Preschool Population Explosion – Washington D.C. and Hoboken NJ

New York Times writer Laura Moser recently wrote about her family’s decision to have a second child. Why? Because of free universal preschool beginning at age three in her place of residence, Washington, DC. Moser states “we gave the D.C. public school a chance partly because the facilities were nicer, partly because the commute was nonexistent, but mostly because it was free.” Also? That “my son was learning much more at preschool than he had at day care. That’s because — surprise, surprise — his public-school teachers are exponentially better educated and (see any causality here?) far better compensated.”

Three child families abound in Washington D.C.– Moser theorizes that it is because of the savings from having to pay for two years less of daycare than typical American families, many of whom do not have children in school full-time until first grade.

Reading Moser’s article felt like a window into my life in Hoboken, NJ. Every single aspect applies to Hoboken, down to the parents complaining on message boards about the wait list. The Hoboken board of education recently opened an additional two classrooms to meet unprecedented – and unexpected – high demand for the Abbott preschool program. With two classrooms opened over the summer, that brings the tally of new preschool classes to four, to seat an additional 60 PK3 students.

Superintendent Mark Toback stated over the phone that “historically all interested parties are placed by the second week of school.” School began in Hoboken eight days ago. As of yesterday, two parents on the “HobokenMoms” Yahoo! group were still waiting for their children to be placed.

More – Thought You Were Set For Hoboken, NJ Preschool? Not So Fast.

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Kathy Zucker, CEO of Metro Moms Network, mother of three young children and winner of the New York Life Keep Good Going Shorty Award, writes about juggling career and family in an urban setting. Read her MomCondoLiving blog, follow her on Twitter (@KathyZucker), friend her on Facebook and watch her on Youtube.