On two preschool waiting lists, second choice school assigns spots first

[Anonymous]

We're on two waiting lists for preschools in NW DC. Our son is currently in a home day care but we are thinking of moving to a more structured program next fall (2019) before he goes to preK4 the year after that (2020). Right now we're on the wait list at two schools - our first choice lets us know about openings in April and the second choice in January. I am wondering how to approach it if we are offered a spot in the second choice school - take it and be glad we have something, or pass and hope the first choice school also offers a spot? That means we might be stuck without preschool, though, if we aren't offered a spot. My husband and I both have walking commutes from home to work and both schools are on the way, so these are really our only two options without changing our routine drastically. Or should we just keep him at the in home daycare so he isn't moving schools every year for the next three years? He loves his providers. What would you do in this situation?

[Anonymous]

It would make me too nervous to wait until April to know if I had a spot. I would call your first choice and explain that you have to decide in January. Tell them they are your first choice but you can’t gamble on not having any spot. Ask if they can tell you earlier or at least tell you your chances of getting in. I doubt they will tell you, but you can try. If they won’t tell you, I would go with the sure thing.

[Anonymous]

How much money will you lose if you pay to hold your spot at your second choice school, and then forfeit your spot if you get into your first choice school? Can you afford that?

Don't skip preschool over this.

[Anonymous]

If you can afford to lose the deposit for the first school, then you accept the first school, pay the deposit, then forfeit it if you get into the other school.

Otherwise, you go with the first one to admit you.

[Anonymous]

This happened to me, I got into my second choice school 6 weeks before I got into my first choice school. My kid was starting preschool at 2.5 though, so I gambled. I had a backup plan of having the nanny stay for one extra year. If you're okay with leaving him at the home day care another year, then sure, gamble. However, I will say it is preschool. I over thought it. Both schools would have been great.