Any tips for getting a 4 1/2 year old into public school Pre-K?

Question

It's not that he needs Pre-K, he is very bright. It's just the routing thing and going from Mennonite day care to Full Day Kindergarten in the next two years that worries me. I think that if I can get him into Pre-K the transition will be easier. Your thoughts? Also, I don't want to train to play dumb just so he makes it, but do you have any other helpful tips?

Answer 1

call the school and ask for a free screening.

Just say that you are concerned about your child going to be going into a full day program. Just tell that you are not sure if he is ready. (Its not lying...just walking around the edges)

There are full day preschools that are private and public...Check into head start..or a combined program..some have sliding scale fees...

call Dept of education...for area preschools or your local Office for child care services.

good luck!

I think he will be fine..they ease them into it...

ask your local kindergarten for a tour of the school..etc.

Answer 2

Try local school early childhood programs or headstart programs. Headstarts has a small percentage of children whose parents are over-income.

Answer 3

I guess we do things different in Saskatchewan the you do.My kids elementary school offers a pre- kindergarten class,the child can be in it for 2 years.My child started when she was three,the second year she will be four.You have to be 5 to be in kindergarten.Its available to all families regardless of  economical back ground.It is funded by the school district.We also have pre-school in which the parents pay for and their typically not run out of a school,but they can be in a school.They programs help to prepare the kids for kindergarten.It has really helped my daughter,as kids are learning at a much faster rate then i did as a kid.In kindergarten out here the will be expected to read and do math such as addition and subtraction.Not sure if its the same where you are from.

Answer 4

In FL, there is VPK that is free and it is a good transition.

Answer 5

Public School PreK is what once was the Head Start Program.

It exists for those who are:

Economically disadvantaged

Learning Disabled

Otherwise At-Risk

Good Luck....

Answer 6

i just registered my son for public pre-k. they have testing to see if he qualifies,( i.e. read yet, write legibly, knows names-address-phone-tie shoes.) if he knows all this stuff he most likely will not get in. my son is pretty smart but he still needs work on some of this. so im hoping he gets in. in my area there are only 40 spots and its only half a day. 20 in morning 20 at night. they also have programs for day care kids, ride bus to daycare when class is over or to school from daycare. you don't need to make him play dumb just let him be himself and he should get in plus the age is right for being in accepted part anyways. so good luck on all this.

Answer 7

Some public pre-K schools have a waiting list, so you may not even have an option.

Since he is accustomed to being in a group of children, he will probably do well even if he doesn't get into the program.

It may be helpful to ask for a list of expectations for the kindergarten he will be attending and work on those things with him, but don't push so hard that he resents learning.  The love of learning is the best thing he can bring with him to  school.