One year in DC before Kindergarten

[Anonymous]

DC dwellers, I have a question for you I'm hoping won't incite too much flaming: DH might need to work in DC for a year, and it's sort of up to him to decide when it would be. I, personally, am not a huge fan of DC (sorry) but am willing to stick it out for the year for DH. We have a DS who is 1 years old. In order to make the best of it, I'm trying to determine what year will afford us the most opportunity to have a good time in DC. We live many states away in a great school system, so I want to be back home in time for kindergarten (which for DS will be when he's 5.5 years old because he misses our local cut off). What age, in your opinion, would be the best year to SAH with DS in DC and actually enjoy it? What age bracket has the most activities going on, will actually appreciate museums trips, etc.

And I guess the follow-up question would be, what neighborhood would be the best to live in (renting) in order to maximize our ability to attend these activities? We lived in a major city for many years and loved being able to walk to things, so that would be a plus.

Thanks!

[Anonymous]

Does he need to live in DC proper or does he need to take a rotation in the National Capital Region for a fed/DOD job?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Does he need to live in DC proper or does he need to take a rotation in the National Capital Region for a fed/DOD job?

DC proper.

[Anonymous]

When your DC is on the older end of the range, he will get a bit more out of the city experience and all of the fun stuff to do in DC. But then there are preschool considerations. While DC has universal preK, it's not available at every single school and the system is a huge hassle. So it might be easier to do a private preschool, but that costs money, or it might be easier to come when your DC is 2, before preschool is a consideration.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:When your DC is on the older end of the range, he will get a bit more out of the city experience and all of the fun stuff to do in DC. But then there are preschool considerations. While DC has universal preK, it's not available at every single school and the system is a huge hassle. So it might be easier to do a private preschool, but that costs money, or it might be easier to come when your DC is 2, before preschool is a consideration.

Oh I guess I could have added our local preschool won't allow him to start until he's 3.5 because it follows the school age cutoff and calendar. But I'm okay sending him to preschool (private or otherwise) in DC if I need to. (I'm also not too concerned about preschool--I live in a rural small town, it's not exactly some sort of cutthroat educational environment).

[Anonymous]

3-4

[Anonymous]

2-4 yo

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:When your DC is on the older end of the range, he will get a bit more out of the city experience and all of the fun stuff to do in DC. But then there are preschool considerations. While DC has universal preK, it's not available at every single school and the system is a huge hassle. So it might be easier to do a private preschool, but that costs money, or it might be easier to come when your DC is 2, before preschool is a consideration.

Oh I guess I could have added our local preschool won't allow him to start until he's 3.5 because it follows the school age cutoff and calendar. But I'm okay sending him to preschool (private or otherwise) in DC if I need to. (I'm also not too concerned about preschool--I live in a rural small town, it's not exactly some sort of cutthroat educational environment).

I would probably vote live in dupont circle for that year before k. Maybe do a morning preschool if you want to have a little structure and then lots of exploring the museums and city other days and after school. I feel like it would be more fun to traipse around the city with a 4 year old, but the big problem I see with that is just a lot of transitions for a little one. It sounds like he would start preschool at home at 3.5, then move to dc and leave his school, then go back for kindergarten. He would adjust though. The other year might be 2.5 and just don't worry about preschool at all. That might be pretty reasonable and less disruption for your family. He'd still probably get some enjoyment out of some of the museums and things.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:When your DC is on the older end of the range, he will get a bit more out of the city experience and all of the fun stuff to do in DC. But then there are preschool considerations. While DC has universal preK, it's not available at every single school and the system is a huge hassle. So it might be easier to do a private preschool, but that costs money, or it might be easier to come when your DC is 2, before preschool is a consideration.

Oh I guess I could have added our local preschool won't allow him to start until he's 3.5 because it follows the school age cutoff and calendar. But I'm okay sending him to preschool (private or otherwise) in DC if I need to. (I'm also not too concerned about preschool--I live in a rural small town, it's not exactly some sort of cutthroat educational environment).

I would probably vote live in dupont circle for that year before k. Maybe do a morning preschool if you want to have a little structure and then lots of exploring the museums and city other days and after school. I feel like it would be more fun to traipse around the city with a 4 year old, but the big problem I see with that is just a lot of transitions for a little one. It sounds like he would start preschool at home at 3.5, then move to dc and leave his school, then go back for kindergarten. He would adjust though. The other year might be 2.5 and just don't worry about preschool at all. That might be pretty reasonable and less disruption for your family. He'd still probably get some enjoyment out of some of the museums and things.

