Choosing the right time to apply and enroll your child in a Back Bay Boston preschool is a significant decision. While there is no one-size-fits-all answer to this question, one of the primary considerations when deciding when to enroll your child in a Boston preschool is their age along with your interest in how your child will learn and grow at the earliest of life stages. Based on your child’s age and aptitude consider all your options before enrollment:
- Nanny: A nanny offers the most personalized experience. One on one care with a trusted provider is exceptional and can be extremely convenient for busy families. Think: no pick ups and drop offs. Plus, a proficient nanny is capable of handling some chores, errands, and ensuring that a mother feels supported while helping with the kids. However, this can also be the most costly option.. Not to mention, the one that can put you in a bind if circumstances change quickly – which they can and do!.
- Daycare: Some daycares open to children at ages as young as 6 weeks… They generally cater to children between 6 months to just before 3 years old. This care is typically offered year-round, Monday through Friday to accommodate parents’ work schedules. They typically don’t tie in with the academic calendar like pre-schools.
- Preschool: Intended for children between the ages of 2 years, 9 months and 5 years old, preschool is designed for socialization and slightly more structured learning… with plenty of activities focusing on play as well.
- Pre-K: This year is based on school readiness, with the goal of preparing children for Kindergarten, the first mandatory year of schooling. This is typically for children between 4 – 5 years old.
The Boston Public Schools preschool program is one of the strongest in the nation, and there are more than 2,400 Universal Public Pre-K seats available for children who are four years old on or before September 1 of the school year they are registering for. If attempting to secure one of these public spots we encourage families to register in the first round for this grade, starting in January of the year they would be eligible to enroll.
If you’re interested in a private approach to early education there are no shortage of options in that realm as well. Most private preschools in Back Bay Boston admit children between the ages of 2.9 and 5 years old. This moment marks the beginning of your child’s educational journey and lays the foundation for their future learning experiences. Children develop at different rates, so it’s essential to assess your child’s readiness for a structured learning environment. When you are ready to enroll, here is a list of the private schools in Back Bay you may want to check out:
With locations both in Back Bay at 210 Berkeley St and in the Prudential Center, nationally known Bright Horizons child care centers serve children ages six weeks to six years.
Located in the Old South Church on Boylston Street, the Old South Preschool is a weekday, non-religious preschool program for children ages 2 through 5 years old.
Founded in 1966, John Winthrop Nursery School is nestled on the corner of Marlborough and Berkeley Street. They offer two programs, a Toddler Program that serves children from 15 months to 2.8 years old and a Preschool Program that serves children from 2.9 to 5 years old
On the Flat of the Hill, at 67 Brimmer Street, Park Street School is a neighborhood elementary/preschool that might geographically be located in Beacon Hill, but still serves many children of Back Bay. The Preschool, serving children ages 2-5, is located at One Park Street and filters their graduates to their elementary school that carries through Grade 6.
Located on 26 Exeter Street, this school serves toddlers through grade 6 and each child remains in the same classroom for 3 years to foster deep relationships between students and teachers.
After exploring some of Back Bay’s highly rated preschools, if you haven’t found the right place for your child, explore more options in Beacon Hill or the South End.
Schooling can be a major aspect in the home buying search. For those who are purchasing a home and accounting for young children, proximity to dynamic early childhood education experiences can be a decisive factor in choosing where to live. After all, proximity to the places where you will travel daily (namely: work, schools, grocery, parks) is a major component of happiness for most people. We view our job as a real estate agent to be comprehensive in helping people understand these proximity factors as they search for the perfect home. Whether you’re moving to Boston for the first time, or looking for advice, Jeff Hamilton can provide you with expert knowledge. Having navigated the Boston pre-school scene with three kids of his own, Jeff knows the area’s school scene intimately.
