[ll_bay]

The main thing is that you really have to be your child's advocate. Our daughter, adopted at age 6, went to kindergarten about 2 weeks after coming home. It helped IMMENSELY, both with her language and with her overall adjustment. She'd been going to school in India, so it made sense to her and felt familiar to go here as well- she even asked to not very long after arriving. And contrary to what the experience of some has been, this has not hurt attachment in the slightest. If anything, it has helped, because it add more structure to her day, which she needs greatly, and makes our time as a family that much more valuable. She only had about 2 months of kindergarten, and the district wanted to hold her back for language only. Well I did some research, and that's illegal according to federal law. If a child has no other reasons to be held back, then the school MUST provide ESL assistance and promote the child to the next grade. We live in a small district, and so no ESL program was in place. But thanks to our efforts, they have actually identified 10+ ESL students and implemented programming. Our daughter goes for "extra school" for ESL two afternoons a week now. She is reading at grade level, makes As in reading, spelling, and vocabulary as well as most other subjects. She is very well socialized with many friends, and is attaching to us very well, as I said.
Our other daughter, bio sister to the eldest came home at age 3. For her language, we fought and won to have her put in state-funded preschool. Like her sister, she showed no other delays, and the district reasoned that since she could require ESL intervention at some point anyway, it would make more sense to address it head on. She just turned four, can write her name and a few other words, and makes fewer mistakes in English than her sister. Right now we estimate that by the time she reaches kindergarten, it won't even be an issue.
Sorry this is so long, but I hope it helps.
Laura