What Do I Need to Do to Put My Soon to Be 3 1/2 Yo in School?

I think that is a good time to put her in nursery/preschool. I had both my children in just to have social time and see what it is a like in a classroom with lots of other kids. I did it this way because I didn't want it to be sensory overload for them once entering kindergarten. Plus for the socialization part of it. Both of them loved it.
For me, as a mom,(I have also taught preschool before and will be opening my own school soon) I needed to feel ok with the fact that if either of them found it difficult or needed a day to just be at home with momma then I could take them out for the day and not worry about it. Which isn't so easy once they go into kindergarten. My son adjusted to K very well and actually loves it more than he did preschool. My daughter is in a 3 yr old program and is a social butterfly who never stops talking. She loves to have the interaction with other kids.
This is a good time to start doing some research. Most schools start registration processes in February so you would have time to go look at places before you need to register. If ours was up and running right now I'd take you on a tour and tell you things to look for and things to check and ask about. If you have any questions please feel free to email me anytime. I have taught in several schools and also ran another program for over 45 kids.

N.

I teach 2-3 year olds. First off I would check with the school to see what they expect the new kids to be able to do - if anyting of course! But most want your child toilet trained. I would also make sure your child is has had social contact with a small group of kids (more than 1) or in an activity. Maybe a child art class or a mommy and me type class - dance, gymnastics, music is great for this age - like Kindermusik etc. I would also read to your child daily - I did this with my 13 year old and it shows! Do a variety of activities this year and have fun with your child doing them!

It's great that your pre-school is free!

:) FD

I've read a lot of the other replies, and yes I agree you should start the process now, but I don't necessarily agree that it should have been done already!
I have a 2 1/2 year old son who started N. School this September, but who's to say children should start school so early?
To answer your question, it depends on where you live. Call the Board of Education in your town and ask them to give/send you some information; or where you can go to get some!
I live in Park Ridge, NJ and I'm sending my son the The Early Enrichment Center in Upper Saddle River. I love it there and my son who DID NOT adjust well to me leaving him there at first loves being there now!
Good luck!

Most schools have open houses in the spring that will invite you to an information meeting, you should get an application then or I imagine you could pick one up at the school anytime. I would call the school system and find out when they have scheduled their PreK meeting. Ask what the requirements are for enrollment. Some school systems run their programs based on economic need. Your child will need to have an up to date shot record at the start of her school year. She will also need to be toilet trained.
The public school programs are for 2 1/2 hours each day. Some children are not mature enough to handle going every day. If you feel it will be a problem for your daughter check out the private schools in your area. Most of them offer a three morning (or afternoon) program. Our children are only little once and sometimes we push them to grow up too fast. They will be spending the next 18 years of their life in school and we never get this time with them again.
I have been a preschool teacher for 12 years feel free to email me if you have other questions!

You should have started the process already. Starting a year in advance is best. I noticed you live in Brooklyn. Go to www.schools.nyc.gov. it seems each school in BRooklyn has there own application process. But figure out which school or schools are closest to you and the application information is within each school listed on that site. I know Buffalo public schools have already started the application process and spots fill up really quick. You should find out what school you want your daughter to go to. Find out how many spots there are and if applications have started yet. Also it's a really good idea to check out the school. Find out when the open house is. Contact the principal for information. I am in the process of doing this with my son right now. It's a lot of work. He is already attending a local community preschool for 2, 3 & 4 year olds. However my husband and I are trying to get him into a public school that only has 18 spots for pre-k next year. So we are prepared to send him to the pre-school he attends right now next year if he doesn't get in to the public school pre-k. Also if you can swing it look into any local preschools. Sometimes they are very resonable. The preschool my son goes to now is really cheap and a great community. Hope this helpes good luck! My husband grew up in Manhattan and I have heard horror stories of my mother in-law trying to get him into schools in Manhattan. I am sure Brooklyn isn't as bad but still a lot of work.