OP here: Could do DC for 3/3.5-4.5 (no preschool) and then go back home for the year before K to do preschool. That avoids school transitioning.

[Anonymous]

If I were you and could afford it, I’d rent a row house on the Hill in reasonably close proximity to the Capitol (West side of the Hill, leaning SE for metro access). The Hill has a million little kid activities and playgrounds and on that side of the Hill you can also easily walk to the Mall/Smithsonians and Navy Yard stuff. Lots of playgroups and morning preschools if you decide you want some structure.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:When your DC is on the older end of the range, he will get a bit more out of the city experience and all of the fun stuff to do in DC. But then there are preschool considerations. While DC has universal preK, it's not available at every single school and the system is a huge hassle. So it might be easier to do a private preschool, but that costs money, or it might be easier to come when your DC is 2, before preschool is a consideration.

Oh I guess I could have added our local preschool won't allow him to start until he's 3.5 because it follows the school age cutoff and calendar. But I'm okay sending him to preschool (private or otherwise) in DC if I need to. (I'm also not too concerned about preschool--I live in a rural small town, it's not exactly some sort of cutthroat educational environment).

I would probably vote live in dupont circle for that year before k. Maybe do a morning preschool if you want to have a little structure and then lots of exploring the museums and city other days and after school. I feel like it would be more fun to traipse around the city with a 4 year old, but the big problem I see with that is just a lot of transitions for a little one. It sounds like he would start preschool at home at 3.5, then move to dc and leave his school, then go back for kindergarten. He would adjust though. The other year might be 2.5 and just don't worry about preschool at all. That might be pretty reasonable and less disruption for your family. He'd still probably get some enjoyment out of some of the museums and things.

OP here: Could do DC for 3/3.5-4.5 (no preschool) and then go back home for the year before K to do preschool. That avoids school transitioning.

This is what I would do. 3-4 is a fun year. You could spend your mornings exploring museums, playgrounds, whatever. Then home for a nap. Sounds perfect.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:When your DC is on the older end of the range, he will get a bit more out of the city experience and all of the fun stuff to do in DC. But then there are preschool considerations. While DC has universal preK, it's not available at every single school and the system is a huge hassle. So it might be easier to do a private preschool, but that costs money, or it might be easier to come when your DC is 2, before preschool is a consideration.

Oh I guess I could have added our local preschool won't allow him to start until he's 3.5 because it follows the school age cutoff and calendar. But I'm okay sending him to preschool (private or otherwise) in DC if I need to. (I'm also not too concerned about preschool--I live in a rural small town, it's not exactly some sort of cutthroat educational environment).

I would probably vote live in dupont circle for that year before k. Maybe do a morning preschool if you want to have a little structure and then lots of exploring the museums and city other days and after school. I feel like it would be more fun to traipse around the city with a 4 year old, but the big problem I see with that is just a lot of transitions for a little one. It sounds like he would start preschool at home at 3.5, then move to dc and leave his school, then go back for kindergarten. He would adjust though. The other year might be 2.5 and just don't worry about preschool at all. That might be pretty reasonable and less disruption for your family. He'd still probably get some enjoyment out of some of the museums and things.

OP here: Could do DC for 3/3.5-4.5 (no preschool) and then go back home for the year before K to do preschool. That avoids school transitioning.

This is what I would do. 3-4 is a fun year. You could spend your mornings exploring museums, playgrounds, whatever. Then home for a nap. Sounds perfect.

Im the pp and yes great idea op - 3ish-4.5 would be a really fun year and then one year of preschool before kindergarten. Sounds perfect. And I also agree with the other pp that the hill is a great area. Close to downtown things and lots of kids.

[Anonymous]

I am mostly just curious about what job could possibly require you to live in DC proper for a year but you can choose the year

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I am mostly just curious about what job could possibly require you to live in DC proper for a year but you can choose the year

I can assure you it is real but I'm not getting into it. If I wanted to make up a scenario for DCUM to weigh in on I'd have picked a juicier subject matter.

[Anonymous]

DC offers free full day preschool for 3 and 4 year olds. MD and VA don’t. That will save you 40k over two years.