how long would you "wait in line" to get a spot in a preschool?

DandR · February 2010

We lucked out and signed Tay up for preschool before this particular one opened, it wasn't well known since it was new, we knew the director and got the inside scoop about it. Then the next year, we could do early enrollment for Audrey. And we got to do early enrollment for Mitch too as an existing family, so he's set for next year for the 3 year old program, and will be in the 4 year old program fine, I'm sure. But in the 2 years that its been open, its gotten ridiculous popular.

I was talking to one of the other mom's, who said her sister decided she wanted her kids at the preschool, so she showed up the morning that open enrollment started for the public at 6:30. (Open ennrollment started at 8:00). BUT....she wasn't even the first one there...there were people who had been waiting there since 2:00!!!!!!!!

Would you "camp out" to get your kid in a preschool? I am not sure that I would have done that if we weren't able to get our kids in already......

veloelle · February 2010

no.

isabella22 · February 2010

People here camp out at 4 am to get into the public preschool that is awesome by our house.

DD is in a private preschool, which means less camping but more money, LOL.

CleoKitty · February 2010

No way. I'll put my kid's name on a waitlist when they're still an infant, but I'm not about to camp out for a preschool spot.

ValAndRyan · February 2010

It depends. If I have one or two other kids going to the school and the other option for my 2 yo would be another school out of the way, then yes, I may stand in line just to make life easier for drop-offs and pick-ups but if it's my only one or there's another place not particularly out of the way to take my kid, then hellz no.

stillhoping · February 2010

that is why my children were not put in Georgia PreK this year. Did not want to wait in line over night

happy-honey · February 2010

For the right school, yes. I haven't found a school that was that right for us.

KrisBriMcBunny · February 2010

I honestly dont know what I would do. I never had to wait in line because I started her in the 2 yr old program which is not in high demand. Since she was already a student she has a guaranteed spot for the 3 yr old program & the UPK program.

Mominator · February 2010

Hellz no.

JOEBunny · February 2010

Last year people camped out for our pre-k at our local elementary school for 6 days, yep, 6 days. They are not having pre-k there this year. I am currently weighing whether to put DD in full time daycare so I can get a spot in the "free" pre-k that is steps from my house and very good. It would cost me $4900, about the same as private pre-k to keep her in daycare until she would get the free spot. I don't really want to send her to preschool 32.5 hours a week, but that is what the free program is, so I think we are going to turn it down and pay the same for 1/2 the time.

penguingrrl · February 2010

No way.

SaraSmile · February 2010

I think it depends on where you live. I saw this special on HBO about pre-school in NYC ... holy crap!

cokt · February 2010

When I was little my mom and aunt stayed in line overnight to get me and my cousin in the preschool they wanted for us. Crazy! I have had James on a waitlist for a while, but I did not have to do anything crazy like wait in line all night.