How much does a Preschool program matter?

JenninMA

I'm starting to look into preschools for next fall when Nadia will be three. Wondering if it matters that much where she goes. The public school has a preschool program- haven't been able to find out much about it yet, unlike most of the preschools in the area the public school doesn't list any info about it's program online. We're not totally thrilled with the schools in our town to begin with and are considering moving a few years down the line to get into a better district. Any option other than the public school will involve a bit of driving since we live in the middle of nowhere- about 25-30 mins. I wouldn't really mind that much but it will mean Reid will be in the car for drop off and pick up and it's more time spent in a carseat than I'd really like for a one-year-old. So, how much does the preschool curriculum really matter?

KrisBriMcBunny

they are all pretty much the same with the exception of school like montessori.  Trust your instincts...if you dont feel good about the public preschool program then dont go.

I did the 20 minute travel to preschool with Josh and Britt was just a baby too.  There was a mall nearby and we hung out there in the stroller.  I too live in the middle of nowhere and to me a 20 minute drive is nothing lol

shopgirl78

My DD goes to a public prek 4 program and reading the curriculum off the hand out, i thought she is going to be BORED....(but its free, so why not?) Anywho, its turned out to be great and she is learning a lot, a lot more than I though from the handout.   

wife1014

Depending on what you want DC to get out of it, the program/curriculum does matter and they are not all the same.  In theory, your public pre-school program should build the foundation children need to achieve in kindergarten.  Good luck choosing!

ilovemygirls

I think it is important to find a program/curriculum that you are comfortable, mostly.  However, I think that the most important thing a child gets out of preschool is social interaction, the ability to work within a group, listen to directions from someone other than mom/dad, know what getting in a line is, etc.  Size of class was important to me as well.  Our preschool has 3yo classes of 8, 4yo classes of 10 and Pre-K classes of 12.  I like that my DD gets to experience this environment with a smaller number of kids rather than jumping straight into kindergarten where there will be a lot more children than that. 

juniper19

My top priority is that my children are safe and enjoy themselves.  I don't think much else really matters beyond that. 

There are different philosophies for what children should be doing in school at that age.  Personally, I would avoid a school that was too traditional - I don't think it is good for such young children to be sitting still and learning ABCs and 123s.  So you might want to think about whether you have an opinion on educational philosophy.  You want to be comfortable with how your child is spending the time he's in school.

kertybird

I am not too worried about the curriculum,   I am more focused on her building social skills and having fun.  She loves to be outdoors and learn hands on, so I found an awesome montessori that is on 25 acres that is all about getting dirty while learning.  That will fit my DD perfectly!

JOEBunny

Not much.  I have done a lot of research and talked at length with several educators, including a friend who is the dean of a very good private school.  They all say that a child in a stimulated home that has interaction (not just stuck in front of a tv all day) does not need preschool.  At 4, it is probably helpful to have them in something to get them used to the "rules of school", but 10 hours a week or less is fine for that.