Just like other mothers when their child is going to be turning five, I was excited about my child going to Kindergarten. To my dismay I was told that in Pennsylvania, my child had to be five years old before August 31^st to enter Kindergarten in the fall. Do I have to move to NY for one year in hopes to get my child an education? (Their age cutoff is in December).

As you can guess my child’s birthday falls after August 31^st , therefore please excuse my frustration in this article, the purpose of sharing my experience is to help prevent this emotional distress for other mothers.

I went to the school district’s web site to find out more information. On the web site there was a paragraph that stated: “If your child will be 4 years 9 months as of August 31^st, he or she may enter kindergarten early”. I was relieved, now my child had a chance to get in to Kindergarten <- boy was I wrong!

I called the school district and was told registrations were not being done until after June 9^th, to call back at that time. When June 9^th came around I called the school district early that morning full of enthusiasm, but that enthusiasm was quickly shattered by a cold reply, “testing for early registration was done in May”. How can this be, why was this not plainly stated on the district’s web site? How would I have ever known this information? When I called I was told to call after June 9^th and when I visited the web site there was no information regarding testing dates, strange don’t you think?

I had such high regards for this school; I didn’t know they gave people the run around until I experienced it firsthand. If I have such a hard time getting what I need, how hard must it be for a child?

OK so enough negativity, what positives DO’s can parents/guardians learn from this experience?

DO’s:

1. Find out registration information one year prior to your child’s actual enrollment year, staying ahead of the game was not something I felt I had to do with this “good” school district, but I was wrong.

2. Ask about the school districts birthday cutoff date for Kindergarten admittance.

3. If your child does not meet the cutoff date ask about early admittance policies, ask questions about forms, information, and assessments needed. Also make sure you ask if there are any deadlines for these forms, information and assessments.

4. If you are not getting the correct information from one person, do not be afraid to go higher. I am sure you can find a manager’s email or phone number in the district’s web site, even if that manager is in another department.

I wish you the best of luck, and hopefully you do not have to go through what I went through. The lord, whoever he or she is to you, knows why we where put in each other’s paths. If you have more Do’s to add to the list, please list them in the comments area. You may also share your stories with us.