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Pre-School and Daycare
JoannaJes
member
Can you tell me about 2 year old preschool?
JoannaJes
member
We are currently trying to decide between two different preschools for this coming fall. DS will be 3.5 when he starts in September. Both programs are pretty similar...they are play based, use creative curriculum, two mornings a week for three year olds.
The only difference is that the one program I like slightly less offers a two year old program. So theoretically DD would be able to do the two year old program which is two mornings a week, when DS is in the four year old program. The director of the two year old program says it is extremely play based. The kids don't have to be potty trained for it.
DD has a November birthday, so she will almost be three by the time she starts the two year old program. Does anyone have experience with two year old preschool? What are the benefits and drawbacks? I stay at home, and we attend several activities each week.
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Re: Can you tell me about 2 year old preschool?
My DD is currently in a 2 day a week play-based 3's program. Last year she did 1 day a week at the same school w/ the same teacher. She loved it and I loved having the one morning a week with just DS. It's a co-operative school so there is always a parent in the classroom as well.
The classroom had a dress-up station, a play kitchen and laundry room, a reading corner, a classroom table, and easel and chalkboard, a sensory table, a reading area, and a circle time/play area w/ various blocks, toys, etc. The teacher switched up the classroom on a regular basis. They had nice routine that included circle time, snack, playground time, free play, arts & crafts time, etc.
DS is going to go next year 2 days a week. When it was just DD I was much better about getting to playgroup & I watched 2 boys 2x a week in our house, including one her age (he was also in her class, so they were buddies) but DS hasn't gotten to socialize as much w/ a bunch of kids his age, so I know it will be good for him.
DD who will be 4 soon, writes her name along with mom, dad, dog and DS' name, and while those aren't things she was taught in school directly, I think her school experience helped her get there, if that makes sense? Like by going to school just one day a week the school-type of play we do here in our house is more effective.
DS1 is in a play-based 2 year program this year. His birthday is Oct 7, so he is the oldest in his class. In fact, there are 2 sets of twins that only turned 2 in August before school started.
He had major separation anxiety, which is why we felt it necessary to enroll him in a 2s class. Literally, my only goal for him for the year was that he learn to be dropped off easily and trust other people beside my husband and I. He accomplished that goal after a few months, I am very proud of him. Socially it has been good for him because I SAH (we do some acitvities) and it has given him a positive association with school. They really don't 'learn' much, but they do sing songs, have circle time, have snack together, etc. It's mostly social learning.
I don't know that I will send DS2, unless he has similar seperation issues. I don't dislike it, but I know DS2, being as outgoing as he seems to be, will adjust just fine within the first few weeks of a 3 yr old class without any prior experience.
If you want the break, then I say do it. It's not going to hurt. But if you are torn as to whether or not your child 'needs' it in order to succeed in the 3s program the following year, then my guess is probably not.
Also, the age factor (DS1 being the oldest) has not been an issue at all. He knows some of the kids are younger, and talks about them not being potty trained and stuff, but it's not an issue.