S/O: When should kids start preschool?

everydayeve · February 2010

Eve's already in daycare four days a week, but they don't do any set activities or projects. I think she would benefit from a more structured setting where they're actually teaching some, but I wonder if she's too young to start. What's the typical age to start preschool? Are there certain milestones (like being potty trained) that she needs to reach first?

serendipityRox · February 2010

We're struggling with this same issue. Anna is at DC 5 days a week but there are no structured activities. She keeps talking about wanting to go to "school" but I'm not quite sure if she would benefit from a more structured situation or if I should wait until she's 4.

I believe most places require that your child be potty trained.

jsugrin · February 2010

Most places do require PT but I know our co-op will help with PTing. Personally before kids I thought kids should go the year before they will start kindergarten but now that I have a kid that i definitely think needs more structure than I can give him at home I'm planning on sending him in the fall. He'll be just shy of 3 when he starts so we'll start with 2 days a week and then decide for the next year if he does the full week program or the 3 day program.

I think it depends on your child and your ease and ability to provide that structure at home. With another tiny one I don't have the ability that I would like. I also think Andrew is at an age that he would greatly benefit from and greatly enjoy more social activity.

fricksgirl · February 2010

Heeeey!

Alex started when he was 2, but that was because I changed jobs adn his school was at my job. His "school" takes 6 weeks old- 4 years old, so potty training is not an issue- although you can't move up to the "Intermediate" (3 year old) room until you are PT.

They do their structured "school" from 9-12 (circle time, art, math skills, Spanish, etc), before that is free play, then school, lunch, nap, then free play or projects or outside time.

Personally I think 3 is a good age, I don't think 2 was too early, but it's hard to find a place that will take them without being PT. Here's A's preschool's website if you want to look- I think they describe what they do by age level:

https://calvineroad.merryhillschool.com/page.cfm?p=17510

HTH!

tri_bride05 · February 2010

We started M just before 2, but started that early because we wanted him to be really comfortable somewhere by the time the baby was born. Most people I know start their kids at 2 yrs 9 mos (for programs that run on the school year or 3 years for year round programs).

M is in a play-based preschool so everything is learned through play. Their days are very loosly structured and there are several different activities they can choose from set-up. They also have circle time for songs and stories, where the kids are encouraged to join, but don't have to participate, a set snack time where they all eat at the table, and an outdoor play time. I found plenty of preschools without potty training requirements - even looking at 3s programs - so if you start looking, that's a good question to ask. Even though M is only there part-time a few mornings a week, the preschool does offer extended care for parents who need more of a day care type situation so that's something else to research.

tri-reader · February 2010

I think for PTing it depends on the preschool. Usually if they enforce PT then 3 is the age for starting. I ended up at one where they accepted at 2.5 yo and didn't need to be PT. At 2 yo I felt DD was ready to move on from her home daycare. She was getting to be one of the older kids and I felt that the providers would spend more time with the babies rather than come up with activites for her. So I pulled her out during my maternity leave at 2.5 yo and signed her up for preschool. She is loving it!

pink.dutch.tulips · February 2010

2 1/2 to 4 depending on when they're potty trained. being PT is the target entry age for most formal preschools.

2bearichards · February 2010

Our daycare starts a "pre-preschool" program when they are 2, a little more structured learning throughout the day. At 2 1/2 he was in the preschool program and they helped with the potty training.

Mrs.K&C · February 2010

If the preschool starts at age 2, they don't require potty training in my experience. In fact it's part of the curriculum for the little ones.

DD will start at 2. She has to be in care 3 days a week anyway, and I'd prefer her to be in one with more structure (the schools we've looked at are play based and focus on social skills but they still have a structured school routine) and I want her around a variety of kids for the social aspect.

everydayeve · February 2010

Thanks ladies! I guess I didn't think that we'd be worried about preschool until the year before she went into kindergarten, so when it pops up on this board I'm always curious. Maybe we'll start looking closer to this summer.

futrkingsley · February 2010

I plan to start C when he is 2 this summer or just past two this fall if necessary. I'd start him next week if I could.

He is currently care for at home by my mom and he needs more structure and social activities already. We try to do weekly story time and him and I are taking mom and kid yoga but it's not enough. He's smart and we are working with him on things at home but I think he would do well and enjoy the company of other kids. The lack of TV would be a plus too.

In my limited research I found several places that took kids as young as 2 that did not require PT, but that work with kids on it at school. The two I'm most interested in do PT, take 2 year olds, have play based programs, do either half or full days, and have several day a week options (3, 4, or 5 full or half days). I'm looking at 3 half days a week to start.

tiki_t · February 2010

I know I'm chiming in late but I wanted to share... Before I quit my job, both kids were in a very structured daycare center. Some things worked at the age of 2 and some things didn't. Like teaching the kids by having reading time and talking about something like a holiday somewhat worked. However, I caught them forcing the kids to participate in art. By forcing I mean that they would MAKE the kids do the project a certain way for the sake of producing something for the parent.

As an example, my daughter hates getting her hands dirty (except if she reaches into her diaper but that's a whole other story) and they had a project where they dipped their hand in paint to make an art project. They called me in because they tried to get her to do it but she was screaming, crying and fighting them. So I leaned down and asked DD what was wrong. She said, "No ucky hands!" The teacher looked irritated and upset. Then I asked the teacher if she could do something with brushes instead. DD looked excited about the idea of exploring with brushes and the teacher reluctantly gave in.

So beware of a place too structured. I know at 2 my kids wanted to explore their independence and be shown how to do something for themselves but not forced to do things like everyone else. I just think 2 is just too early for that kind of structure.

They started trying to potty train at 2. Hey, some kids were ready and some kids weren't. I know DS is getting almost there at 2 1/2 but DD isn't there yet. Kids all do things in there own time. Just make sure where ever you pick isn't a place that forces kids but rather nurtures their personalities.

We do a lot of educational activities at home.

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