Speaking of preschool.... I feel stupid

didntelope

My daughter misses the cutoff for kindergarten by a month. I always assumed she'd go to private preschool ($$$) all the way through Kindergarten and then, hopefully, be able to start public 1st grade the following year. I assumed this because no one ever told me this wasn't my only option, and in spite of my thorough inspection of the public school district's web site, I haven't found any useful information explaining my options.

Now I'm seeing all these "Pre-K and K enrollment" notices for my town, and I'm wondering if I even need to have her in private school. Like, if I enroll her in what I'm assuming is public Pre-K, what does that mean for her next year? Is it free? Am I throwing money away at private school? How do working parents even do this if the hours are, like, 9-3?

I'm so confused and frustrated. Can someone please explain this to me using short sentences and flash cards?

knittygrl

do they have Pre-K in your town that is for everyone?  You should find out.  In our town it is income based or you have to exhibit delays/be classified to get to go to the Pre-K that is free, it is also only 2.5 hours a day and they have no after care options etc besides bussing to daycares within the town if you are in the special ed program.

My daughter misses the cutoff date by a week.  She will probably stay in her daycare preschool setting till she goes to kindergarten.  Her daycare has a kindergarten in it so when she gets to that age we may have her do that and then repeat in public school, not sure yet. 

BeachBaby07

Most public schools now have before & after care programs. I know my nephew goes to them because his parents are both teachers. Call the school and ask about them. Many school districts do offer Free Pre-K, but not all so you really need to find out what is specific for your town. Its great if they offer it free full day. You really have to call the school and ask if they can direct you to information to answer your questions

AmyRob04

If its not clear on their site, call your board of Ed. My town has free pre-k but it's ny for special needs.

kmslwsmrs

Every town is different...and if your town offers pre-k, you should consider yourself lucky!  They have a lottery in my town, but you still have to pay for it, and there are like 20 spots for like 1,000 kids.

wed2506

My town's site was terrible so I called the board of ed directly, they were super helpful!  my town offer pre-k but it is a lottery.  they also do not guarantee that if you get in, you will be in your district.  it was not a big deal for me but I know for some parents it may be....we got lucky and she got a spot and in our district.  they offer aftercare thru the ymca, paperwork was given to me the day of registration. 

mrs.marie.g

they may have pre k but it may be for special needs. call the board of ed in your town

how smart is astrid (and i don't mean that snarky in anyway)? do you think she could test in to kindergarden. i am considernig that with cole.

also i know that back in the day (aka 30ish years ago) my mom sent me to a private kindergarden and then we switched over to public to save money and they wouldn't accept the education. so i had to repeat kindergarden. i have no idea if its like that today but just a though.

Kristen81603

our town has pre-k 4 only- and it is I thnk 40 spots for the whole town- or something like that- so it was a first come first serve when it was time to register- it is 4000 for the year sept-june- 830-3- and I think there is aftercare- we didn't use it- 

njmom2zach

Kindergarten and First grade admission varies by town.  Some towns, like mine, have a cutoff for first grade too.  If you are not six by October 1st you cannot enroll in first grade, even if you went to private kindergarten.  The town next door allows students who attended a private kindergarten to enter first grade before they are six, as long as they will be six by December 31st.

As for pre-K, again it varies by town.  In my town there is a lottery process, but you have to be four by October 1st anyway.  It's an inclusion program, so the special education students are included with the regular ed kids.

The best thing to do is to call your school board office! 

debfife

My town has public pre-k it's not free, but compared to what we pay now it's hardly anything. However, it's only 1/2 day. They do at least have full day K.

CLord

In my town, we paid for the public school program.  It's free for qualifying families, but that wasn't us.  That said- it was more affordable that other programs.  In our town- they have full and half day programs.  They also have before and after care programs.  They used the same curriculum there that they use in the k-3 school in our town- so Aidan was very comfortable with the routine when he started kindergarten.  

I'd call your Board of Ed for more info.  They will probably have a parent's night soon so you can check it out! 

Edit:  my town is also 5 days a week.  

MrsGabbs4Ed

I am in the process of researching my town's K program now since Stephanie will be 5 by the fall.  It is very overwhelming!!!!