Average age at kindergarten in FCPS? (Fairfax: transfer, preschool, college) - Northern Virginia - Virginia (VA) - City-Data Forum

NWChris · 03-26-2008, 02:52 PM

We are likely moving to Fairfax county this summer. My youngest son will be five in June. He's a little behind in his language development (we adopted him from Vietnam when he was 3) so I'm considering having him wait a year to start kindergarten.

My question is, are most children in Fairfax starting kindergarten at 5, or are many families choosing to wait until their child is 6? And if we wait a year, are there any pre-schools in Fairfax that offer a "pre-K" type class for 5 year olds?

Thanks so much...
Christina

mlv311 · 03-26-2008, 03:23 PM

I know of a few families in the area who have chosen to hold their children back a year before starting K. Technically, a child has to be 5 by Sept. 30th of the academic year to start K, which your child will be, but it's definitely your choice. Another thing that may impact your decision to wait a year is that Kinder is all day in many Fairfax County public schools already.

You have the option of enrolling him in a number of pre-schools that offer pre-K (half day, five days a week). Keep in mind that many preschools are already full for the Fall of 2008 because enrollment started in Jan. 2008. You might want to start looking into a school ASAP to find a slot.

One good thing in Fairfax County is that any early intervention services your child may need will be offered in his preschool or at your home.

Nancy in Nokomis · 03-26-2008, 08:59 PM

I live in Fairfax County and we only have half day kindergarten - so I would look into what your particular school offers. Most people tell me that it is better to wait a year for some kids - especially boys and summer birthdyas- you can always put him into a five half day pre-school.

good luck with your adopted son - my 5 yr old is adopted

emarsh6719 · 03-26-2008, 09:11 PM

We have twin sons who turn five end of August and are opting to hold them a year as well. We have them enrolled in a private kindergarten program at a local preschool and then they will start public kindergarten the following year. They both have IEPs and require some services primarily for speech (they were born early and have had some delays related to that). When we did our research on private programs in the area there seemed to be quite a few but there are wait lists so you will want to look into this ASAP. Where will you be living?

Also, FYI, if you opt to hold your son a year you still need to contact the elementary school where he would be going to kindergarten and write a letter to them letting them know that you are not planning on enrolling him in the fall and will be waiting a year. Does you son receive services for his speech right now? If he has an IEP and requires services, the elementary school he will eventually attend will provide the services. In order for them to provide the services, you will have to fill out all of the enrollment information, including health forms, that are required as if he were going to kindergarten in the fall. The services will be provided at the school and you will have to bring him to the school to receive them, most likely, as early intervention services end at age 3 and then they are transferred over to the public school system to receive services (at least I'm pretty sure it works that way...it does where we live currently and from what others have explained to us, that is how it works with FCPS). Hope that helps!

NWChris · 03-26-2008, 11:30 PM

It's good to know he wouldn't be the only 6 year old in his class. Unfortunately, we can't enroll him right now because we really don't know where exactly we'll live. My husband is still in the process of finding a specific position with his company in one of their offices in the DC/Fairfax area so that will influence were we live (along with the process of house-shopping and all that...) But if anyone has recommendations for preschools we should look into, I'd love to get started researching at least.

My son doesn't have an IEP... to be honest I don't even know how to get something like that started and I'm not sure if he'd qualify. His language (speaking and comprehension) is definitely behind where his older siblings were at his age, but doesn't seem too far behind some of the kids in his pre-4 class. But now that you mention it emarsh, I think I should try to get him evaluated - makes sense to take advantage of any services we can get, right? Thanks so much for all the great advice, you all are a great help.

yuba · 09-01-2010, 05:45 PM

I have a daughter she is 4 and half year and wanted go to school but head start programme didn't took her because of over $40000/year income limit and private school are too expensive that I cann't afford it. Is there any other solutions for this case.

michgc · 09-01-2010, 08:41 PM

Many, many parents "hold back" their kids with August and September birthdays. So there will probably be several 6 year-olds at the start of Kindergarten. I wouldn't worry about it. Personallly, I think it's those of us who are at the other end who have to worry about their child being the youngest in their class. My son has a late July birthday and I pretty sure we will send him on time, and he'll probably be one of the youngest in his class. I've heard from many of my friends that their kids with July or August birthdays are the youngest or second youngest in their classes. Good luck! PS. I have a daughter who was adopted from China. You'll find a lot of families formed by adoption in the DC area.

choff5 · 09-01-2010, 08:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by yuba

I have a daughter she is 4 and half year and wanted go to school but head start programme didn't took her because of over $40000/year income limit and private school are too expensive that I cann't afford it. Is there any other solutions for this case.

Some preschools, especially church related ones, may have a scholarship program for a situation like this. It doesn't hurt to ask about this when you are looking at programs.

choff5 · 09-01-2010, 08:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NWChris

It's good to know he wouldn't be the only 6 year old in his class. Unfortunately, we can't enroll him right now because we really don't know where exactly we'll live. My husband is still in the process of finding a specific position with his company in one of their offices in the DC/Fairfax area so that will influence were we live (along with the process of house-shopping and all that...) But if anyone has recommendations for preschools we should look into, I'd love to get started researching at least.

My son doesn't have an IEP... to be honest I don't even know how to get something like that started and I'm not sure if he'd qualify. His language (speaking and comprehension) is definitely behind where his older siblings were at his age, but doesn't seem too far behind some of the kids in his pre-4 class. But now that you mention it emarsh, I think I should try to get him evaluated - makes sense to take advantage of any services we can get, right? Thanks so much for all the great advice, you all are a great help.

I would start the process with the local child find where you are now living at this time, so it's at least started. If you are moving here next year, just before he turns five, the child find program in Fairfax will be referring you to the local elementary school as they do not do assessments just before the child should be entering school. I work in the schools and see all ages of starting in Kindergarten. What counts is what your "gut" tells you is the right thing to do. If it's just due to a possible language delay,then he may be able to get services in school that he wouldn't otherwise, but then if it's more than that, it's worth thinking about giving him the "gift of time".

Denton56 · 09-01-2010, 09:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NWChris

We are likely moving to Fairfax county this summer. My youngest son will be five in June. He's a little behind in his language development (we adopted him from Vietnam when he was 3) so I'm considering having him wait a year to start kindergarten.

My question is, are most children in Fairfax starting kindergarten at 5, or are many families choosing to wait until their child is 6? And if we wait a year, are there any pre-schools in Fairfax that offer a "pre-K" type class for 5 year olds?

Thanks so much...
Christina

Most wait, especially parents of boys. I knew boys with Spring birthdays who waited a year. Most principals advice parents to wait a year. It's always better to be among the oldest children than the youngest. Lots of the pre school offer pre-K classes for those who are eligible for kindergarten but choose to wait a year. It's the best gift you could give your child and not just or kindergarten, but for 7th grade, and 9th grade, and college.