SUDDEN need for new daycare/preschool 3 & 4 yo

[Anonymous]

Hi!

My 3 and 4 year old (less than a year apart) have been at a center about a year and a half. It's fine, nothing amazing but nothing horrible. Since birth, my mother has watched them Tuesdays/Thursdays and they have only needed care the other 3 days. Prior to the center, we had nannies.

However, my mom suddenly got a job, and due to other personal reasons, cannot watch them anymore. I wish she'd given more notice, but I need to find something ASAP.

My options are to keep them where they are those 3 days, and start somewhere new 2 days, or start them over at a whole new school, as soon as possible. But is that going to be too hard on them? I don't know what other option I have Let alone the likelihood of finding two full day preschool openings at this time of the year

[Anonymous]

Can you extend to five days at their current school? That's the first option I'd look at.

Otherwise I'd move them to a 5 day a week program. Just start calling places close to you.

[Anonymous]

Sorry, I forgot - their current school cannot take them any additional days and suggested just keeping them 3 days and adding 2 days elsewhere.

[Anonymous]

Where are you located? I would get them settled in a new place 5 days ASAP.

[Anonymous]

Switch them to a 5 day program in one location.

[Anonymous]

Check dcschoolhu8.com for the spots section where you can search for current and anticipates spots by age

[Anonymous]

Not sure where you are, but if something downtown would work for you, the downtown centers often have preschool curricula but because of free pre-K in DC, they have open spots. If downtown would work, start calling the centers, including the centers associated with federal agencies.

[Anonymous]

It will be cheaper to move them to a 5 day a week program than pay three days at one place and two days at another place. I would give notice to the three day a week place now.

[Anonymous]

Ugh, sorry.
I would get on some waitlists and hire a nanny in the meantime. Some college students don't have classes Tues & Thurs, or can cover you over winter break, which is soon. There are some families who need a MWF nanny only and their nanny is looking for Tues/Thurs hours. Ask your neighbors with older kids if their school has a listserve.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It will be cheaper to move them to a 5 day a week program than pay three days at one place and two days at another place. I would give notice to the three day a week place now.

You'd be crazy to give notice until you know you have another option. Plus, there may not be a cost difference. At our center, there is no premium to be part time, you pay 3/5 or 2/5 of the full time rate.

[Anonymous]

I feel for you. I've had a nanny quit before but damn; gramma quit without notice! I mean that as a jest. Good luck.

When nanny quit, I just cried in front of preschool directors and it worked out after a couple of months. Used Care.com for those inbetween times and found a great Brown student on a semester off.

[Anonymous]

Hi there, I wanted to let you know of a program that might be worth looking into given its flexibility. I run an in-home preschool with a capacity of 12 children and have a spot three more children. This is rare but we are looking to fill the last spots with a 3 or 4 year old since we just had two off to kindergarten one child move out of state. There are many references available and the program and curriculum are completely geared towards school readiness with a play-based approach. We are in Vienna, VA. If you'd like more information or want to stop by for a tour, please reach out to us at 301-502-0702. I can also send you more information via email.