The Whole Preschool Thing

I remember reading posts last year from moms who were searching for preschools. Some of them sounded so dramatic, and I just wanted to say, “Just pick one! It’s only preschool!” But I’m starting to feel their pain, now that I’m undergoing the same process for Tiny and Buba. It’s been a long process (that actually began late last spring when I sent in our first applications), and I’m just really anxious for it to finally be over.

Here’s where things currently stand. I’ve applied to six preschools, all within a 20 minute drive from our house. One of them was out the second I finished the tour. After spending about 20 minutes touring the school, I just knew that it wasn’t the right place for my guys. The teachers did not look happy to be there, and the kids were mostly off doing their own thing without any interaction from any of the teachers. Plus it was very expensive. So, that one was easy. Definitely, out.

Last week we received acceptance letters from another preschool. It’s a Co-op school in a neighboring town, and I really liked it when I went and visited it in September. I know Tiny and Buba would be happy there, and one of their best little buddies will be going there. But it’s expensive. Like, at the very top of our price range and then some. They needed a response (and a non-refundable deposit) by tomorrow, which is still a good week and a half before we’ll hear from some of the other schools. So, unfortunately, I had to decline their acceptances into this school.

We’ve also been accepted at the only preschool we applied to in our town. Initially, I was leaning towards this school. I’d heard some good things about it from one of Buba’s EI teachers, and with it being in our town, I figured it would be the best way for Tiny and Buba to meet some potential kindergarten classmates. It is also the most affordable school on our list, by quite a bit. Unfortunately, I did not love this school. The classrooms are so small that instead of each one having little centers for blocks, dolls, trucks, crafts, etc., each room is themed with one of these activities. For the first hour or so, the kids can roam from classroom to classroom playing with whatever they choose. But once it’s time to go to their own classroom for teacher directed activities, the kids are expected to sit at the little tables for about an hour. There’s no space for a rug for them all to gather on. And while, I’m sure it’s fine, it just wasn’t the sort of experience I was expecting my three-year-olds to have. But the real issue that turned me away from this school is the fact that they will split my kids (for sure, according to the director) when they move up to the four-year-old classes. Yes, that still two years away. And, yes, T and I might make that choice for our kids at that point (probably not, but maybe), but we’d like it to be our choice. (Perhaps we’re just feeling a bit entitled knowing that MA has a law now that prevents public schools from splitting up multiples if the parents want them to be together.) We have not declined our acceptances to this school, but it is absolutely at the bottom of our list.

Now, let me tell you about the two schools that I LOVE. They’re both very child centered, using the Reggio Emilia approach. Like many preschools, there is a focus on learning through play. But these schools have no set curriculum. The teachers create lessons and projects based on the interests of the students. When I toured both of these schools. I saw kids who looked excited and who were happily engaged in their activities along side their teachers. Some kids were sitting in laps, while others participated more independently. They were reading books and creating independent projects from a variety of art materials. They were looking at objects from nature through magnifying glasses and deeply involved in dramatic play over in the dress-up corner. I knew instantly that I wanted my children to be accepted at these schools. They’re both near the top of our price range, but they do offer scholarships and/or financial aid, and I’m hopeful that, if accepted, we could work out a way to make it doable. We’ve applied. We’re waiting to hear back sometime this month.

That leaves just one more option- a traditional preschool with a good reputation. There was nothing special about this school, but there was nothing I really disliked about it either. This school is slightly more affordable than our top two choices and offers a significant reduction in tuition should I choose to work as a teacher’s assistant one day a week. I was hoping this school would be our solid third choice in case we don’t get accepted at either of the ones I really love. But, it doesn’t look like that will be the case. After visiting the school last Wednesday, we were sent home with two applications for admissions. The applications have to be returned within a week (so, most likely, before we’ll hear from the previous two schools), and they have to include a $200 non-refundable application fee. Each. The application fee does get deducted from the final payment of the year, but still. There is no way that we can afford to apply to this school while we’re still hoping and praying to get into two others.

So, there you have it. The search is done. There is nothing left to do but wait. The end is in sight. And I can’t wait for it to just get here.