Pre-school

I am disappointed. I tried to get my son into pre-school at the end of this year and he wasnt selected. He will be 3 by then. I know this is young but he will be almost 3.5. (it is a lottery here when names are picked) Anyone else ever delt with this? He is on the waiting list but I haven't a clue what the would mean.? Just venting I guess....

-Nibbles

I've never dealt with preschools, but I'm sure things will work out for you. Afterall, preschool isnt exactly the most important step in a child's education. I'm sure you're doing a fantastic job getting him ready for school, even if the preschool thing is being a pain.

Best of luck, it'll all work out.

Our school district runs a lottery preschool program as well.

basically if your district doesnt offer an "in school" or regular preschool program ( open enrollment to accomodate all the children wanting preschool), they may have a limited space program offered in just one or two elementary schools, or in a "universal Preschool" which is usually in a daycare center that runs a preschool also called Nursery school program based on your districts requirements for Kindergarten entrance.

heres an example:

Lets see, our district has 4 elementary schools, but no in school preschool, so there are 3 daycare centers that run a District approved and funded preschool program that run from 9-11am 3 days a week, and/or an afternoon session as well. The cost is picked up by the school district but space is very limited (child to teacher ratio for 4 yr old in NYS is 8 children to 1 adult so usually a max of 24 if the center has the space and certified teaching staff, we do in our center), so they take all the applications they recieve and select the children randomly based on space alone. Some kids get in some dont.

Most daycare centers, Catholic schools, and private schools offer a preschool program, at a cost, not usually to bad financially and some offer scholarships, for a few hours a day, a few days a week. Basically the kids learn to write and identify letters, their first and last names, counting to 100, and many other basic skills. It is a great way to get the kids up to date on some early social and academic skills.

I am a preschool teacher, and I have a 4yr old who is going to Kindergarten in the fall, so I know the system a bit, at least in our area this is how it works,

Whether a universal program through the school district, or a private program, the kids usually get the same information they would in either setting. I work within the district syllabus as much as possible so my kids are ready for school, and the social skills they learn, and the friends they make are wonderful. Plus if the program is in your elementary district your kids already have friends at their "big Kid" school, unfortunately I work in a different school district so my son wont know anyone at his school next year, and he has been with the same kids since he was 4 months old.

Good Luck