Preschool or not for a 3 y/o?

KelliLynee · January 2012

My DD will be 3 in June. We had always intended to send her to a 4 year old preschool program, but our babysitter is strongly recommending we send her to the 3 year old program at the local preschool next year (the babysitters daughter and another one of the kids she watches have been to that school and they love it).

I am looking for feedback on benefits & drawbacks of sending a 3 year old to preschool. My DD is very verbal, and has been for quite a while, which I think is partly because she has always spent time with kids a year or 2 older than her at the babysitters. But next year, she will be the oldest kid at the babysitters, and will only be with little kids, like 1 and 2 year olds (and hopefully a newborn sibling, if this one sticks!). I think in this situation it would be good to get her out and spending time with kids her age in a structured learning environment, but am looking for more insight from other parents.

Oh, and she is potty trained, which I know is a factor as well.

Aimathy · January 2012

I would definitely consider putting her in a program. You say that she is very verbal, potty trained etc, which all tend to be indicators that she is ready for a preschool environment. My daughter is 3.5 and we started her in 2 day a week Pre K this year and she loooooves it. I only did 2 days because I wasn't sure how she'd feel about not being home....but I can say (sadly) that at this point, she would probably go five days if she could.

It really is so wonderful for them to have interaction with kids their own age, start learning how to follow directions, listen to a teacher etc. Most preschools are so fun, with singing, counting, letters, poems, playing....that she will probably have a blast. I think it's also far better than her being the oldest of a group of children next year. If she's the oldest, she really isn't expanding her own abilities as much as when they have to keep up with peers. I say go for it.

Good luck in your search!

cmh06 · January 2012

DD started PS at 3.5 this past September. She loves it! She enjoys the socialization with the other students and following a routine and rules.

lexigrl · January 2012

We started DS1 in Pre-School right after he turned 3..he goes 3 mornings a week for 2.5 hrs a day and LOVES it. In Sept he will start going 5 morning a week since our public school has a pre-k program and he is so excited about going to the "big boy" school as he calls it.

Raspberry807 · January 2012

DS was at an in-home provider and turned 3 in August 2010. I started him in preschool the next month, for 5 half-days a week, and he stayed at the center for lunch, nap and afternoon daycare. I also moved DD there for before/after school care so they were together in the mornings and late afternoons.

He's a small kid, walked and talked late, and is supposed to start Kindergarten just three weeks after he turns 5. He potty trained at 2.5, so I started him in preschool at 3 because I wanted him to have the best chance of being ready to start Kindergarten this year. Of course though we will wait if he's not ready, but I think two years of preschool have really helped him socially and he will do great.

I don't have any regrets, and he adjusted just fine after the first week. I think it's a great idea to start preschool at 3. GL!

lmdbww · January 2012

I think it's a great idea.

I technically cannot think of any reason why you should NOT send her...

kmhunt11 · January 2012

Definitely. IMO, they need a social structure outside of your family at this age. 3 is also a tough age for many, so you might be surprised at how much it helps your family dynamic for her to have peers her own age.

macchiatto · January 2012

3 is the age where they start to love being around their peers. I don't think it's essential at 3 but I think most 3 y/o's would enjoy it and benefit from it. I"m planning to send my boys 3 mornings/week in the fall. They just turned 3 last week and we're actually hoping to send them 2 mornings/week (2's class since it's for kids who were 2 in Sept) starting this month.

kelbrian · January 2012

My DD started preschool a month after she turned three. It was the best decision we could have made for her. She is thriving in the environment and loves going to school. She talks constantly about her friends, her teachers and what they do at school and how much she loves it. I would highly recommend it, especially if your DD is verbal and potty trained.

kellyloveszach · January 2012

The only reason I could think of not sending her is that since you have a baby due in September she could feel "replaced" at home. We will be sending DS at 3 but he is going to be four late October. If he did make the cut off for the 3's I would have to consider it, but he is socially immature.

Mrs. Rohde · January 2012

Definitely! DD just turned 3 in December and she started school in September. She was super social too and loved playing with older kids. She LOVES it. I am so happy that she's in preschool. She goes 3 days for 3 hours.

I think that since your daughter is verbal and is used to playing with older kids she should stay with older kids. My DD would be bored out of her mind with "babies".

franciscaz · January 2012

For us Pre-K has been such a positive. I would recommend a part time program at least a couple times a week.

KKMMex · January 2012

There are no drawbacks to sending a 3yo to preschool. If you can afford to, then send her.

CTJune06 · January 2012

DD was in a home day care setting 2x a week and I felt like she was ready to "graduate" at around 2.5 or so. She started preschool 2 mornings/wk just last week and so far LOVES it. She talks about school all the time and they are doing such neat things there. I'm happy with our decision to move on...(and I'm hoping the shine doesn't wear off, knock on wood!)

livinitup · January 2012

Have you visited the program and seen it with your own eyes? Talked with the teachers? It's way beyond babysitting. At first glance, it looks like a big playroom, but at closer inspection they are DOING amazing things with the kids.

Really, its way beyond just socialization. Your child would really benefit from a program designed to meet a 3 yo's pre-literacy and pre-writing skills - through art, play, action, reading, etc. And as a parent, they bring home all kinds of projects that you can continue in the home or just talk about. Its great for 3 year olds. Go investigate and see for yourself.

KelliLynee · January 2012

Thanks ladies. We were leaning towards sending her anyways, and I honestly couldn't think of a reason not to, but I wanted to get the opinions of some other parents to see if there was something I might not have thought of. I'm glad to see such raving reviews for a 3 year old program. I fully expect that she will love it and thrive there. Plus, she'll still have plenty of time at the babysitters with her little friends and hopefully a little sister or brother : )

NoobMommy · January 2012

As a former teacher, I am totally for the preschool experience! Studies have proven kids with preschool experience go on to be more successful in school, higher graduation rates, test scores, income etc. Now, whether or not you wait till 3 or 4 is another question

Personally, I think preschool is a fantastic opportunity for the little ones to socialize, learn to share, learn to deal with different personalities, etc. It's also a great introduction to structured school day. They learn to follow directions from other adults. And many preschools now have some "extracurricular activities" - music, performing arts, school shows, etc.

You can always tour the different schools and just get a feel for the environment and if it would be right for your DD. Touring doesn't mean you have to register It's also a great way to prep if you want to start when she's 4. I created a preschool guide for parents if you'd like to use it as a resource:

https://noobmommy.com/2011/09/noob-mommys-guide-to-choosing-a-preschool.html#.Tx3Q2KWvJ8E

There are some free printables you can take with you as well.

Finally, there are 1/2 day preschools, a couple times a week, full day, five days a week, etc. You can always start off with 1/2 day to ease into it if you want to test the waters

Good luck!

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