Private Pre-k/k

Our daughter started private pre-k at four. We chose the school because her brother had gone there (and that was on the recommendation of a friend of ours). No competition to get in, although she did get one of the last slots available. We just had to fill out some forms and pay money. I couldn't say for kindergarten, because our kids go to the local public school at that point.

Not all private schools require a major assessment or competition to get in. In fact, many had a hard time of it during the recession when people decided they couldn't afford the expense and pulled their kids out to go to public school instead.

My son attends a Prek program at a church a couple blocks from our house. I love it & he loves it. Competition was not that difficult, but we put his name on the list as soon as they advertised openings. He goes mon,wed,fri 9-12 & we pay $100/month. They have a 4 & 5 yr program.

My son started Private Pre K at 4 and will start Private K just after turning 5 this coming fall. We have found that it wasnt competitive at our school at all. The education he is getting is well worth every penny we pay them.

Our 5 up will start private kindergarten in the fall. She is currently in private pre-K (turned 5 last month). She's been at her preschool since she was an infant. I don't believe it is competitive however existing students at the daycare get first crack at enrolling.

My daughter went to Tutor Mouse. They take children from 6 weeks to 5 years old. In the last year before kindergarten they put them in a Pre-K program that is accredited by the state. She ended up missing the last 6 months of it because I lost my job, but she had a big head start on the other kids when she started kindergarten. I know they have openings right now because I just visited the owner last week. She and the teachers became good friends with me.

My daughter will start pre-k in the fall. She will be 4.5 when she starts. We did not want to start her before age 4, but I found it was difficult to find a place I liked that had a slot open for a mid-year start. (Her bday is in Feb.)

I registered her early, in Oct, to start next fall, and I think that helped a lot. Otherwise, if the classes are full there really isn't anything you can do.

We picked the school based on what we liked. We visited 5 total, discounted 2 right away because we didn't like them. Ultimately, we went with the one we liked the best. You'll know which is the right one for your child -- go by your instincts and feelings.

Good luck!