when to start looking at school?

1st time mommy and i've got no clue on when to start looking or anything. i keep hearing about long waits for certain schools and just don't want to miss anything. ds is currently 14 months. does he need to start school at 2? if so, do i need to register now to avoid the wait? TIA!!!

Message edited 5/8/2013 12:55:45 PM.

when to start looking at school?

He doesn't NEED to start school at 2 years old. Are you a SAHM? Do you do other activities with him? If he is 14 months old now that would mean his birthday is in March, correct? If that's the case then he wouldn't be eligible for a two year olds class until September 2014 when he is already2.5 years old.

Personally I started my son in a 2's class for numerous reasons. He is am October baby so he is one of the youngest in the class. I wanted to make sure he had a chance to learn from a young age. I was pregnant with #3 and I wanted him used to being separated from me. Besides a few library groups we really didn't do much so I wanted him to benefit from the social aspect as well. I have him in a 2x a week 2 hour a day program and feel that it has benefited him greatly.

As far as registering early. .. yes. Some of the very popular schools fill up quickly and then have waiting lists. If you are leaving towards putting himin for September 2014 I would start doing some research in the fall because most schools start registration in the spring (March April) for the following September.

Re: when to start looking at school?

Thank you so much! I am a WAHM, currently pregnant with number 2 too. Ds is a leap year baby. What is the cutoff for registrations? Is it different for each school? I feel so lost and really appreciate the info. Ds will be starting a library program soon and I do activities with him but I also want him to get some socialization with other kids. I just don't know where to start with looking for schools....

when to start looking at school?

Most schools follow school district rules that a child must turn 2 prior to December 1 in order to start school in September (Why is like that and not September 1 is beyond me) so my son being an October baby actually started his 2 year old program when he was 1 year 10.5 months. Both of my daughter's are January babies so it makes them 2 years 7.5 months when they can start.

Where do you live? Maybe x post this to parenting to ask for suggestions. Honestly, I started by googling "nursery schools" and my town. I then looked at the ones that had websites, compared prices, asked and did searches on here, went and visited a few after thinking about what i would or would not want and then decided

Re: when to start looking at school?

Where do you live that makes a difference. Registration by me for nursery is Nov 2013 for 2014. Some schools you will have to wait for open reg (current students and siblings can reg 1st), others will put your name on a list now so they get an idea of how many 2's they will have, then they notify you when to register. Each school is different.

Re: when to start looking at school?

Depend on where you live. If it's in Manhattan, or a super competitive area, the answer is you are too late & should have started when you were pregnant! JK! (maybe).

You don't NEED to send your kid anywhere. I'm not even sure kindergarten is mandatory (but the vast majority of people send). I'd wait & feel it out. Personally, I'll start DS in preK at 4. I thought I'd start him in preschool, but it's a big hassle to do the times & coordinate childcare & he's developing perfectly.

If you have flexibility of being WAHM, more programs will suit you (you can pick up a kid after a 2 hour preschool).

when to start looking at school?

Like others have said, he doesn't NEED to be in school at that age. But, a lot of people put their kids in some sort of group/school setting to teach socialization. I started doing mommy and me classes with my son around 18 months and then pre-nursery/nursery classes/pre-k. I'm currently doing mommy and me with my DD who will be 2 in August. The schools near me have no waiting list or anything. You can sign up a few months before the class starts. I would say get recommendations of some places near you and contact them about enrollment times and age cut offs.

Re: when to start looking at school?

thanks so much for all the advice!! i'm in northshore long island and not in the city. anyone know of a good mommy and me program or school around here? TIA again!!!!

Re: when to start looking at school?

Find out if there is a Gymboree or My Gym in your area. Music Together Classes and Library Programs are also a great place to start!