choosing a preschool long-distance

[crl]

I would appreciate any suggestions for conducting a long-distance precshool search. As I posted before, we're moving to SF, from DC, next August because DH has a great job there. We're really excited and trying to get started on the planning. DS will turn 3 next June and I'm hopeful he will be ready for preschool in the Fall, so I need to get moving on trying to find one for him.

Unfortunately, we won't be able to visist schools until we go to look for housing next summer--I think that's too late to apply to most SF preschools. I'm thinking that we'll do a co-op preschool both because of cost and because it might help me make a few friends.

It seems to me like the best way to approach this is to use the list of co-op preschools that a very helpful fellow BBBer already posted for me, choose the ones that work geographically and seem to fit DS based on their websites. Then, I would call and explain the long-distance search and ask for 15 minutes or so of the director's time (either then or make an appointment for later). I would use that time to ask a set of questions that would be the same for each school.

Hopefully, I would end up with 3 or 4 schools that seem good, apply to them all, and visit when we are in the city for the housing search. Then we could choose one school. . . .

Does this seem like the right approach? And what questions should I ask?

Thanks so much!

You might try asking in the N Ca area at mothering.com (in the Tribes area). You might be able to find some moms who've been to the schools you're looking at.
If there is any way you can make a trip out here before next summer, that would be my recommendation. I think Southwest is having a sale right now, so you might be able to get a ticket for a good deal. I know you said you can't come until next summer, but the reason I suggest this is that some schools that sound great over the phone when talking to the director are actually not so great IRL. I searched for prechools/daycares last January, two of the places that sounded the best over the phone were awful IRL. One of them smelled like bleach and poo, and there's no way I could have known this if I hadn't visited. Do you know anyone in the area who might be willing to help you look at a few once you narrow down your search?
I guess if that's not an option, you could just try to reserve a spot at several, although most of the places I looked at wanted deposits to guarantee a slot.
Will you be in the city or the east bay? If you'll be in the east bay, the Berkeley parents network is a great resource.
HTH

[MarisaSF]

Thanks for posting as I will be interested to read the responses and about your experience!

We are also looking for preschools long-distance. I think my first question is "how is the waiting list?" I think, in SF, you should get on several waiting lists asap. You will probably need to put $30-50 down to get on, unfortunately.

If it's not already on your list, we had Jazz in daycare at one of the Marin Day Schools, now co-owned or something by an entity called "Bright Horizons." We had a phenomenal experience at MDS. http://www.marindayschools.org/jadwo...lcome/MDS_Home

If it fit our budget, we would have loved her to continue there thru preschool, but, alas.... we've moved. (Sigh.) Enjoy SF!

[ett]

I'm no expect in choosing preschools and I've just begun to research them for DS. It seems like the ones here (in MA) want a deposit (somes up to several hundred dollars) to secure your spot so if you wanted several to choose from that may cost you a chunk of money. You'll end up losing your deposit money from the schools you don't choose to attend. And I agree with PP that if at all possible you should try to make a trip to visit before you apply. You just can't tell what they're like over the phone. Most schools here accept general applications in Nov/Dec. and the ones with lottery systems notify you in January.

Good luck with your search.