Parent to Parent - Preschool Registration

It’s that time of year again - preschool enrollment!

If this is your first go and you have even the slightest interest in sending your child to preschool next fall, our advice is: don’t put it off! Most local preschool registrations open in mid-February. The waitlists are long and unforgiving if you don’t apply right on time, so the time to get started is now! Overwhelmed? You’re not alone. But let us break it down for you into some easy steps.

First, decide if you want your child in a full-day or half-day program. If you’re applying for half-day programs, you’ll also have the choice of your child attending for 2, 3, 4, or all 5 days of the week depending on their age and the program. That’s step 1.

Make a list of the schools that are within a close enough vicinity to your home or workplace. Stay organized with a Google doc that includes the school’s name, application deadline, tuition and registration fees. We have done the leg work for you, available exclusively to Mom League Moms in the Mom League Insiders Facebook group!

Schedule tours for your top choices. You’ll get a better feel if the school is the right fit for your family. And in our experience, attending tours may bump you up in priority.

Apply on the exact date and time that registration opens — on the dot. You might apply within a minute of the application deadline and still not get a spot. Trust us, we’ve been there!

Last, but probably most important, ask around to get other parents’ opinions and recommendations. You might hear of a school you didn’t come across in your search. And it’s always fun to have your littles in class with your friends’ kids, too!

Good luck out there! It’s worth the effort, we promise!

-the Mom League team