I've been trying for the past few months to get Sidamo into preschool for the fall, and so far no luck. All the preschools around here have mile-long wait lists or impossible lottery systems. One of the most sought-after preschools is on a local college campus. It's well-run, very diverse, and very affordable—and very hard to get into, since priority goes first to siblings of enrolled children, then to children of the college's students, then faculty and staff's kids, and finally to unaffiliated folks like us.
Today was the lottery for the faculty and the unaffiliated, and I got there (in the pouring rain) at 7 a.m. For the record, this is the first time I've been out of the house before 9 since Sidamo came home. Anyway, I got there, picked my number, and sat in a playroom with the same people who have been at all the other preschool tours. We waited as numbers were called, and before even getting through all the waiting faculty members, someone came in to tell us that all the slots for kids between 1 and 3 were filled. Unless, that is, they happened to be potty trained. Every other parent of a pre-3 got up and left. I stayed, and Sidamo got a slot in the 3–4-year-old class, based solely on the fact that he can pee in a pot. Awesome.
I didn't realize until my number was called and I was being assigned the coveted spot that this was the lottery for the summer semester, so he'll actually be starting in three weeks. Yikes! I don't know if I'm ready for it. It's only two mornings a week at this point, but in the fall we can increase that if we want.
I also have mixed feelings about his being in with the older age group, but I guess we'll just have to see how he does. On the one hand, I think it might be better for him to be around older kids instead of younger ones, since he's already around younger kids a fair amount. Plus, he's pretty precocious in a lot of ways—he has been able to recognize all the letters and numbers (and count to 31) for months now, for instance. But on the other hand, he's a little timid physically and socially, so I hope he doesn't get overwhelmed by the interactions of the big kids. It's scary to send him off into the big world without us—even if it is only for 8 hours a week.
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7 comments:
It sounds like a marvelous preschool. Also, the older kids will look out for the younger kids. Quinn has been in a similar situation all year, starting having just turned 3 with kids who turned 6 during the school year. He has been well loved by the older kids and is now going head to head with them.
And, Sidamo will learn from the older kids. He will do great.
I'm jealous! WHat a great opportunity for Sidamo, and just in time for baby sister's arrival (and time for him to be in a fun place you will need!). I'm sure Mr. Sidamo will do fabulously. Congrats to the early potty training...how did you do it?
Cool! Guess there are advantages to early potty training above and beyond the obvious! Which school is this?
Congrats on the coveted spot!!
Oh MY! That's a story right out of Momzilla, or something like that. Crazy lottery systems for preschool. Still, I'm so HAPPY that you got what you wanted. Sid will be great, and the older kids will most likely adore him and he'll be the class favorite. By the way, thanks for the muffin recipe. I ran out of yeast this week after promising to make cinnamon rolls and panicked! I remembered your post and whipped up a batch. I got rave reviews.
Congrats on getting in! I totally understand that trepidation about sending them into the world - B's never been in preschool and I'm thinking about it for the fall. (And I'm fairly certain I won't send him to Kind. until he's 5, nearly 6 as opposed to 4, nearly 5)WAH!! Can't wait to hear how it goes!
Happy mother's day weekend to the soon-to-be mama of two!
Damo will be great. Take it from a preschool veteran. It'll be fabulous for him. We were so worried about starting Molly when we did last fall that we only had her in 3 days a week, which of course turned out to be not only ok but not nearly enough time. She loves it, they love her, blah blah blah.
Bonus on the potty training. I think that's the single hardest thing about parenting. Someday I will share Emma's struggles with you (Sammy on the other hand potty trained in a weekend.)
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