OT: No bus for Kindergarten in fall, WWYD?

[Aristomommy]

Our district just informed us that due to budget cuts DS will not have the option of taking a bus to Kindergarten. It is a half day (2 1/2 hour) program and our plan was for him to attend there in the am and then go to his old preschool's PM program with other K students because I work 3 afternoons a week until 3pm. Now the transportation is cut and there is no way for us to manage it. So here are our options, WWYD?

1. Private Kindy, cost 3-5k depending on schools and spots a filling up fast
2. Pay for a public school's all day option, 4.5k cost 9-3pm
3. Stay in our preschool and have DS join PM program with Kindergarten students (those who have transportation)
4. Stay in preschool and enroll in a virtual academy charter school to get Kindergarten material covered.

I should say that DS reads, does math well and needs most work on his handwriting. Preschool is working on it and would continue if we decided to stay. Social skills are addressed at preschool as well.

I am really torn, I can't believe our otherwise wonderful public schools are doing this to working parents. Many of our friends are scrambling as well and one well-to-do neighborhood arranged for a private transportation company.

 

[design_mom]

Can you check with area child care centers to see if anyone offers transportation. We faced a similar situation here and the child care centers adapted and added transportation for kindergarteners. Of course, each center only services a few schools, but we found one that worked for us. This also gives us alternative care for days when school is closed, etc.

Assuming that's not a 5th option, I would probably go for the private kindy or the public all-day option, depending on which one you're most comfortable with (cost, schedule, curriculum, etc.) From what you've posted, it sounds like your DS is ready for kindy, so it would be a shame to hold him back due to a transportation issue only.

Sorry you're in this position.

 

[Luv Bunnies]

Does your area have a transportation company like Kid's Kab? You can arrange for them to pick up your kids at school and drive them wherever they need to go. If that's not an option, I would send him to kindergarten and use the school's afterschool care option.

 

[Aristomommy]

I should clarify that after any option, DS will be going to 1st grade the following year. Our state does not have a mandatory Kindergarten. Also, the public all day option does not have transportation either, so my work hours will be reduced. Budget wise we would be ok, but I hate to feel rushed and stare at the clock all day. I have checked on other afterschool programs, but it seems many are filling up fast due to the recent news.Our current preschool/afterschool will not add transportation due to liability issues. Just got the letter today.

 

[poohfriend77]

If you work 3 afternoons a week, you'd be able to transport him the other two days, right? Would he still do an after-school program on those days? If so, maybe you could find other parents at his preschool who are in the same boat. You could take turns picking up from kindy and dropping off at preschool on days off or even over lunch hours (depending on how far the two schools are from work, I guess). It's not ideal, since if one kid is sick his/her parent might not be able to drive at the last minute.

I guess my second choice would be to keep him in full-day preschool ASSUMING that other kids his age would be there. I wouldn't want my 6-year-old stuck in a class with 3- and 4-year-olds all morning, even if teachers are working on academic stuff with him, for example.

 

[dyna]

My state has never provided transportation to the K kids they either go in AM or PM AM kids are picked up just before lunch PM kids are dropped off just after lunch AM kids can ride bus to school PM kids ride bus home my district there has never been an all day option.

Never was a problem for me as I was a SAHM but I have known ppl almost every year whos child missed half of K because mom did not have a car to be able to get the kid mid day an it was way to far to walk along with being unsafe to walk busy roads with no sidewalk. Even in towns there was never any crossing guards to help the K kids across busy streets near the schools.

I think I might check into the all day K myself being in your position at least on the days I worked, then you don't have to worry about what happens on the day your transporters child is home sick from school an you have to work....

 

[brymolmom]

Can you try for car pooling?

That's what I would do. If you know a parent in the same K and after-school PM program - ask if he/she would like to make $50 a week just by picking up both yours and his/her child from K and transporting to the after-K place.

LOTS cheaper and can have the 'best of both worlds'.

Even if YOU don't personally know anyone yet - ask around to your friends - maybe they know of someone and you can get to know them in the upcoming months so that you can all feel comfortable with the situation.

Good luck!

 

[v.t.]

I agree with the carpooling.
I assume your school with have a registration for the new kindergarten students. If so, speak to the principal, let them know you are trying to organize a carpool and I bet they would be happy to hand out flyers to other parents. This would also be a great way to get to know the other parents so you always have a back up in the years to come.

 

[ShannonMB]

I'd probably just bite the bullet and send him to the public's all day K. It'll be nice for him to get to start school with all the other kids he'll likely be in elementary with for the duration. It'll be a PITA year, but before you know it he'll be in 1st grade, well acclimated to his elementary and raring to go! JMO

Good luck in your decision!!

 

[AJRitz]

Another carpool vote.
You already know that you can drive twice/week.
You just need another parent (two, if you've got room for three seats) to share the load with you. You might also consider a neighbor who has an older child who has to be at the same school at the same time. Would they mind watching your child in the morning and taking him to school with their kid? You could offer to pay to help cover costs. Maybe give a 5th or 6th grade kid (not sure how high your elementary schools go) a chance to "practice" babysitting when there's still a parent present and make some pocket money.