My two-year-old started preschool yesterday. Enrolling him in that school was relatively painless. But that’s because he’s going to a school where the learning is entirely play-based and focuses on exploration and social skills, rather than academics. He’s already been learning to read, loves books, and is actually learning some math, here at home with us. He knows all the planets, most of the moons, speaks in compound sentences, and can count to twenty. So I figured we could handle the academics at home.

Plus, from what I remember from my own childhood, the real value of preschool is that you get to act out Lord of the Flies in between naps. I imagine he’s going to learn to forge alliances and hone his leadership skills in the sandpit, the first time there’s a dispute over who gets to use the orange bucket. I’ve already seen him do that with his friends (this kid already has more friends than I do), but now he’ll get to be graded on it.

If I’d held out for an elite Montessori school, chances are he’d have been old enough for kindergarten by the time he made it off the wait list. That’s because I procrastinated. I didn’t start looking for a school until he turned two. Now, if he doesn’t get into Princeton in 2031, he’s going to blame me.

From Babycenter: Once you decide your child is ready for preschool, it’s time to find a good program. It pays to start your search early. Some families – especially ones who live in big cities – apply to the best schools as soon as their child is born. We kid you not.