Illinois requres preschool

I cross posted in the foster care by state forum, but wanted to share here in case you all check that area as infrequently as I do. To make it short, if you don't want to read below, IL DCFS requires all kids in care between 3 years and kindergarted to be enrolled or on the waiting list for a preschool. We have been FPs for 3 years and I never knew this. It isn't in our handbooks so I'm not sure exactly how 'official' this is. Anyone else been told this? -------------------------------- During home visits in the months approaching my FS's 3rd birthday our CW automatically started asking about Headstart and preschools. As a SAHM who makes a pointed effort to have the kids learn colors and counting and shapes, who takes them out places, as a family who goes and experiences new things, I just didn't see the need. Our older FS was in Headstart, at the time, so we knew what was involved. He had needed it when he came, but within a year no longer needed that extra interaction as he was in 1/2 day preschool through early childhood. My immediate response was, "We aren't looking to enroll him." CW seemed uneasy, but didn't push too much that time. It was almost the end of the school year anyway, so nothing could happen for a few months. At each montly visit, the CW asked the same thing. Finally I asked bluntly, "Is it required or just highly recommended?" I was told it was just highly recommended but not required. Here we 6 months later and we have an adoption specialist who informs me that DCFS requires all 3 years old to either be in a preschool or on the waiting list for one. I was shocked. I told her that was not what we were told and that if FS was sent to Headstart it would very much mess up our schedule and his. He still takes a 2 hour nap in the afternoon and our other FS gets on the bus right after lunch. Our HS would be in the afternoons and changed this year so you have to meet the bus at certain pick-up locations. So, then what? I would have to drive him? Take both kids with me and have the school pick up older FS at HS? Take one late every day? And on top of that I would have a very cranky 3 yo every evening. Thankfully, I didn't know about it at time of registration because he would have gotten in due to being a FK and having older brother in the program already. Also, he just got accepted into the 1/2 day EC program since I pushed for extra testing for him. I really shouldn't be thankful that he needs that 2nd therapy to qualify, but I am. (Mainly I'm thankful someone else, besides me, saw he needed the help.) I am not trying to send the kids away. It is very much the other way around. I want them here at home more, not with other people. Due to their backgrounds they need to form bonds, not be exposed to more caretakers. I even took older FS out of HS this year for that reason, along with him being overly tired. He still gets the much needed help he needs, and is making great progress with, at the 1/2 day preschool though Early Childhood. So it isn't like he is missing out. Okay, this has turned into a rant. I just wanted to let others know, as it isn't in the handbook. If we were at a place where I HAD to enroll him, then I know exactly where I would have called. Or, I could have asked HS, but think they are already full. Again, when is being put on a waiting list a good thing? When you don't actually want in the program but need it to fulfill a DCFS rule that is made without giving thought to circumstance where it may actually do more harm than good.