preschool "competition"

[aprilushka]

I've heard about this sort of thing and of course NYC is always the worst for this sort of thing, but GEEZ

http://www.nytimes.com/2006/03/03/ed...d=1&_r=1&8hpib

Fortunately I went to one church-based preschool around here that I liked a lot, was accredited and they told me for the afternoon class getting in is no problem. It doesn't cost $10K either. I mean really-- early decision admission for preschool?!

[hjohnson]

Here in Charlotte, it is a stiff competition to get into some of the church based preschools. I kid you not! There are some schools that you have to camp out overnight at if you want any chance of getting your child into preschool. I hope preschool is less stressful in Wyoming.

[MindfulBirth]

I'm an NYC mom with a 3 yr old. Just went through the pre-K registration .

I just want to get my dd into the local public school for which I am zoned (which, happily, happens to be a topped-ranked elementary school). The first day of registration I get to the school just after 8am when registration started and was turned away because they had already given out all the "numbers" for that day. They gave me a pass to come the next day.

The second day I get there at 7:45 and see that there is a HUGE line outside of folks waiting to get in. I asked a couple people how long they had been waiting and one said since 6:15am. They divided us up into two lines - those who had a pass from the day before and those who didn't. People were trying to sneak into the "have pass" line without a pass and I got elbowed in the gut by another mom trying to get ahead of me in line.

The application form (this is for PUBLIC school remember) has a page where you list all the other preschools you are applying to and their order of preference. Kinda like rushing for a sorority.

Of course the best preschools give your kid a much needed head start. Around here they start doing addition and subtration in pre-K. Because the public schools are so bad, there is a huge competition to get into the few good ones there are. If I can get my dd into the bilingual program at this pre-K, it could mean the difference between them picking her or picking someone else for the Gifted & Talented program for grades 1-6. If she doesn't get into that program, there is a slim to none chance of getting her into one of the top middle schools...and then forget Bronx Science!

Actually, I'm not one of those crazy stressed out mamas about the process. I know I can always unschool!

[aprilushka]

Wow, that's crazy.

Fortunately in Fairfax Co. things haven't gotten that bad...yet.

[Teensy]

Yup - here in Mt. Pleasant, SC, of all places, you need to sign your DC up for one of the better preschools while you are still pregnant. I felt like a fool calling up and requesting an application when only five months pregnant, but I was assured there were several already on the list.