
I will say that I feel really lucky to be able to send my kid to DCPS ECE, because the quality of education they receive is so far above the daycare center "preschool" that it's like a different world. Also not having to drive is huge for me, because I loathe driving. We'll probably have to move to NOVA soon for schools, and I'm absolutely dreading the car lifestyle. |
Anonymous
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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. |
Anonymous
+1. I have two kids and haven't driven a car in 5 years, and I'm hoping to keep it that way as long as possible. |
Anonymous
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If you're talking about this fall, you're likely out of luck. PS3 and PK are not guaranteed and since most ECE in DC has a great reputation (even if families peel off in 1st and 2nd) most schools will have waitlists.
The cost to move is usually large, both financially and time wise. I'd only do it if it improved my work commute. And while daycare and preschool can be costly, it's temporary. If that cost is what's keeping you from having child #2, I'd say you should not grow your family. |
Anonymous
| I already live in DC but we are definitely staying longer than anticipated bc of free PK3 and PK4. My youngest is in PK3 now and we may move to MD or VA when she hits K. I'm constantly shocked at the number of people who have a baby in my neighborhood and then immediately move to MD or VA without considering the amazing benefit that is public PK3 and PK4! |