Preschool WWYD?

LuckySunshineBaby · January 2011

DD will be 2.5 in mid March. She will turn 3 on mid Sept and make the public school cut off for K at 4 turning 5 in our state. Assuming she is ready at that time, we would enroll her in school.

I SAH and had planned on DD going to preschool in the fall. I'm due in August (likely mid to early August since DD arrived a month early and it will be a sch. c/s). I don't want DD to associate starting school with the new baby. Plus, with her having SAH with me thus far, I'm concerned about her transition. And I really want a break (another story).

We started looking for school options for her now to finish this "school year" one day a week. None of the facilities in this area will allow one day a week. We found a preschool we love that is 2 days a week and they would take her now vs waiting a month. We don't really see the need for her to be two full days a week in preschool (9-3-3:30) when I stay home. In the fall when I have another LO, sure. But not now. Plus, it would be making a financial sacrifice we were prepared to make in the fall but had not planned for as of now.

If we don't start her now, she won't be eligible for this facilities 3 year old room in the fall because she doesn't meet their cut off. If she starts in their 2.5-young 3's now, they will allow her to be an exception assuming she does well in their 2.5 year old classroom for the remainder of the year.

So, it's either start her now for hopefully a better situation in the Fall, despite it costing a lot and I stay home full time (so what the heck am I doing two full days off?)

or wait until the Fall and she'll be working "below" grade and not with her potential "peers" for school (huge concern to me).

Thoughts?

ps-They have a 1/2 program, but it saves us practically nothing a month and she'll go full days in the fall, so we thought it would be good to work up to that now.

GuitaristsGirl · January 2011

I can only offer my thoughts based on our situation (realizing DS is quite a bit younger than your LO!). I would love to SAH. At the same time, DS love going to "school"! I've remarked many times that, if I ever were to SAH, I have to still find some type of social activity, part time program, whatever, for him to do.

IMO, one day a week wouldn't cut it - I love that he knows the teachers, knows the kids, knows the facility, etc., and at least at his young age, I would think that at least 2 days a week are necessary to accomplish that. I would think, in the case of your LO, that 2 days would actually make for an easier transition than 1.

I know that the financial aspect must still be considered, but if you could make it work, I'd consider letting her start now. It might be good for you both Plus, while it is 2 days, it doesn't really sound like 2 full days "off" to me, esp. since the program ends at 3:00. (vs. something like daycare that's 7:30/8:00 to at least 5:00)

GL, whatever you decide!

rockvillebride · January 2011

If you can financially swing it, I think he would really love the 2 days of pre-school now. DS just started pre-school and is in a full day program 5 days a week because we work (including before and after-care.) I was a nervous wreck about it and was even going to try to change my schedule so he was there an hour less a day. It turns out that he loves it and actually doesn't want to leave at the end of the day. I think it could be really beneficial for the social interactions now! Plus, I agree with prior poster, that 2 days a week is better for getting used to it v. having an entire week in between "school" days. Good luck!

CMM05 · January 2011

I would start her now, but then again, I start my kids early

DS1 is on the "younger" side (i.e Fall birthday) and we started him in nursery school last year when he was only 23 months....and....he went 3 days a week. It is not a "daycare" program. It is an actualy 2 year old program with a curriculum.

He has blossomed and been just fine. This year he still goes 3 days a week to a preschool program and I work part-time. He is in school on some of the days when I am home. I know its hard to swallow the financial part of it when you are staying at home, but I look at it from the educational standpoint. That to me, is more important.

Yes, DS can "learn" from me at home, but it is not the same as being in a classroom setting with procedures, rules and other peers his age.

GL with your decision!

Also, I think it will make the transition with the baby much easier when he/she arrives. Your DD will already know the school and routine, so it won't be that "new" to her in the Fall.

I would go for it

oct11bride03 · January 2011

IMO, one day a week isn't enough time at school to develop any kind of routine with the teachers and other kids. And what happens if she's sick that one day...then she isn't going for two full weeks.

At a minimum I'd do two days, if you can swing it financially. Two days (really only partial days since it's 9-3) would give you a break, time to get things done around the house and run errands without worrying about DD.

Good luck!

RoxBride · January 2011

DD goes to parents day out one day a week, started at 1 1/2. She loves it. One day is enough for her to get her social skills and such. She attends from 9:30 until 3, and I get a break when I know that one day I'll be kid free.

She'll probably do 2 days next year.

LuckySunshineBaby · January 2011

Thanks so much girls! I think we'll pull the trigger. Glad to hear you think 2 days will benefit DD. I wasn't sure, but I like hearing from Mom's who have been there.

I really like this facility and want to ensure her placement in the fall. Plus the ease of transition in the Fall/new baby is important.

I'm sure the guilt of taking two days "off" every week will wear off in about an hour:)

crystalgirl · January 2011

Tough call, but I would go ahead and send her now so that she's in the right class. Also, you could use the break...It's tough being PG with a toddler! I wished we had started DS1 this past fall. We're looking at starting DS1 in a few weeks even though it's close to baby's arrival. Since it's been more than a month since his birth, hopefully he won't associate them.

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