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Pre-School and Daycare
? for those who have DC in preschool
I'm looking into preschools for DS for this fall (he will be 3 in Aug) and since I have never sent him to daycare or preschool, I am not sure how big a deal certain things are as I visit the various places. So far there is one I am very much leaning toward, although it is a bit more expensive than others. I got a good feeling from the place, and it's small and very outdoor-oriented, which are very good features for DS.
So the one other thing that seems like a great feature is that they feed the kids- snacks and lunch. And it is homemade healthy stuff, not junk. I would not have to send a single morsel of food. So my question to all of you is whether or not that would be a great convenience or just a minor perk. It's not like it will make or break my decision, but I'm just trying to gauge how much of a benefit that is. I guess I'm secretly hoping to hear that it is a huge benefit and therefore worth the extra cost of this particular preschool 
Thanks!!
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Re: ? for those who have DC in preschool
My DS1 just turned 4 and has been in 3 year old preschool since the fall. He does MW afternoons for 2.5 hours. They have a snack, but no meal. And they go outside on nice days, otherwise play in one of the smaller motor rooms or run in the big gym. He was in daycare part time for awhile, but he had been home with me for over 1 year before starting preschool.
One thing to make sure you consider is how potty-trained he is compared to their expectation. The program we originally signed him up for expected them to do everything fully independently, with the bathroom down the hall. Just weeks before school started, I felt he wasn't ready and switched him to a different school, one with the bathroom attached to the room and pull-ups allowed. The bummer is that the morning class he was originally signed up for would have been a lot easier to schedule around then the afternoon he's currently in.
So then another thing to to think about is making sure you think the class time will work well for his eating/napping schedule. As far as lunch, it just depends on how long you want him in school, and what you want the focus to be. It will definitely be easier for you to have them prepare and provide the lunch then pack it for him.
The most important is that you have to be comfortable with the teachers and the program. Good luck with your decision!
We are in a special pre-k through the public schools b/c Harmon is special needs. But I had a choice between 3 different local programs. I choose the one I did on the teacher and her curriculum (it was so interactive, fun, and just really educationally enriching). It was awesome and my child has really thrived.
So if I were you that is what I would focus on. Snacks are cheap (we buy large cut apple bags at Sam's when it is our week or other healthy alternatives).
I would only pay more money for a pre-k program if I felt it was really worth the extra money with a strong curriculum, amazing teacher, great assistants, etc.
I don't have to send in a snack, but do have to send in lunch the 2 days my oldest is in preschool for the afternoon during her extended days (she's 5 now though).
It's not a dealbreaker for me. I need to love the school. Whether or not they provide snacks/lunch doesn't factor into my decision.
GL!
(m/c 1.17.07, m/c 5.15.07)
DS - 03.15.08
DD2 - 12.03.09
DD3 - 3.28.11
It's a huge benefit if the food is really good! DD's school doesn't allow outside food either, and I'm thrilled. The menu is fabulous. I actually get ideas for our own meals from the menu/calendar on the wall in the cubby room.
Even throwing together a quick snack can be a pain on a rushed morning. And you don't have to worry about him losing any bits of his lunch box/containers... and there's nothing to wash at the end of the day.
But you know, regardless of food, I think it's always worth the money to go with the place you feel better about. I could pay half the price for a daycare 2 steps from my office... but I pay double for a preschool that has me commuting. It's worth it for my peace of mind.
my boys are all in daycare and i can't tell you how much i LOOOOOVE the meal plan they have!!! I was so excited when the twins moved up into the 2y/o room so they could be on the meal plan - i HATED having to pack a lunch and figure out what I had to send in, etc.
They also tend to try new things easier when all the other kids are eating it - I know Griffin eats things at daycare that he won't eat at home - b/c others are eating it.
What we pay for our meal plan is a lot more than it would cost me to make lunch - since my guys are only part time it = more expensive for the meal plan than full time kids... but it's still worth it to me!
My DS went to a daycare that provided all meals and snacks. What I didn't like is I never knew how much of anything he actually ate or if he really ate well. When they served something he didn't like, I guess he just didn' eat much. Now he is in preschool and I pack a lunch everyday although you can order hot lunch if you want. I like this better as I feed him healthy and organic food at home. I also like being able to check his lunchbox when he gets home and know if he ate or not. I do order him hot lunch once a week as a treat on pizza day. He loves that. Personally I prefer packing a lunch as we eat organic and healthy and I can select things I know he will actually eat.