GeoffM

Kindergarten is optional in California - but it is recommended. For one thing, it's free. For another, I've heard teachers say kids that attended K are generally ahead than those that don't - but I don't know if that includes places like ChildTime etc.

Only thing is, K seems to be only 4 hours a day, at least in the school districts we've been to. The likes of ChildTime employ drivers to pick up kids from school and take them to their daycare though, so you could theoretically be out for the day and not worry about picking them up.

fbf2006

Generally speaking, public education is to start at age 5 in kindergarten. That is when public school starts. Like I mentioned though, some areas have public preschool. For example, New York City started this a year or so ago and has kids starting at 4. They're also trying to start or have started ones starting at 3. These are typically for half day and are over subscribed.


Keep in mind that Orange County, CA is an expensive places so the prices for these preschools would be high.


Many (most?) people have their kids in private preschools (could be Montessori, Goddard, preschools based in churches or homes, regular preschools like Primrose, The Learning Experience, KidsRKids, Bright Horizons, etc). There are loads of options.