Why didn't Sun-Tzu write about getting into preschool?

The preschool saga continues.  There are two schools in our area which take kids at 18 months.  One is full and the other has 4 open spots for two days per week (the 4 day per week program is full of alumni siblings already).  So if we are not one of the first 4 people in line (the line starts at about 3am, which we hear from other parents is nothing compared to the lineup to get your kids into soccer when they are a little older), we are out of luck until Baby Girl is 2 1/2. 

And so now I am all in a tizzy about schools for when she is 2 1/2 to 3.  And, I don't even consider myself to be one of those high pressure parents you read about who think that if they can just get little Bobo into law school All Will Be Well.  I kind of think that kids will do what they are going to do and you just have to sort of get out of their way.  But the local school is Not Good.  And while I'm fine sending Baby Girl to a place with low test scores, I'm not so fine sending her to a place where she might need to wear a kevlar vest to kindergarten. 

So, in preparation for the battle which lies ahead, I have ordered a book to help me strategize:

In the spirit of The Nanny Diaries, this sharply observed and bitingly funny novel exposes the over-the-top absurdity of New York City‘s elite private school admissions circus. For Manhattan’s parents, the Tuesday after Labor Day marks the beginning of the city’s most competitive and vicious blood sport: the start of the private school admissions process. But for Helen Drager, mother of Zoe, it shouldn’t be such an ordeal. After all, Helen’s best friend Sara is an admissions officer at Zoe’s current K-8. But Sara’s position becomes precarious, and Helen soon finds herself drawn ever deeper into the mounting lunacy generated by the fierce competition. Perhaps her husband, a television producer for the Cooking Network, can give the director of admissions at their first-choice school her own cooking show? As the pressure mounts, will Zoe make the cut? Will her parents survive the process? And can anyone stop the insanity?

Comments

[Jen]

There is a shortage of 18 month preschools in our area but more to choose from when she hits 2 1/2 to 3 (thank heavens!)

[Suzanne]

I can sympathize. I've been remarkably lax during the whole preschool search. In fact, I applied to just one school! I hope my son is not doomed to an unhappy, unproductive, slacker life as a result of my laissez-faire attitude...

[Diana]

Okay, now you've got me worried! Here I was thinking that I had LOTS of time to research preschools in our area and understand the whole Montessori/Waldorf/co-op teaching philosophies offered sometime before DD turned 2. Now I'm thinking I'd better get on it! Hmmm...maybe I should order that book too! :)

[Patience]

Are these preschools (ie 9am -11:30 am ish) or are they daycare centres with a preschool program? I lived in the Beach and had my pick of preschools so these must be some places.

ps. never overlook optional attendance when considering elementary school. Your child doesn't "have" to go to the local dump.

Patience