Ugh ugh ugh.
I am not enjoying this preschool search "situation."
Let's start from the beginning. Charlie has been followed by early intervention since 6 months old. At age 3, the school system takes over on providing services. We haven't had him tested...yet, but I think we will, even though our service coordinator doesn't think we'll qualify (since Charlie is doing so well.) Don't get me started on the fact that the public school preschool class is 5 days a week and could possibly involve riding a school bus. (If we qualify and decide to go this route, I believe we'd only do it if I drove him, and we had an IEP written for less days than 5.
So we're looking at "normal" preschools. Here are my specifications: 1. a three year old class, with just three year olds, not older kids as well, 2. two days a week, 3. no lunch. I do not think he needs to go three or more times a week at this age or worry about lunch (not yet!). I'm worried about him being able to eat lunch in kindergarten, and that's years away!
At the same time, I think he'd really enjoy a little class, and it would be good for him to spend some time away from me, otherwise I'd probably just wait a year. Plus, he's been going to the EI "preschool class" since he was 18 months old with me, and I'm sure he'll miss it when he's too old for it.
So my criteria is already knocking out a bunch. More than one either serve lunch as part of the day, and/or are three days week! Or, are full already! Seriously people, it's January. I'm looking at schools for September.
The one I visited, I had pretty high hopes about and while it was perfectly nice, I was shocked at the ratio of 16 3-year old kids to 2 teachers. Essentially, I hoped I'd love it, and I didn't love it. The director was very accommodating with the "eating issues," and said we'd work together on what to do for snack time. Most likely it will be me sending in a snack that Charlie is familiar with and will possibly want to eat as opposed to what they serve, which he'll probably not want.
So the search continues.
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We are going through the CPSE process right now. Does your district pay for private preschool? I think that is what they do here, there's a number of private schools that have contracts with the city. Some are special ed, some are inclusion. Meals are what make me worry the most, followed by exposure to more germs, which is a big deal for Daphne. Good luck!
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