Not ready for Kindergarten after all - Pre-K Alternatives?
We enrolled our son at Kaiser Elementary for Kindergarten, but pulled him out by the end of the first week. He has an August birthday and was just not emotionally ready for the recess and lunch environment with all the K-5 students. While we had considered holding him back because of his birthday when school enrollment process began, his emotional response really took us by surprise because he is an extremely outgoing, social, communicative guy. Now, we are looking for smaller, alternative pre-k programs that will keep him engaged for the year and prepared for next year. As we are late to the process, we are also considering patch working some daily classes to make a weekly schedule for him. He is really social and needs his community. Any advice on programs or advice from parents that have been through similar circumstances is much appreciated.
Thank you!
Parent Replies
How about a TK program? I've heard the most wonderful things about Ms Green's TK class at Montclair Elemntary. Apparently, she is very caring and kind and older kids who have graduated from her class still greet her with affection in the hallways. At Montclair, the TK and K kids have a separate schoolyard area for playing during recess as well. Otherwise, there are many bridge K programs in the area. One that comes to mind is at the co-op MCPC in Oakland. They often have space in their bridge k program after school starts.
You might be interested in Montclair Community Play Center (across from Thornhill Elementary). They have a small and well-regarded Bridge-K program, but it's a co-op with an afternoon schedule, so it doesn't work for every family.