Are you looking for preschools in Darien, CT? For a town with only 20,000 residents, there are a lot of preschool programs available to Darien families.
We have some tips to help you find the perfect preschool in Darien, CT.
Guide to Darien Preschools
Nature-Based Preschool Curriculum in Darien, CT
If you are looking for preschools with a nature-based curriculum, then the Darien Nature Center Preschool program is a great option.
Faith-Based Preschool Curriculum in Darien, CT
If you are looking for a faith-based preschool curriculum then you should look into First Congregational Church Nursery School, Noroton Presbyterian Nursery School, Saint Luke’s Parish School in Darien and St. John Preschool in Darien, CT.
Nut-Free Preschool in Darien, CT
Concerned about your child’s nut allergy? Then preschools with nut-free facilities like Saint Luke’s Parish School is ideal for you.
Preschool for Full-time Working Parents in Darien, CT
Do you and your spouse work full-time? A full-day preschool/daycare program such as Chelsea Piers CP Kids may work for your family.
Preschools Close to Post Road in Darien, CT
Typical preschool programs are short. Usually 3 hour days a few times a week. Especially if you have a two-year-old toddler starting out, you may be looking at 2 hours to start and gradually building up in time.
So make sure you pick a preschool close to home if you plan to go back home after drop off or at least be near Post Road in Darien so you can at least run some errands while your little one is in preschool.
Look for preschools close to Post Road, it will give you enough time to stop by Trader Joe’s or Whole Foods in Darien between drop-offs and pickups.
Darien preschools that are on the Post Road are Darien YMCA Holly Pond School, St. John Preschool, Noroton Presbyterian Nursery School, Saint Luke’s Parish.
First Congregational Church Nursery School and YWCA Norwalk/Darien are also convenient to Post Road and Darien’s Goodwives Shopping Center.
Darien Preschools with Extended Day
You will quickly realize how short preschool programs are. Sometimes they are too short to actually have a productive morning running errands. If that is the case, you should definitely choose a preschool with extended days.
In some preschools, your child can stay for lunch or some preschools offer extended day past lunch to include afternoon enrichment.
Fortunately, most preschools in Darien offer some type of extended day (either lunch bunch or afternoon enrichment). Preschools in Darien that have extended day are Darien Nature Center Preschool (lunch bunch), Noroton Presbyterian Nursery School, First Congregational Church Nursery School, Saint Luke’s Parish School, Darien YMCA Holly Pond School (afternoon enrichment), St. John Preschool (Lunch Bunch) and Methodist Family Center (afternoon enrichment).
Do you know we interview locals? Get an inside peek into the lives of Darien residents: The Girl Guide, Stephanie Trotta’s Life in Darien, CT
Darien, CT Preschools: Frequently Asked Questions
When Do I Apply to Preschools in Darien, CT?
If you are new to the preschool application process in Darien, it’s important to know that you need to start thinking about preschools at least a year in advance.
If your child starts preschool next September, you need to start looking into it this Fall. Many preschools will start giving tours and making applications available during September/October.
I just moved to Darien, CT and did not apply to preschools in the Fall, is it too late to get into a preschool?
Don’t worry! The good news is there are a lot of preschools in Darien. If you apply in the Spring or Summer before school starts, chances are you will still be able to find a preschool for your child.
You may not be able to get into the preschools with limited space because those are likely to be full already, but you will still be able to find a few preschools with openings for your child.
Even if you don’t get into your first choice preschool the first year, you can always move your child the following year. Especially if you are applying to a 2s program, those classes are usually smaller and fill up quickly but there may be openings in the 3s class the following year at your first-choice preschool.
Are you thinking of sending your child to private school? We asked local moms to weigh in on the private school/public school debate. Check out our article: Private School versus Public School
What is the Minimum Age for Preschools in Darien, CT?
Most families in Darien start sending their children to preschools at 2 years old. You enroll your child in the 2s program.
Most 2s programs are half-day programs without extended day options (most extended day start at 3 years old) and most 2s programs are 1-3 days per week (4-5 days per week usually start at 3 years old).
Children usually attend preschools from age 2-4 years old with some children attending preschools at 5 years old (depending on birthdate and whether you are attending a public or private school for Kindergarten).
Help! The preschool morning session is full, can I manage the afternoon session?
Most families with preschoolers prefer morning classes. This is due to afternoon nap schedules. You will find that morning sessions are usually more popular and will fill up more quickly than afternoon sessions.
However, as a new family, you are last in enrollment priority so you may not get a spot in the morning session. When I enrolled my daughter to preschool, I did not get my first choice and was stuck with an afternoon session.
I actually ended up liking the afternoon session and kept her in the afternoon the following year. I find the afternoon session less hectic because you can leisurely take your time in the morning, have lunch then go to school. There is less of a rush in the morning to get out the door.
As for my daughter’s afternoon nap, she ended up dropping her afternoon nap and she went to bed really early instead.
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