It can be hard to know when to start to look for preschools, and it can vary depending on where you’re living, but in most cases, 6-12 months ahead of time. It can take a while to find the right preschool for your child, and once you’ve decided where you want to send them, you have to hope they have a spot available when you want your child to start. If not, you may have to wait for one to open up.
When do kids start preschool?
Most kids start preschool around age 3. They generally go for two years before kindergarten. This may vary depending on the needs of your family. Many children begin care as infants or young toddlers. If this is the case for your family, you may want to look for a preschool that also has an infant program so they don’t have to change schools once they’re ready for preschool. You’ll also want to start looking while you’re pregnant or once the child is born.
You’ll need time to research and tour preschools before you choose one
You don’t want to skimp on the research part. Allow yourself a few months to research, check reviews and ratings, talk to friends or family, tour preschools, and whatever else you decide you want to do in the research process.
You’ll want to know if there are waitlists at the schools you’re interested in
How soon can your child start once you decide where you want to send them? The state monitors preschool enrollment, and there are limits to how many children can be in a classroom, so sometimes, you have to wait for a spot to open up before your child can start. Some schools will only have openings at the start of a semester, where others will have them throughout the year because children have birthdays and move up to the next class. Enrollment limits can impact how quickly the waitlist moves.
When do you want your child to start preschool?
The most common time to start preschool is in the fall at the start of the regular school year, but that’s not the only time students enroll. Sometimes new families will join in January at the beginning of the new semester or even during the year. Try to decide what would be ideal for your family and what you can live with if the perfect situation isn’t an option.
Start your preschool research around the time your child is two (or earlier, if you want them to start before age 3), and you should be ready to go.
If you want to learn more about our Montessori preschool contact us today to schedule a tour.
