Who, the lucky boys and girls get to go to this roof top kindergarten, designed by a renowned Japanese architect Tezuka Takaharu. I cannot help but wonder how competitive the admission process must be for this school. It also reminds me of our painstaking search process for Ryan’s preschool.
We started Ryan’s preschool search about a year ago, when Ryan was only one year and four months old. I initially felt hesitant and embarrassed to call for any school tour; worrying schools might think I’m one of those paranoid moms who are already planning for kids’ college while they are still in diapers… But like everything else, I like to have an early action plan to feel prepared. I called a number of schools anyway. To my shocking surprise, I found the waitlist could range from a year to three years! I was even told by a school that some parents signed up to the waitlist on the way home from the hospital after the birth of their child. What??!! I panicked and wondered how I can get so behind on such a serious matter. Guilt of a mother and the competitiveness in me all geared up and ready to catch up on the game.
First, I consulted Ryan’s teacher at his weekend co-op school, searched the database of the city’s mother club, met with 4C’s (community child care council) counselor for school recommendation. After getting a comprehensive recommendation list of schools in our area, I started my conscientious touring and getting onto the numerous waitlists. However, this did not make me feel more at ease but more confused and anxious toward the process. Gradually it daunted on me since when I’ve fallen into the trap of turning every minute decision about the child into his lifelong choices. What is the ultimate purpose of going to a preschool? Should it be simply for Ryan to have fun, learn to enjoy socialization, and be confidant while away from home and us? If so, why are we madly eager to get into the program with swimming facility, weekly cooking, yoga class or even PE class led by professionally trained coach?
The ball is not in our court. We now patiently wait to find out what school Ryan gets into next year. But I believe we will be happy with any of them.
We started Ryan’s preschool search about a year ago, when Ryan was only one year and four months old. I initially felt hesitant and embarrassed to call for any school tour; worrying schools might think I’m one of those paranoid moms who are already planning for kids’ college while they are still in diapers… But like everything else, I like to have an early action plan to feel prepared. I called a number of schools anyway. To my shocking surprise, I found the waitlist could range from a year to three years! I was even told by a school that some parents signed up to the waitlist on the way home from the hospital after the birth of their child. What??!! I panicked and wondered how I can get so behind on such a serious matter. Guilt of a mother and the competitiveness in me all geared up and ready to catch up on the game.
First, I consulted Ryan’s teacher at his weekend co-op school, searched the database of the city’s mother club, met with 4C’s (community child care council) counselor for school recommendation. After getting a comprehensive recommendation list of schools in our area, I started my conscientious touring and getting onto the numerous waitlists. However, this did not make me feel more at ease but more confused and anxious toward the process. Gradually it daunted on me since when I’ve fallen into the trap of turning every minute decision about the child into his lifelong choices. What is the ultimate purpose of going to a preschool? Should it be simply for Ryan to have fun, learn to enjoy socialization, and be confidant while away from home and us? If so, why are we madly eager to get into the program with swimming facility, weekly cooking, yoga class or even PE class led by professionally trained coach?
The ball is not in our court. We now patiently wait to find out what school Ryan gets into next year. But I believe we will be happy with any of them.
Here are spreadsheets of Ryan's preschool assessment. Yes, I have to admit I'm obessesed with spreadsheets...
Images#1-#3 from Takaharu Yui Tezuka Architect
