Single Parent with Kid About to Study (daycare, parents, children)

[Nashter]

I have a 3.5 year old kid and would like to ask for information and tips about getting a kid ready to school AND also getting me as a single working parent ready for such.

Some initial inquiries :

1) What month is preparatory school enrolment ? Is this required prior to kindergarten ?

2) What is the cost for preparatory school? Public Kindergarten and Elementary ? Private Kindergarten and Elementary?

3) I work 8am-5pm, so I am thinking I could drive my kid in the morning to school at 7am but what time does school ends for preparatory school ? Kindergarten ? Elementary ?

4) Is it possible to arrange the kid for an after-school program such that I could pick him/her up at 5pm?

5) Other tips / info ?

Thanks.

[33458]

All of this will depend on the state you live in - Google your local /County school district and search key words. Cut-off admission dates depend on your child's birthday and maturity level...cost will depend on what sort of program you choose.

Pre-K or preschool, that I am aware of, is not a requirement in any state, but helps greatly if your child has not previously been much exposed to instructors giving direction or social interactions with same-age children.

Many private Pre-K institutions are flexible, but not all. Policies should be 'upfront' and easily accessible but you may have to interview with them to get the complete picture.

We chose one of two private Pre-K programs - schools are literally across the street from each other. One was hard and fast about pick-up/drop off times and absences. That conflicted with early morning business meetings and want for a less than F/T (5 day, 8+ hour) enrollment.
The other was more willing to accommodate parental work schedules, flexing their limits to a range along with the local industry. They simply have an 'earliest' and latest', not fixed appointments. As the child ages in to an actual state-structured school system, the hours will be more confining.

[33458]

After-school programs are common, but I don't think they normally go past 5:30 or 6pm or else you would be charged a penalty...again - you will have to inquire locally.

[afoigrokerkok]

The other poster pretty much answered most of your questions but I wanted to add and let you know that the "cost" for public prekindergarten may be none or there may be tuition depending on where you live and your income, etc. As far as public kindergarten and elementary school, it will be free. Private school costs vary drastically.

[FarNorthDallas]

This is all so local. Preschool (it's called preschool, not preparatory school) is not required anywhere. A couple of states have free universal preschool. All other public schools will offer it free of charge for non English speakers or the poor or some other specific reason. Still others will offer it to all students for a fee. The vast majority of kids who attend preschool attend private tuition based preschool. Some meet for 2 hours or 3 hours and some are all day daycare like setting for working parents.

Kindergarten is not required in a lot of places but most kids attend. You have to check your local rules as to how old a child must be to attend. In Texas, it's age 5 by Sept. 1 of the school year. Other areas have different dates. Some places have half day kindergarten and some have full day. Usually some after school program is available for a fee for working parents to utilize. Sometimes it's at the school and sometimes you have to get a private daycare nearby that has a bus that will pick up.

Some areas you need to secure your fall preschool spot now. Other places you can wait closer to the day. This is all really so very local though.