mid-year openings at preschools

[TudoBem]

So I have been looking for a new preschool for my son and I'm having such a hard time finding an opening anywhere. We're in CA. I'm not sure if that could be why. Everywhere has waiting lists and most say that they don't think there will be any openings until the summer.
Aaargghhh!!! Why does this have to be so hard???
Is preschool such a hot commodity in the rest of the country, too?

[CarrieMF]

The school my kids went to registration was in March(they all hold them in March here). The kids who are returning families get first dibs. By the time that is over there are waiting lists for certain days. She gets calls starting in Januaray but no offical spots are given until open registration which is held a week after the returning family registration. Spots are full by the end of the open registration. She keeps a waiting list, but there is less than a handful of people who give up their spot. Right now no playschool here would have an opening until registration in March.

[peachweenie]

I'm in So Cal and we were lucky enough to get into our first choice of preschool, a co-op which probably isn't as popular as regular preschools. We were on a waiting for another preschool and they did call us after a few months. Hang in there!

[The Duchess]

I think it's just a fact of life that the good preschools are very popular. I called around MANY preschools and luckily found a wonderful preschool for my 4 yr old that is even better than the great preschool my eldest child went to. I was only planning to have her go one day a week but when we went for a visit last week we both feel in love, so now she will be going for three days.

I would search high and low, ask everyone you know because many very good preschools have a low profile due to their popularity, they don't need to advertise. And keep calling the ones you like - the squeaky wheel gets the grease, they'll remember you if someone pulls out.