I am not sure how much advance stuff you can do. I think you need to check the school out and make sure it is what you want. I have been through hell and back with my 3 1/2 yr old son trying to find the right place for him. He is now in a school grade nursery to 8th grade. I took him out of daycare. This school is more expensive but he loves it, and is doing great. I am not sure I will put him in a public school when he is ready for kindergarden. If he is happy here I will just keep him. If you are not sure if you need to more your daughter, then I would weigh out all the options and look at every place before you put her there.

I would contact your Borough Hall of wherever you live and ask them. They'll know the requirements + due dates for registering....but I think they'd have to be 5 yrs old to enter kindergarten....

First your child needs to be diaper trained <out of diapers>. Next you can introduce your child to playmates with tehr kids, with otehr aprents. Usually meeting at a playground of the Nursery school and with other parents and kids before Nursery school; as play time and stay away with otehr kdis, the first time you visit another place where kids are. It makes it easier for your child. A first time and good visit with other kids and older adults, makes it easier on you to walk away when she or he does have to go to Nursery school. For each visit away from you the dominant parent makes it easier when they do go to school or with another babysitter. And having a good time with other kdis starts way before they go to school. How they react away from their parents should be a gradual desensitizing experience. each trip away or with other kids, should be a slow transition before going to nursery school. And a positive one. Then it wont be a negative experience when the child has to stay longer at Nursery school. Make it a fun time. And that will make it a good first time visit. and if you make it exciting like shopping for it and preparing your child for getting the child own independance and by incorporating the props for it as a trip that will be good, like buying him or her, their own backpack and planning their trip that way, by adding small lunches to it when they do have these play dates to Grabdma's or other friends, they will see it like that when they go to Nursery school. A good transition depends on these before activities of going somewhere. Make it fun! And let them shop for ther own stuff for these transition VISITS to Grandma and other play dates and the kid will just see it as one more fun thing....and introducing their to their new teachers etc also. This will win an approval from the kid if they have their own space, their own backpack and schedule etc. The backpack makes the transition a fun thing, and you just have to say, "get your backpack" were going on a trip or play date. alway use the same wording and that also will help to make it a Connective adventure the child likes. Kids get used to protocols. Fun labels, fun times, etc. Make every activity with the backpack, FUN! and then when its his time to Pack up for real, all these little test with his "backpack" as the ideal stimuli, will just be one fun activity and every thing connected to the "backpack adventure will eb seen as fun and the child will look forward to everything conencted to it! Its the thing that helsp, the tools for getting kids to take part of growing up! Great preparations all connected to the backpack.....to be just like the older kids...., he or she will make the transition a good experience and something to look forward to. I understand if the kid is involved he or she will likely have an easier time going to Nursery school and regular school. And adjust to it also. Making the first visit as everything conencted to "school" as nice fun thing to do... as you can and staying the first time at the Nursery school will also help it be an easier transition. So plan it right and your kid will feel good about it all. And it makes it easier for the kid to adjust to the staying away "longer each time". These backpack preparations as I call them. So make play time dates a transition to school by planning everything for this "Date" to play with other kids before this nursery school transition. You will find it easier for kids to adjust to being away. If it is done in sequences as this is all preparing your kid for being away. Play dates, the backpack, friends, sleep over etc. all acts with your child will be just one more step to going to school. whether it is nursery school or regular school; planning some tools to help the kid make the transition (getting his"backpack") will be just one more helper tool. If you already have such a protocol wth your child for such "backpack adventures" any play time or visit away will be what makes the transition a pleasant one and easier for you, so make anything connected to his backpack a pleasant experience and you will not have any problems getting your child to cooperate for such an adventure as school. a time of fun away from you. And the dominate parent. like going shopping or the dentist, its how you tackle each set of protocols (each activity) with your child before going to school is going to make it easier on you and the child. Having the backpack as part of every going out or adventure and this way the child just sees it as one more fun thing. Plan every detail worked out ahead of time for such play dates". which will make the transition easier for your child . each time your away should be done easier. which is what its all about... getting kids prepared for independant living away from you the parent! One step at a time. each step will lead to the next and each success will help towards any away adventure.... going to school or nursery school. Good luck. Hope I expalined it well .