No Room at the Inn, er, Preschool

I'm LIVE on the air right now. Come listen! (or better, call in -- 646-915-8634)

I know you've been just dying to know whatever happened with the cheap cost-effective preschool.

Two words: Waiting list.

By the time they got back to me, they had sold out (is that what happens at preschools?) all the spots. So, I had sort of resigned myself to museum visits, organized playgroups, and dressing up like "the Queen" for at least 2-hours everyday.

I love the crown but those corsets are a bitch.

But then, I decided to be brave and email this cool "cooperative" preschool close to town. I asked about their waiting list and then I waited.

And waited.

Until last week they emailed me back and said while their main campus was on a short waiting list, their other campus (close by) had two open spots for the 2-day 3-year-old class.

OPEN SPOTS!?

Cue angels singing!

However, I have to wait until the open house on September 20 before I can put my application in, and then I have to wait for their building to be finished (we're hoping she'll not be a college student by that time). But it looks promising.

And these days, that's a very good thing.

So what are some helpful hints you have about preparing your kids (and yourself) for preschool/school? Supplies? Clothes? Mental Health?

Share them here, or please please, call in to my radio podcast tomorrow night (please note: the current show that will play is ADULTS ONLY, so just be forewarned if you have kids nearby)! I've got two great guests -- blogger Lara David (a high school turned preschool teacher) and author Robert Wilder with his new book "Tales from the Teacher's Lounge." He's the dad, columnist, and author of one of my favorite books "Daddy Needs a Drink" (and one of my favorite podcast guests as well).

Make sure to listen WED NIGHT 9-10pm EST (click here) and call in (646) 915-8634. Leave me a question/comment/email or call and I'll enter you to win his new book!

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And did you see my new Cafemom group? If you're a pilot's wife or know someone who is, please tell them about my group. I decided that I need some like-minded support!

Comments

[Danielle]

Let me tell you, preschool was one of the best things I've ever done for my kids. Last Year I sent my 2 yr old (I know, a little young but we didn't have many kids for her to play with)and she loved it. It actually helped in potty training, she started talking so much better (and never stopped I might add)and she learned so much. She did have a constant runny nose from Sept. to June but I truly believe it was worth it. This year my younger daughter is going and she also loves it - she doesn't want to leave! They don't go on the same days so they get time apart and I get some quality alone time with each of them.
The first days were a little hard for my older daughter but after she realized I was definatly coming back for her she was fine. We preped her by bringing her to an orientation, meeting the teacher and constantly talking to her about going. We went school clothes shopping, and got her a bookbag which also helped.

[Lady M]

I got this idea from a friend - we took photos of the preschool teachers so that we can prompt Q to talk about who he sees and school and what he does. He's still pretty much following a code of silence about school, but I'm hoping to coax him into a few more descriptors. ;)

[Kara]

I am not too sure what a coop preschool is but my daughter just started her preschool last week and loves it. She's been going to daycare fulltime and parttime since she was a baby so it's not entirely newand there weren't any tears. However, we pulled her out of a very large (expensive) chain and put her into a smaller church one. Church preschools seem to be very warm and inviting from all the ones I've visited. I am just afraid she's going to rat us out about not going to church!

As far as what they need - not much. I dress her comforably in easy to go up or down bottoms or a dress with shorts underneath (the weather is warm here). She has to wear socks with whatever shoes she wears and I got her some princess slip on velcro criss cross things - easy. She plays hard so she usually comes home dirty. In fact, she had paint on the back of her shirt the other day! She had no recollection of how she got it! Hmmm!

[Dana]

Good luck with the preschool thing! I hope it all works out. I have no tips. I'll be going through this same thing in four months. We have to register in January for the Fall 2008 preschool year.

BTW, when you wrote about the group for pilots' wives, I instantly thought of that book I read by Anita Shreve. I can't believe I even remember that.

[Bill]

We talked about it a lot before she started, kind of running through what her day would be. But she still had a VERY tough time at the beginning.

When you drop her off, we found that it helps to stick to essentially the same routine every day. Ours goes something like...1) put her preschool shirt on, 2) "talk about a thing" (talk about what we did so far that day), 3) kiss, then high five, then low five, then hug, 4) I say goodbye and leave. If I drag it out, she just ends up getting clingy. Do NOT go back in if she's crying. My wife did that once when she was helping drop her off early on and boy, was that fun. Yuck.

Clothing - if she's potty trained (mine is now...cue MY angels singing), make sure she can get out of her clothes in a timely manner. We have her in sandals most days and it's not a problem. Take a look at what the other kids are wearing and go from there.

Good luck!

[Wendy]

I dont know what you would need to prepare for school. I am sure they will give you a list of everything you might need.

As for clothes, I would keep it simple and make sure she doesn't have anything too complicated. I would keep her shoes closed for protection while playing.

Good luck

[Mrs. Chicken]

Beware the coop. I have to work once a month in class, and I have to do 12 hours of on-site work/fundraising. I opted to be a board member to avoid cleaning the toilets.

See if you can get a non-participatory spot, or make sure you know what the requirements are for YOU before you sign up.

I know of what I speak.

[Cara]

Oooh, I'm very interested in hearing about coop preschools. My son won't start pre-k for a while, but it's definately an option I'd like to look into.