Both DD and DS will be starting preschool in September at a private elementary school. DD will be going full time Monday through Friday 8am-2:30, DS will be going part time 3 days a week 8am-11:15, however both DD and DS will be in the same class, does anyone have experience with this?
Re: Preschool 3 and 4 year olds in the same class room?
LO is in a preschool class with 3 & 4's. They are in the same room for a year, so it is mainly young 3's-young'4's and then they move up to the next room.
So far it has never been an issue- they teach the curriculum but modify it for the younger kids and encourage them to do the best they can. LO can't write his name yet, but there are kids in his class who can't. And you can bet your ass that LO is now motivated to try because he wants to do what the others can.
Remember in a regular school age class there is going to be kids who are a full year difference- August birthday and pushed through at 5, September birthday and going in at 6. Yes there is a difference in what they can do and maturity, but it always ends up working out.
As for your DD and DS- the teachers will make it work. They will probably play together a lot in the beginning and then will find their own friends. They will bring home similar art work and DD's will probably be more skilled then DS, but DS will most likely work hard to catch up.
Everything will be fine!
A kiss he will never forget- Disney World 2014
They will probably surprise you with the fighting thing- in that they may not fight. School does weird things- I have had twins in my classes before and you would never know they are siblings. The learn together, but have different groups of friends, sometimes play together and interact, but sometimes they don't. But rarely, rarely did thy argue or fight.
In a way this could actually bring them closer, because they will have shared experiences outside of the house, that don't involve the home. It will be kind of like their own little club.
As far as pick up goes- you could do a couple different things- luckily around 11:30 is lunch time, so DD will most likely be distracted with lunch. I would first try remind the kids that you will be picking DS up early, and that DD will be staying. Remind DD that she is the big girl and gets to stay for extra stuff and DS that he has so much to look forward to when he is that age.
I would start with you going in the room- if that doesn't work - I would talk to the teachers and or director about having DD ready to go with her stuff and have her wait in the directors office , or meet you in the hallway. Either way, just keep the lines of communication open with the teachers and they will work with you.
Good Luck!
A kiss he will never forget- Disney World 2014
My oldest was in 3/4s as an old 3, then went into a fours class. It was great for her. My twins were in a threes class and are going into the 3/4s as young fours. Had my twins been a couple months older last year as threes, I would have put all 3 kids together in the 3/4s.
For the mature old 3 it was great. But from my observations, it was nice for the younger fours because they were still models.
Now all that said, you could have all the exact same age in a room or missed 2-5, or whatever and a great or awful teacher will make it awesome or awful. But I loved it.