Another preschool question--when did you start "looking" for one?

MrsJerseyJets

Hello girls!

 

  I was just wondering when you started looking at preschools?  My daughter is going to be 3 this April, so I assumed I would like to start her in September (is that how it goes?  September to June like regular school?)...when should I start looking?

 Also, what exactly did you look for when you went?  I am such a newbie at all of this, but with #2 on the way I think it's time for me to get my butt in gear and get this going before #2 gets here!    Any advice would be appreciated.  

Also, I am in Jackson but work in Manalapan, so if anyone has any recommendations for preschools between Jackson and Manalapan it would greatly be appreciated!

 

LisaBRM

Our school is doing registration and having open houses for September now, so, I think you might want to get started.

AmyRob04

I'd start looking around now. It depends on the school but some have crazy registration policies and already did registration for September. And yes, mst will run on a regular school yer schedule.

HarrietNJMommy

Our preschool already had registration for existing families. I think new families can start to register next week......

TSD

If you want your child in school for September I'd be looking right now. E's class is almost full for the fall already. Registration for the fall usually starts December for previously enrolled kids going to the next year then opens mid-January to new families.  

MrsJerseyJets

Oh boy!  Thank you guys so much, time to get myself going then!!!  Do I make call to make appointments?  How did you find the one you ended up at?  Referrals, google search, etc?

HarrietNJMommy

MrsJerseyJets:

Oh boy!  Thank you guys so much, time to get myself going then!!!  Do I make call to make appointments?  How did you find the one you ended up at?  Referrals, google search, etc?

Most preschools will give a "tour". You can call and ask.

My Mom's club has a running list of preschools in our area. I got recommendations from there and chose our preschool. 

TSD

The summer E was like 1year 4 months I asked around at the kiddie pool at my town pool where people were sending their kids. Seemed the consensus was divided between three in my town for the most part. I knew I definitely wasnt using one of them so it was between the other two. I only went to one, loved it right away and signed him up at the tour. 

Reilly626

I'm going with my friends and colleagues recommendations and narrowing it down from there.

TARAnj

Olivia was a little over 2 and I saw a sign up the road at a little church for preschool. I asked around and went online.  Went on the tour and signed her up. They have a 2 and 1/2 year old program and then one for the older preschool kids.

Allison711

I just took my son for a tour of his school and sent in the registration (he'll be 3 in April also).  With my older daughter I waited until they had an open house in March and then did all the registration then.  I would check with the individual schools but mostly from now until spring is common.

atwood345

Now. I remember I started making phone calls around Jan/February.

irish1114

The kids school is taking registrations from new families starting next Saturday, so I would hurry.

I had called their school to get a tour and loved it right away.  It gave me a warm and fuzzy feeling LOL so I signed them up.  I'm actually really sad that they're leaving to go to preschool in September.  I wish I could keep them there, but preschool in town is free.

Kari78

I've already started asking around but to be honest I'm not sure if she can start in September or not because she won't be 3 at that point and I have to call around to see what ages they accept the kids.  Hopefully she can so basically I'm looking now but need to get my butt in gear if she is able to start this fall.

My Blue Heaven

I began looking in October for preschool, I found schools through word of mouth recomendations (called every Mom I know in a 10 mile radius and talked to them about their schools and whether they liked it, etc etc.) Then I called the schools and made appointments for a tour WITH J. I thought I was SO ahead of the game. Turns out I was right on time. I did my tours and interviews from the end of October through the beginning on November. Enrollment for school was the second week of January for new students and within a day the school was filled (last year and this year for next school year too). I found out shortly thereafter that we'd been accepted.

Good luck in your search. I hope you find a place near you that you love and DD loves too.

G