Check out Amazing Life Games (ALG) in Crestwood. We love the school! Unfortunately, it is already fully booked for 2012-2013, but you can tour this Fall and apply for next year.

You might even get lucky for 2012. I heard from at least one director that sometimes people get lucky in August, when families who were supposed to enroll that fall change their minds. If you're interested, I made up a spreadsheet of about 20 preschools in DC with information about hours, school year, tuition, etc., that I'd be happy to share. Just email me at babyboynewman at gmail dot com.

Yes, as the pp mentioned VISITS are very important.

OP here. Thank you so much! That is extremely helpful. He will turn 4 in late September '13. I still need to decide on the other issues, but it helps to have guidance on what we need to think about.

Hello.

You are really not too late for looking for Fall '13. Your son will be an older 3 yr old or young 4 yr old at that time?

There are plenty of preschools that offer part-time for that age - 3, 4 or 5 mornings per week - usually morning with the option of a longer "lunch bunch" day or aftercare. Some might argue that if he is going to kindergarten the following year (Fall '14) then a 5-day would be better prep for that but you could try a shorter week with a few days of lunch bunch to give him the experience of a longer day.

The language will be a bit of a learning curve but not a real problem. I have seen three children in my childrens' preschools who had only had a language other than English at home before starting school. They seem to be pretty quiet the first months and then start really picking up English. Might be another argument for a longer day if you are planning to send him to K in Fall '14.

It is really a matter of finding the right school. It would be helpful to know where you will be living, what sort of program you want (Montessori, play-based, bi-lingual, etc.), and what sort of schedule (days/week, hours/day, co-op or not).

A lot of preschools have open houses in the fall or early spring and then accept applications.

I can't offer any specific resources, esp for your current neighborhood. This board can be very helpful - just ignore the snarky comments! Once you have identified a few candidates, school visits are really important!

Good luck.

Hi,

My 2 y. 8 month old son has been with our wonderful nanny for over 2 years (while we work). It's a great situation, and for a number of reasons, I've been reluctant to change it. However, we are approaching the time when I want to start introducing him to more structured preschool-like environment. But I don't even know where to begin. Another complication is that we've only taught him our native language so far (not English or Spanish), but I'm hoping it's a slight complication -- from experience of other kids, they adjust and pick up English pretty quickly at this age.

I would really really appreciate your thoughts on: (1) should we start with part-time preschool? do they even exist? (2) if full-time, my understanding is, we have to wait until the next school year - that is, September 2013 - to enroll him. right? (3) how would you start your search for either part-time or full-time preschool? any good recommendations on literature about getting this process started? (4) I would truly appreciate all recommendations of specific preschools. we live in U Street/Logan Circle area now, but may move within the next year. Mt. Pleasant/Crestwood/16th Street Heights are possible choices; Cleveland Park and Glover Park are possible alternates.

Dear community, thanks in advance for your help. And, if you think I am too late or too clueless, please hold your wrath and let this one go.

Thanks so much,

S