I have spent countless hours trying to find a preschool for Sam. I thought it would be simpler to find a preschool in a smaller town - I was wrong! The whole process is ridiculous.
Every preschool has more applicants than available spaces. Every one has a lottery to enroll children (all of the lotteries are this week for classes beginning in September). And every school has a $50 non-refundable registration fee! I could have easily spent hundreds of dollars just registering Sam all over town, only to not get a spot anywhere! I think it's appalling and I refused to do it.
My plan was to (quickly!) choose one preschool, register, and hope for the best. I think I've talked to every preschool director in town. Several suggested that I register and put down a deposit immediately, but they couldn't give me a tour until next week. On Tuesday afternoon I finally got in touch with a director who could show me her school Wednesday morning - and their lottery was scheduled for today. I filled out the paperwork and wrote a check, hoping for the best.
And...wow! I am so, so, so impressed with that school. I have worked in a lot of different early childhood classrooms and have a pretty good idea of what works and what doesn't. The classrooms were amazing. They were totally child-centered. I met several wonderful teachers. They all got down on Sam's level and he adored them. We toured several rooms and I just got more and more excited. They do a lot of community service projects that are appropriate for children and parents are always welcome to volunteer in the classroom. There is a big library for both children and their parents. I really want my kid in that school!
I gave the director Sam's registration without a moment of doubt. She said there is a chance we'll get in to the program I want, which is two mornings a week. I will be getting a call either today or tomorrow to let me know how the lottery went. I'm more nervous than when I applied to college!
I hope I'll be able to post an update with good news!
***Woo hoo! I just got a voicemail from the school, letting me know that Sam is enrolled in our first choice (Tuesday and Thursday mornings). I'm so excited. I can't believe we have to wait until next fall to start school!***
7 comments:
Ooooooh, I hope that Sam gets in!! It must be a wonderful place for you to like it so much. And I'm sure they were very impressed and enamored with Sam the scholar!
Fantastic! But don't tell Sam yet. He'll want to go to "scoot" today!
Yea for Sam!! I am sure he will love school!
Hooray...that is exciting!
How exciting! I can't believe he is already old enough to be starting pre-school.
Hooray!! Yippeee!!!!! I cannot wait for Sam to go to school either.... he is going to blow their minds with how smart and imaginative he is.
Congratulations to Sam! How exciting! My niece LOVES preschool and I am sure Sam is going to feel the same way.
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