Preschool question... WWYD kind of.

ellemoney:)

How did you?choose if you had a few options??

I have, as of right now.. 2.

Option 1- Montessori, 5 days a week, 1/2 day. ?It just seemed a little strict to me for her and I don't know if that's what I want for her right now. But it was also great b/c of all the materials and great from the education standpoint. ?Layla liked it when we went there, but I felt the teacher was a little strict when we were leaving. Layla didn't want to go and the teacher took the plate from her hand and put it back. ?Maybe I am just too lenient when it?comes to that, though.. I don't know.?

Option 2- a?church type preschool that is 2 days a week, 1/2 day. However, I walked right in.. no questions.. walked by several people and no one said anything. ?I?could have easily went into any of the rooms or any of the backpacks hanging out on the walls and gotten anything out. ?It was more laid back and Layla had fun while she played there. They do have a sort of set?curriculum and I saw that different weeks they learn about different things. ?

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I just don't know what to do. The Montessori is a little more expensive, but I think it might even out if the other school were 5 days. ??

dpdw

What you said about Option #2 -- walking in & no one stopping you -- would be a deal breaker for me.  That's a safety issue.

wellfleet04

I'm not hugely paranoid about abduction/theft, so the walking right into #2 wouldn't really bother me. I know that is a Nest outlier opinion, though

I see what you;re saying about the Montessori being"strict" in the focus on works and independence.  I didn't really like the approach for MY kid, even though I know it is wonderful for other people's kids.  

We had a tough choice for DD's preschool, too.  I wound up choosing the one that was more playbased and laid back because ultimately that was the most important thing to me about preschool.  I am not worried about the "academic" piece--my kids are smart and I can teach them what they need to know for K at home.  I want preschool to foster a love of learning and encourage imagination, social skills, problem solving, etc.  

ellemoney:)

dpdw:

What you said about Option #2 -- walking in & no one stopping you -- would be a deal breaker for me.? That's a safety issue.

That's such a HUGE?concern for me too. I just really did not like that at all.??

UGAbride

Hmmmm, well you can walk into our church preschool, too, but of course the teachers wouldn't allow you into their classrooms with the kids and backpacks?!!!

I can't see the post as I'm responding, but I think you said your DC is 2?  I think 5 days a week is a bit much unless you are working and need something that often...

ellemoney:)

UGAbride:

Hmmmm, well you can walk into our church preschool, too, but of course the teachers wouldn't allow you into their classrooms with the kids and backpacks?!!!

I can't see the post as I'm responding, but I think you said your DC is 2?? I think 5 days a week is a bit much unless you are working and need something that often...

I know. The backpacks are all on little hooks right outside the?classroom. I just thought that was odd.?

She will be 3 when she begins preschool and I don't need the 5 days or anything. ?But she is really looking forward to preschool, lol. ?Her?cousins all go (2nd?cousins, but more like 1st) and she saw the episode of WonderPets where the baby blowfish goes.. and now she really wants to go. ?So I don't know if she'll really love it when she starts or if she won't.. I don't know.?

It's just such a list of pros and?cons and I feel like I need to make a decision soon.. even though I probably don't.??

HotDish!

My DD is 2 1/2 and was going to Montessori 3 days a week for 3 hours and it was way too much for her. She was so excited to start school but it turned out to be overwhelming for her and we've had to pull her out. We aren't going to put her in Montessori next year, we'll go with a play based school instead. 

ellemoney:)

HotDish!:

My DD is 2 1/2 and was going to Montessori 3 days a week for 3 hours and it was way too much for her. She was so excited to start school but it turned out to be overwhelming for her and we've had to pull her out. We aren't going to put her in Montessori next year, we'll go?with a?play based school instead.?

Thanks. I was worried about that too. ?I know she wants to go and wants to learn.. and loves to learn new things, but I'm just not sure if she's going to be ready at 3. ?She?can always go at 4...?

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And to the PP who said the thing about kids being supervised, you're right about that too. ?I did not run into any kids running around alone or anything. They were all with teachers..??

JillShari

I picked the preschool for my DS through pure gut feelings.  I knew that all of the ones I saw would do a great job at educating him and socializing him for his age, but the one I picked and we have been happiest at was the one that felt like home.

dpdw

ellemoney:):

HotDish!:

My DD is 2 1/2 and was going to Montessori 3 days a week for 3 hours and it was way too much for her. She was so excited to start school but it turned out to be overwhelming for her and we've had to pull her out. We aren't going to put her in Montessori next year, we'll go with a play based school instead. 

Thanks. I was worried about that too.  I know she wants to go and wants to learn.. and loves to learn new things, but I'm just not sure if she's going to be ready at 3.  She can always go at 4... 

 

And to the PP who said the thing about kids being supervised, you're right about that too.  I did not run into any kids running around alone or anything. They were all with teachers..  

What if a kid has to use the bathroom?  Does he go alone or must a teacher go with him?  I would have a serious problem with just anyone being able to walk into my kids preschool, even if they "only" have access to their backpacks before they reach my child.  IMO it's bad enough that the front door of the school wasn't locked (from the outside), but even worse that no one questioned you when you were an unfamiliar face just walking around.  I know I already voiced my opinion, but again, that would be an absolute deal breaker for me.