Anonymous wrote:Easter Seals in CH has free PS/PK through the Universal PK program. Also Centronia has the same thing at 11th and Harvard. The WL is long, but generally it moves. Also, I assume you applied for the usual charters. Something will come through - it always does.

Is Easter Seals only free if you're income-eligible for it to be free? We looked at sending our PS aged child there and it was definitely NOT free. Are you sure it's free for everyone?

Easter Seals in CH has free PS/PK through the Universal PK program. Also Centronia has the same thing at 11th and Harvard. The WL is long, but generally it moves. Also, I assume you applied for the usual charters. Something will come through - it always does.

Anonymous wrote:Appletree is a great suggestion -- and even if you are waitlisted in the lottery they typically move through their entire list. It was our back-up plan but we luckily got into our first choice DCPS school.

We're at Appletree and it is an EXCELLENT option for PS or PK if you get shut out everywhere else. It's actually an excellent option even if you aren't shut out, but of course if you can get in somewhere where you won't have to do this lottery deal again for K, most people want to spare themselves the insanity.... But we have a Dec b-day child who was a full year ahead before we went to Appletree. They refused to put her in PK instead of PS, but promised to work with her at her level and they have totally fulfilled that promise. We love the teachers and curriculum there.

De Colores will have some some slots. It's in the Brightwood/ Takoma area of NW.

Appletree is a great suggestion -- and even if you are waitlisted in the lottery they typically move through their entire list. It was our back-up plan but we luckily got into our first choice DCPS school.

Where are you OP? where is work? (not looking to stalk! just want to offer suggestions that might limit your public transit commute).

If Van Ness is a reasonable commute for you, then Broadcaster's daycare is almost certain to have space in their PS/PK classrooms (full day) in the fall.

Anonymous wrote:OP here, yes open to appletree in CH. may also check out the BH facility near me at work. But that means commuting by bus plus metro and back every day with kid.

you will not be alone.

OP here, yes open to appletree in CH. may also check out the BH facility near me at work. But that means commuting by bus plus metro and back every day with kid.

Are you open to Appletree, OP?

Agree with the PPs. Not sure where you live and work, but a lot of daycares with preschools will have openings because many of the preschool rooms clear out with free PS3 and PK. I'll tell you that my old daycare (downtown/ Bright Horizons) was really trying to ramp up their preschool room to compete and attract families.

With so many free PS3 options at DCPS and charters, traditional private preschools have a lot more flexibility and movement on their waitlists. You missed the initial boat by not applying to any schools yet to hedge your bets, but you should still apply to a few. Plus, applying late may buy you a bit of time in terms of handing over a deposit that you want to avoid parting with since you hope to get a waitlist call.

Agree with the above. Put an application into Rosemount - full day program.

Honestly, if I was in your situation, I'd probably start investigating some of the daycares that have preschool programs. The one we're leaving for DCPS (Huckleberry Cheesecake) is great and if the lottery hadn't worked out for us, I would have been perfectly happy to leave her where she is until something else materialized. Their prices are obviously really steep and they may not have space, but I know of a couple spaces that will be opening up due to lottery winning.

May not be a great solution, but it was our back up plan.

I'm on 6 waitlists, all wards 1 and 4 schools, for PS.

Decent shot at a few (numbers in the high 20s) and praying for charters. But if I'm shut out, not sure what we'll do. currently home daycare, but DS is already the oldest (december bday), time to leave. Didn't apply to private preschool (and with another younger kid, can't afford it unless full day, which is super not convenient too). Just hoping something decent comes through by September.

what about you? what are your options?