Anonymous
Post 07/09/2013 19:42     Subject: What are my options with kids under 5 years old?
Anonymous wrote:hi everyone,
I have one year old twins and am not yet familiar with how the school system works in this area.
What's the earliest my kids can enter the public school/ kindergarten system? Is it at age 5? Is there nothing public/ free under the age of 5?

We currently live in NW DC, but will probably have to move to Montgomery County for the public school system.
Thanks!


Moco has a September 1 cutoff. So kids have to be 5 by that date to start K. If they are not, they go to preschool, pre-k, daycare or whatever you want to call it. Nothing is free in moco unless you qualify via your income (which I assume would have to be on the lower side). Of course, you could see if they can get into a private K and then redo K in public the next year. If they turn 5 within the first 6 weeks of school you can have them tested in to K early. It's not that easy to do though.

Of course, nothing states they have to do preschool of any kind before K. If you are a SAHM they can just stay at home with you. That's free. Or, you can have them do a 2-3 morning a week preschool (or a co-op of some sort). If you work, then it's most likely going to be full-time daycare with a preschool component that you will pay for.
Anonymous
Post 07/09/2013 13:34     Subject: What are my options with kids under 5 years old?
DD was accepted EEK and was 4 when she began kindergarten (but turned five the second week of school).

Good luck!
Anonymous
Post 07/04/2013 15:22     Subject: What are my options with kids under 5 years old?
If you can afford Montessori for a few years do that. Worth it,
Anonymous
Post 06/21/2013 19:05     Subject: What are my options with kids under 5 years old?
DCps includes preK for all, mcps does not.
Move in between these years, and keep an eye on any mcps deterioration in the meantime.
Anonymous
Post 06/21/2013 09:10     Subject: What are my options with kids under 5 years old?
Yes, there are income requirements for eligibility for Head Start, including MCPS pre-K through Head Start.
Anonymous
Post 06/21/2013 08:55     Subject: What are my options with kids under 5 years old?
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Is there nothing public/ free under the age of 5?


There is pre-K for children who are 4 by September 1, through Head Start.

http://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/departments/earlychildhood/prek/registration.aspx


This is for low income only.
Anonymous
Post 06/21/2013 06:56     Subject: What are my options with kids under 5 years old?
FYI, OP, MoCo also has free public schooling for younger children with SN.

But if you're looking to find free public programs at an earlier age, maybe you should stay put - DCPS starts at 3yo.
Anonymous
Post 06/21/2013 05:57     Subject: What are my options with kids under 5 years old?
Anonymous wrote:Is there nothing public/ free under the age of 5?


There is pre-K for children who are 4 by September 1, through Head Start.

http://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/departments/earlychildhood/prek/registration.aspx
Anonymous
Post 06/21/2013 00:44     Subject: What are my options with kids under 5 years old?
In Montgomery County, free public school starts at kindergarten, and they have to be 5 by September 1st. If they will turn 5 before mid-October (I think the date is 10/15, but not sure) you can apply for early entrance, but the application process and tests are difficult.
Anonymous
Post 06/20/2013 23:59     Subject: What are my options with kids under 5 years old?
hi everyone,
I have one year old twins and am not yet familiar with how the school system works in this area.
What's the earliest my kids can enter the public school/ kindergarten system? Is it at age 5? Is there nothing public/ free under the age of 5?

We currently live in NW DC, but will probably have to move to Montgomery County for the public school system.
Thanks!