Moving to New York with 3 under 3! Need pointers for pre-kindergarten pls!

[HernameisRio]

My husband has been seconded to the US with immediate effect. I will fly out there with my eldest & youngest in tow to house-hunt.

DD1: nearly 3
DD2: 1 yr
DD3: 1 month

We want to live on the UES and now I am in desperate need to get my eldest and soon my middle one into a pre-kindergarten. I've picked school and will apply but I know nothing re the early years. My eldest is currently attending a fantastic Montessori school and I would like to find an excellent nursery for her and my middle daughter. Can any of you Mumsnetters give me names and clues how to achieve this?

I will fly out there with them early Oct and would like to put them down ASAP. They both have all their vaccs, are bilingual and will adapt easily.

Please help, I am desperate.

TIA!

Anyone?

Bump

You need a professional here! School on the UES is a nightmare that only locals/people in the know can navigate successfully.

What is the other language your DCs speak?

Hi Bonsoir,

thanks for answering. My eldest speaks fluent English/German, bits of Arabic but I think she will lose this as not going to her old nursery anymore. We speak English, German French in the household.

My searches on NY nurseries have only really dug up schools (Spence, Chapin, etc) but nothing before the age of 5. It's a jungle and I don't know who to ask or where to start. I have no friends there and my Dh's colleagues with kids are all living outside the city.

We have decided on the UES because of proximity to his work and 'experiencing' New York as it is both for us as a couple but also for my girls.

I appreciate any tipps on how to proceed. We will be in town early/mid Oct for a good week-10 days. I was hoping to set up meetings with nurseries.

Hmm. My only knowledge is from NY friends who basically describe a nightmare scenario where it is immensely difficult to get your child in anywhere. Could you ask your DH's work for a relocation package that includes access to an educational adviser? I think you need that kind of help.

Try this place:
www.childrensaidsociety.org/rhinelander-childrens-center/nursery-school

It's on the UES on 88th St between 1st and 2nd. I used to live right by it and it looks great. My friend's daughter went there for nursery school and pre-K and loved it. It is hard to get into schools in NYC but call them and see if they can help you with this school or others. Good luck.

hi there - we just moved from NYC to europe, i have 2 and a 4 year old, so i can definitely relate to your concerns (both from NYC as well as new country-how-to-get-the-kids-into-school perspective).

Firstly: pre-K is the year before they are eligible for elementary school/kindergarten, which starts in the year they turn 5 (january cut-off date). so if your DD is nearly 3 now, she is not eligible for pre-K. depending on her birth year, she may be eligible next year, which means you can start the process to get her accepted in pre-K, or - this is what we did - keep her in a good preschool until she is ready for kindergarten.

there are many lovely preschools in your area (UES) as well as on the UWS (upper west side) or elsewhere in the city. some are half day, others full day (kids have lunch and post-lunch nap at school). I personally don't know the UES very well (we lived downtown), but you may want to check out websites such as www.urbanbaby.com which has lots of gossip but also really good info about schools. there are also books about NYC (pre)schools that can help you. ultimately, at that age, the most important thing is that they are happy and learn some basic skills, so i wouldn't want to worry too much about which preschool. I personally changed from Tutor Time (more like a nursery - has several branches in the city) to a 'real' preschool, which had a smaller class size (10 kids, 3 teachers) and a lot less turnover in personnel.

Once you have your oldest in a preschool/nursery you can start worrying about the 'real' school, and getting into a good one, which indeed can be a nightmare. be prepared for long rounds of school tours, interviews and - yes - your kids being tested for academic and social skills...

Hi Bonsoir, thank you for the advice, I wil check this out with hubby's company. Might be the best solution.

So excited, we're coming for a one week recce visit next week!

Thank you kagsync I will check out the link and try and see the school.

CPrunner, many thanks for the info I am not familiar with the US education system. I will make appointments now and see who's willing to accept her. It does seem to be very competitive and scary to get kids into private school/nursery. They don't take them before they turn 2, right?

Moving to New York from London can be great.
See also English mum's blog, nycmummy.com. Useful article on schools, plus other stuff.