Instead of writing a novel on our past childcare experiences, I will simply share that Miss Ava was accepted into the UPK program in our district! WAHOO!
Mila attended a preschool program at a local church (such a long story, but we had Mila in a program, then we left, and it was too late to get her into UPK) and she went there 3 days a week prior to starting Kindergarten.
We loved the preschool program Mila attended, so when Ava aged into the program (age 3 by December 1) for the 3's class, I was excited to sign her up.
Her birthday is late, so she misses the cut off in our district - by 19 days. I get it though, there needs to be a cut off at some point.
But, she needs to be in school. She needs to be stimulated. She needs to be active and she needs to be with other kids. She thrives being with others.
So Ava now attends the 3's class, two days per week, for 2.5 hours. I'm lucky that I get to bring her one day per week, and Steve brings her the other day. Our daycare provider we have now (I LOVE HER) picks her up after preschool and brings her back to her house for the rest of the day. Works perfectly.
Not all parents choose to enroll their 3 year old (hell, not all parents enroll for 4's preschool, nor is it a requirement to attend K), but I always felt that my kids needed it. Needed some level of preschool. I basically needed them to learn how to learn and listen to other adults and be social.
And, both my girls have learned a ton from preschool and I just generally love them.
For this fall, we could have chosen to keep Ava where she is, at the same preschool at the church, just in the 4's class. This would be either 3 days per week or 5 days (we would be able to choose).
But, it costs money.
I think when Mila attended, it was around $160/month? That, on top of daycare.
Right now, because it's only 2 days per week, I think we pay $100/month. Plus daycare.
Our district (like many others) offers a FREE Universal Pre-K program for the kiddos who will be ready for K in a year.
It's 5 days per week, for 2.5 hours per day.
And, it's lottery based.
There are several locations and two time periods to choose from.
I wanted Ava to go to the school, because that's where Mila goes (so, convenient AND Ava would get used to going there).
I also wanted Ava to have the morning session, because let's be real - she would not do well in a 12:30 - 3pm class. She'd be miserable, tired and cranky. She's at that awkward stage of needing a nap, but not needing a nap.
But I was worried. I heard not everyone gets into the lottery. We had missed the cut off for registration at her current school (we missed it due to the $75 non-refundable deposit) and we were just hoping she got accepted into UPK.
If she didn't, well, we'd be screwed.
Well, the stars have aligned and not only did she get in, we got what we wanted.
Ava will be going to the same school at Mila next year and will attend the morning session.
Steve is excited because that means for next year he won't have to get up early to get Mila on the bus, he will drive them both (Ava will not have transportation and since it's at the school, he may as well drive Mila too!) He gets an extra half hour if he drives vs. if she takes the bus. It's a long bus ride for Mila - about 40 minutes so she loves getting a ride.
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