Dear Dorie, I have a 2-year-old and an infant and I’m beginning to look at preschools (I know I’m late!). Where do I start and what should I be looking for?
Late Learner Dear Learner, In August, you should be looking for a miracle! OK, it’s not that dramatic but most preschools are fully enrolled for the fall. I would suggest that you start with the local public preschool program (if you’re in Santa Monica, that’s (310) 399- 5865). They have a variety of programs at a variety of sites and tend to have a slightly later enrollment schedule. You might luck into a slot.
Next, check with a preschool advisory service like “Best Fit Schools” on the Web. They may be able to help you identify schools that will have last minute vacancies and flexibility with late placement. There will be no guarantees on September start dates but it’s worth a try.
Finally, prepare for a late entry into the school year. Life happens and people do move, change schools, etc. It might be a little later than expected, but preschools do have openings throughout the year. Identify a few sites that interest you and keep checking in with their director. Good luck.
Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on August 14, 2007. Read the original PDF.