Berkeley Parents Network: When to Start Looking for Preschool

Berkeley Parents Network

When to Start Looking for Preschool

Berkeley Parents Network > Advice > School & Preschool > Preschools > When to Start Looking for Preschool

Should I have signed up for preschool in utero?

Aug 2002

Dear Parents - need some advice here. Help, a Mom here being tripped up by self-doubts!

My question is - what pre-schools are signed up for pre-birth? I'm new to East Bay and a new Mom of a 1 yr old gal. She's a happy gal and goes to a home daycare p/t.

But recently met a Mom with older kids (nice kids!) who remarked how pleased she was that she had ''done the right thing'' by signing up her kids at XXX school while they were either in the tummy or right at birth. THEN I met another Mom, in Marin, who remarked the same thing about how her kids got into this place that she had signed up for right at birth. What's going on?

I'm a product of public schools and did well, 7-sisters undergrad...but when it comes to private schools for tots I admit to being a novice. Moreover, I don't know the N. Cal area that well so have no clue what schools she could possibly mean? I'm not pushing private over public, but i'd be curious to at least see what the big deal is all about. Can you share the answer to this? Thanks! Cassindy

I did not find a problem with preschool waiting lists. I found my daughter's preschool when she was about 18 months old by looking in the Yellow Pages and calling around to check if schools fit my basic criteria: location, cost, operating hours. Then I scheduled a school visit. I was prepared to wait 6-12 months for her to start, but I found one that took her right away. There are many good preschools that do not have waiting lists. Figure out your criteria and work from there. Liz

I think the deal here is that N.California is now a hyper- affluent place where lots of parents feel they need to pay for fancy pre-schools to get their tots on the right track to Yale. You'll pay twice as much for half the time you'd get in a good, loving family daycare. My daughter is ahead of the kindergarten curve thanks to her wonderful daycare provider, Sandra. I sometimes wonder if I'm in the minority of parents here because I think academics are wasted on the under-five set, and that kids really do thrive under a regular, play-based schedule. If you want to keep up with the people in the million dollar (three-bedroom) houses, then go ahead and sign up for that expensive, elite pre-school. And get yourself a Land Rover while you'e at it. Your child would be just as fine in a good daycare, but then you don't get bragging rights. A regular local mom

Some preschools have a long waiting list--years long--but these are few. For example, there is a Spanish Speaking preschool, El Centro Vida (I think) that has a waiting list that is years long. But others, like Duck's Nest on 4th street, or Children's Community Center, on Walnut, start taking applications at the beginning of the year, for September. You HAVE to sign up early to get in. At the Duck's Nest, the toddler room fills up right away, so if you wait until the summer or fall, there are no openings. Many preschools have open houses, and you can enroll then. Call the schools to be sent the information. The Parent's Press has a preschool list every year. You can also call around and visit various schools. Been there, done that

When I first moved here and was early in my pregancy, a friend suggested that I plunk down $20 to ensure a spot on the list at Step One school. I did so. When it came time to look at schools I decided Step One wasn't for us, but I was glad I had put in the application ''early'' so it would be there for us if we decided to pursue it. I believe most preschools don't have this policy of letting people apply ''in utero.'' The Neighborhood Parents Association publishes a preschool directory that gives an overview of policies and fees. In the fall they hold a Preschool Fair where you can buy the directory and visit with representatives from area preschools. My main piece of advice, having just been through the preschool admission process, is apply early and often--and be patient. I fixated on one school, thought I applied early, then found out they only had one opening for next year. I then spent two months rushing around looking at schools and applying, only to be put on endless waiting lists. After almost accepting an offer at a school that really didn't meet our needs, I got a call from the school I had wanted in the first place. A few people had decided to leave the area unexpectantly, and we got in. Maria

I read the reply from the person who recommended a good family based daycare over the expensive elite preschool, unless you feel the need for the status. I did the elite route and far from taking offense, I agree with what this person said 95% (the part I don't agree with is the Landrover :). Save your money and do the family daycare thing. And put the money you save in the college fund for Yale.

I went the co-op route with my kids and was very happy. Most co-op preschools seem not to have years-long waiting lists. Often you can enroll your child just before school starts, or even in the middle of the year. The preschool I have heard the "in utero" comment about is Step One. Although my kids did not go there, I know a couple of people whose kids have, and they were extremely happy with the school. In fact, it has a large number of glowing recommendations on the Parents web site. So, it is probably a very good preschool. On the other hand, there are so many other options in Berkeley and the surrounding area that you almost can't go wrong. Like a friend of mine said, it's hard to pick a "bad" preschool in Berkeley, so pick one that's convenient for the parents!

Even with expensive, prestige schools, you'll be fine if you start looking and putting in your applications 18 months in advance. And I have heard many stories of children being admitted at the last minute because families moved or needepd to change their schedules. You may also want to keep in mind that these preschools tend to have crazy rules related to age, physical coordination, and potty training. (Can anyone predict when their unborn child will stop needing a diaper?) On the other hand, there are plenty of high-quality schools to choose from. Just give yourself about a year to research and submit an application. I think that when you are about to give birth there are more important things to worry about than getting your child into ''the right school.''

When should I start thinking about preschool?

2000

Any ideas on how soon one must start looking at nursery schools? My son is 14 months old and stays at a family day care. I had always assumed that children didn't move into nursery school until they were potty trained and were around 3 yrs old. This past weekend I picked up a copy of Parent's Press and was surprised to find that schools were taking children as young as 18 months, and that most seemed to take children who were 2, the adds didn't mention potty training (but then again, that wouldnt really be In an ad). Many of them were names of schools that I recognized from this list, so I assume they are the "good schools". Do I need to start looking now to get my son on a "list" so that he can get in? Do most families move their kids to nursery school at 2, or do most wait until the child is out of diapers? Are we going to have limited options if we wait until he is older? As you might have guessed from these questions, this is my first child....I just have no clue. Thanks for any advice.

I have a 19 month old son and am wondering when I need to start looking for a pre-school for him. Also I am wondering how to go about doing the search. Do you just open up the phone book and start calling for interviews? I have been under the impression that most schools don't take children that are not potty trained... is that true? Any advice on how/where to begin? We live in the Richmond/El Cerrito area and would love some recommendations of schools to look at. Thanks.
My twin boys are now ten months old. Next September, they will be 23 months old -- just a month shy of their 2nd birthday. My question is, when do I need to start thinking about pre-schools (I'm an ex-New Yorker, it can't be as bad here as it is there, can it?)? When do I need to start applying for next Fall? And which pre-schools in the North Berkeley area do people recommend? I'm looking for a program with indoor and outdoor activities that will stimulate my boys, coupled with a loving and attentive staff. Suggestions? Dayna

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