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There's a very good chance we'll be relocating from Colorado to Raleigh for my husband's job this summer. (June, most likely.)
I'm concerned that we'll be too late to get my daughter registered for a good preschool in the fall. (she'll be 4) Is this likely, or are there enough quality preschools that we might be able to find an opening that late?
If we will be too late for preschool, are there other options for classes for her? Art classes, community theater, gymnastics, etc?
I'd appreciate any input - I've never been to the area (And thanks to the economy, won't be able to make a very long visit prior) and truly don't know what to expect.
There are multiple good church-based preschools and some good private ones too. The church-based ones are generally cheaper (facility is subsidized) and don't always include religious instruction. Basically you'll need to waitlist for multiple ones, but generally there are open slots to be found. The Carolina Parent web site has a good list of all kinds of programs in the area. The Triangle Mommies web site is good for information and people may be able to steer you to programs with open slots.
I would agree with everything J-lurk said! each town around raleigh proper will have many different preschool options. Where I am in wake forest there are not as many, most are church based, but you can call and get your daughter's name on the waiting list. When I moved from cary to wake forest (they are about 45 minutes apart) I moved in may and put my daughter on all of the waiting lists at that time. I ended up getting into one, which was fantastic. So, carolina parent is very very helpful because they have a list of the different preschools and often have their websites, which will help you as well.
The tough situation for you is that you don't want to pay for the application fee for a preschool in north raleigh if you plan on living in apex, for example. It makes it tough for sure! I know *most* of the Y's in the area also have preschool programs.
Based on our experience from last summer - the simple answer is no.
We visited possible preschools on our house-hunting tour in June (private schools only, no churches). All of them were able to take my kids (2) in. We did not decide until we moved here early August, and we could still get our first choice.
It was my general impression that the schools were "hungry" for more students, so I think the simple answer is no and I cant see what should have changes that in a year.
Thank you, all. It's reassuring that we'll probably be able to find a place for her even if we get there later than the norm.
Once I know where we'll be living, I'll look into specific schools. It's so hard when everything is up in the air! (But at least I'll have milder winters to look forward to.)
We relocated in November 2007. I probably contacted about 20 places (private, church and organizations like the Y) and I could not find DS a spot. I put DS's name on the waitlist but unfortunately nothing opened. Currently he is attending a wonderful church based preschool and will be starting K in July. I enrolled my DD at the same preschool (siblings had first dibs) in January. The program only starts in September and all slots have been filled. Most preschools had their enrollment in February. Be prepared that it might be difficult to find a slot. Definately make it a priority as soon as you know what your living arrangements are going to be.
Read an article lately -in the N&O or maybe 1 of the local TV station website-that preschools are shedding students like the economy is shedding jobs- daily. A couple of interviewees said they were cutting hours to avoid layoffs of teachers. Unless things turn around significantly you shouldn't have any problems.
We moved here last August and didn't have a problem. Every place we looked at (~5-6) had openings. We did not look at church-based offerings, as we already knew that those would be full.
There are a lot of activities for kids if you don't get into the pre-school of your choice, but it's good to get her into a program, not just for her, but for you too. It will help you meet other mothers that can fill you in on the area.
If no one mentioned it already, some people find TriangleMommies a good resource.
Best of luck with your move.
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