School start date for PreK3

[Anonymous]

We just received a welcome packet from our new school that claims that PreK3 isn't starting until SEPTEMBER 25. When we heard they would phase in the little ones, we assumed this was over the first week of school not the first month. Is this correct? Can anyone else confirm or deny? If this is true, we need to find alternate childcare ASAP.

[Anonymous]

What school? They dont' all have the same start dates or policies.

It could also be a typo. Don't freak out yet - call Monday morning.

[Anonymous]

Turns out it's not a typo. There was a reference to this particular phase-in model a few years back in the forums. I don't want to out the school because I'm trying to give them a chance, but their communication was really lacking here. This is the first we've heard from them since registration in May. I was wondering if something had gotten lost in the mail and had planned to call this week to check on things since we're only 3 weeks out. But surprise, we're actually 8 weeks out.

So, we're kind of screwed unless our daycare can bail us out and let us keep the spot a bit longer. The sad part is that they do the extended transition to make it less disruptive, but it's going to be far worse if we end up having to find a random babysitter for a month.

Sorry, /vent.

To put it down in the official DCUM record, despite what the website says (https://dcps.dc.gov/ece) not all DCPS phase in PreK3 the first week. And not all schools explain this on their website or in other correspondence. You should ask before the summer so you can plan for it.

[Anonymous]

I'd call the instructional superintendent over your school and complaint about the late start and the poor communication.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Turns out it's not a typo. There was a reference to this particular phase-in model a few years back in the forums. I don't want to out the school because I'm trying to give them a chance, but their communication was really lacking here. This is the first we've heard from them since registration in May. I was wondering if something had gotten lost in the mail and had planned to call this week to check on things since we're only 3 weeks out. But surprise, we're actually 8 weeks out.

So, we're kind of screwed unless our daycare can bail us out and let us keep the spot a bit longer. The sad part is that they do the extended transition to make it less disruptive, but it's going to be far worse if we end up having to find a random babysitter for a month.

Sorry, /vent.

To put it down in the official DCUM record, despite what the website says (https://dcps.dc.gov/ece) not all DCPS phase in PreK3 the first week. And not all schools explain this on their website or in other correspondence. You should ask before the summer so you can plan for it.

IS this a DCPS?
The only one I'd give latitude for is CHML. All Montessoris phase in, and usually from oldest to youngest.

[Anonymous]

The phase-in isn't a big deal. It makes a lot of sense. The problem is not mentioning it until now.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Turns out it's not a typo. There was a reference to this particular phase-in model a few years back in the forums. I don't want to out the school because I'm trying to give them a chance, but their communication was really lacking here. This is the first we've heard from them since registration in May. I was wondering if something had gotten lost in the mail and had planned to call this week to check on things since we're only 3 weeks out. But surprise, we're actually 8 weeks out.

So, we're kind of screwed unless our daycare can bail us out and let us keep the spot a bit longer. The sad part is that they do the extended transition to make it less disruptive, but it's going to be far worse if we end up having to find a random babysitter for a month.

Sorry, /vent.

To put it down in the official DCUM record, despite what the website says (https://dcps.dc.gov/ece) not all DCPS phase in PreK3 the first week. And not all schools explain this on their website or in other correspondence. You should ask before the summer so you can plan for it.

IS this a DCPS?
The only one I'd give latitude for is CHML. All Montessoris phase in, and usually from oldest to youngest.

Not all Montessoris phase in to that degree -- 1-2 days is typical here. Five weeks is excessive and shouldn't be allowed and frankly is a way of constructing a barrier to families who can't afford to find day care for that extra month.

[Anonymous]

Wow, that is late. Our DC charter starts a month earlier.

[Anonymous]

I'm guessing this is CHML. My friend's kid was the last one to start in Pk3 and it was late September. They phase in something like one kid a day at that school. Sorry OP.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'm guessing this is CHML. My friend's kid was the last one to start in Pk3 and it was late September. They phase in something like one kid a day at that school. Sorry OP.

I would complain loudly about this.

[Anonymous]

Sep 25 is ridiculous. If a kid needs 5 weeks of phase in, they aren't ready for school. Almost all these kids have been in full time day care, school is not a big deal.
Sounds like the school is poorly managed.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Sep 25 is ridiculous. If a kid needs 5 weeks of phase in, they aren't ready for school. Almost all these kids have been in full time day care, school is not a big deal.
Sounds like the school is poorly managed.

You know nothing about how a Montessori is run. This is standard, and is a way to allow each child to receive a flurry of presentations so they have materials available to work on.

[Anonymous]

But no other public Montessori in DC does this.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Sep 25 is ridiculous. If a kid needs 5 weeks of phase in, they aren't ready for school. Almost all these kids have been in full time day care, school is not a big deal.
Sounds like the school is poorly managed.

You know nothing about how a Montessori is run. This is standard, and is a way to allow each child to receive a flurry of presentations so they have materials available to work on.

No, it isn't. Lee is the most 'strict" Montessori in the city and doesn't phase in one child at a time.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Sep 25 is ridiculous. If a kid needs 5 weeks of phase in, they aren't ready for school. Almost all these kids have been in full time day care, school is not a big deal.
Sounds like the school is poorly managed.

You know nothing about how a Montessori is run. This is standard, and is a way to allow each child to receive a flurry of presentations so they have materials available to work on.

Aside from the child care headache, it seems really unfair to the kids starting last. They get a month less school than the kids who start first -- that's 10% of the year!