What kind of shoes for preschool?

LisaMinFL

DD will only wear crocs right now, but I am thinking she will probably need to wear sneakers. What is your experience? Any shoe rules/suggestions/thoughts?

regenab

Where we live in FL our school requires closed toe shoes at all times, because there are fire ants on the playground. My girls only wear sneakers to preschool (soon Pre-K) and the rest of the time wear their crocs. My one girl is still going to be wearing her sneakers from preschool this past year and they are really scuffed in the front, which tells me she is playing hard on the playground so I am glad she is in a good pair of sneakers for outside play.

neverblushed

My kids' preschool had a "no crocs/no flip flops/no heels" rule.  They did not want kids to be slowed down on the playground because of footwear.  The playground equipment at the school (and most preschools) was specifically chosen to provide appropriate large motor challenges for kids that age, and active playground time is a part of a good preschool curriculum. 

If your kid avoids climbing some of the equipment because she can't do it in her crocs, you're not getting your money's worth out of the preschool.

You may be able to sell your DD on sneakers as "special school shoes."  If she won't do sneakers because they're too tight/closed, try athletic sandals.

zoe_cat

DD always wears sneakers because the playground is really sandy and not good for sandals/open-toed shoes.  She mostly wears Converse with velcro straps.

starshine1977

As a preschool teacher, I would definitely agree with the PP about getting sneakers. You want something good and sturdy for running and climbing on the playground.

Another important thing for shoes from a teacher's point of view is VELCRO. It is so important for children to be able to take their shoes on and off themselves (especially if they are changing shoes numerous times during the day). Teachers just don't have time to be tying 15-20 pairs of shoes. 

Court0026

Sneakers.  In NY, it will be cold enough by mid-September where we will put the Crocs away anyway! 

lite-bright

IMO, it really depends on the play surface. Our preschool asks that kids not wear sandals or backless shoes like Crocs. The playground is covered in gravel, and even with closed-toe shoes, DD1 still ends up with a good bit of gravel in her shoes some days. When I went to their end-of-year party last year and wore sandals, I cursed myself for it because it was a PITA and hurt my feet. 

DD1 wears sneakers, athletic mary-jane-type shoes, and boots when it's cold.  

 

 

luvmagoldn

Our preschool requires tennis shoes/sneakers for safety reasons.

Jen&Len

Our pre-school has a no crocs/flip flops rule, so we wear sneakers (either with velcro or bungee cord laces)  in cold weather and Keens sandals in the spring/summer.

KathrynMD

DD's school requires closed toe shoe and no flip flops/crocs.

She wears Stride Rite/Skechers sneakers and normally has a few pairs of Mary Janes/ballet flats that she wears for nicer outfits.  They strong encourage the kids to wear sneakers on "gym" day.  She has 2 pairs of closed toe sandals she's worn most of the summer.

jlw2505

At my kids school, in the PreK program (and daycare was the same) they had to wear rubber soled shoes for the most part and closed toe.  We stuck to Keens in the warm weather and sneakers in the winter/cold weather.  Snow boots had to be at school every day for when they went outside (go out daily unless weather is too cold/hot or wet).  Things like party shoes for girls could only be worn if they had rubber bottoms and straps to keep them on but honestly, the sneakers/Keens were the best over all.  On gym days, they had to have sneakers.  Crocs are no go across the board.

SQuaid

At my sons preschool, the teacher said to put them in whatever made them comfortable while they were in the classroom.  Some kids even wore slippers.  I would think crocs would be fine for indoors and shoes for out.

LisaMinFL

Sneakers with velcro it is!!