I ask because Ethan is signed up for two half days (MW 8-11) but it is a bit pricey (200). Most of my SAH mommy friends are doing the same thing. I definitely think that he will benefit from it, but I also feel guilty and don't quite know if he should go...here are my thoughts..
1. I should engage him more instead of "outsourcing" I have all sorts of educational activities, games etc. that we do on occassion (2-3x per week) but we don't do anything everyday. But I am not a child development expert or school teacher. My background is in educational counseling (college) and very little of my training was focused on children. So basically I kind of feel inept at this.
2. The cost is pretty high considering. Since I am already at home we don't really have that much expendable income. I mean we can make it work but it will make things tight.
What are you doing? Is your little one going to preschool-why or why not?
TIA
9 angels in heaven-3 in my arms and 1 in the NICU
Mono/di twin girls: Josephine born to heaven and Evangeline born Earthside at 25w
Re: If you are SAH-is your little one going to preschool?
I work 2 nights a week, so home during the week with the kids. dd has been going to preschool for 2 years (she did a mmo when she was 18m- 2 1/2, then the 2 years of preschool). it's been great for her! the friends she's made, having independent time away from mom and her brother, the positive relationships she's made with her teachers. she has such a positive view of school and loves it.
could we do the worksheets and art projects at home? sure. we do. but I think she's getting a great experience. is preschool a must? no. I didn't go to one and I turned out fine. but my dd loves it and my ds is so excited to start this year. it has worked for us. not to mention I get some errands and housework done while they're out of the house.
last year dd went 3 mornings a week 9-11:30 for $340/mo or $3050/yr (mid sept to mid may)
this year they are going MWF 9-2:30, thought it was good to prep dd for full day kindergarten... and it doesn't make sense to go back and forth all year. so we'll see how ds handles it. $575/mo or $5175/yr each
I think DD is going to go to a half-year of preschool (through the school district) when she turns 4.5.
I do my best to do lots of activities with DD at home. There certainly are benefits to preschool, but I truly believe there are benefits to being with your SAHM, too.
(m/c 1.17.07, m/c 5.15.07)
DS - 03.15.08
DD2 - 12.03.09
DD3 - 3.28.11
DD started preschool 1X a week at 2, she went 2X a week at 3, and next year, at 4, will go 5 days a week (this is really the only option here at 4).
The 1st year was $80 a month, last year was $160, next year is $300 a month + another $100 if she stays an extra hour.
Yes, DD will attend preschool on Tues and Thurs. She attended on Wed only last year.
It is expensive, I was shocked. When both of our girls are in preschool together it will really stretch our budget. Its the right thing for us, it really helped her come out of her shell and she had some wonderful experiences!
I worked p/t but was home with my kids more than at work when mine were small. Both my kids attended preschool from age 3 until kindergarten in a program similar to what you describe (two mornings at week at age 3, three mornings a week at age 4, etc.)
It was a GREAT addition to the time I spent with them, and a perfect way to get my kids socialized, confident, and ready for kindergarten! We live on a rural road, and my work schedule makes it hard to do weekly activities like dance, music, playgroup, etc. My kids were shy and sensitive at first, and they needed the socialization. Also, even though we are not particularly religious in our home, I liked that it was a Christian preschool, and that they handled the religious curriculum in a very appropriate way.
Also, the director (who taught my son in 4's and pre-K) was an EXCELLENT teacher, and picked up that DS has some fine motor difficulties, and recommended OT for him this summer before kindergarten. I would never have realized that his struggles with the pencil were something that I should seek help for -- but an objective, qualified, trained preschool teacher was able to spot his very mild difficulties. Priceless!
My kids' school charged about $125/month for the 2 day a week program, but it was only 2 hours long. By the time my son was in pre-K, at age 5, I paid $385/month for 5 half days a week.
Good luck with your decision!
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Yes, each one of my kids will be in preschool for 3 years before K......first year is 2 half days, second year is 3 half days and third year is 5 half days. Our preschool costs $340/month for 2 half days (in comparison your preschool cost seems cheap to me).....our 5 half day program is around $750/month.
I don't think everyone needs that many years of preschool. It's just working for us this way.
I DO think that your child should be in a preschool setting for the year before they start K........
It's a personal decision (and a financial one) for each family to make......
Ditto, I am certifiwed birth to 5th grade and taught pre-k and kindergarten for 9 years. I would like DD to go in part time pre-k but here in G they have a full time pre-k (if you get in it's lottery style) This is what i taught for severla years. I would like Dd to be in that but if we had to pay it would be part time. The social skills and learning to respect, listen to other adults is important and something that is hard to master at home. but being at home is wonderful if possible. DD has been in daycare until the boys i can see that while she benifits in certain ways from being home there are aspects she misses and gains from being in a school setting.
Yes. And she does a toddler class now (or she will once the next session starts) that's 90 minutes, twice a week. She is pretty reserved around other people and it takes her awhile to warm up and get comfortable enough to talk and participate in group stuff. I really noticed a difference towards the end of the last session she was in -- she started to come out of her shell, and I want to encourage that.
We'll start pre-school next year. The one at our neighborhood school (that I could walk her to and from each day) would be less than $150 a month for two half-days a week.
I think it'll be good for her, plus it'll give me some more one-on-one time with DD2 and a chance to get things done without bringing two kids along.
DD1, 1/5/2008 ~~~ DD2, 3/17/2010
DS went to a private preschool in our area. It was expensive but it was totally worth it. He's MORE than ready for Kindergarten this year. They did great crafts, had spanish class, art class, gym and rode horses. He loved it. Plus, those few hours he was there gave me one on one time with DD.
Now, DD on the other hand will be starting preschool next year. We'll be living in SC by then (hopefully our house will be finished!). I'm thinking of homeschooling while we're there so she could possibly be doing preschool at home. We've already started homeschooling preschool with her now and she loves it.