Part-time preschool?

MommyAtty · June 2014

We've decided to put DD in part-time preschool for the upcoming school year. She will be 2 when she starts. The day goes 9:15 to 2:15, so my in laws (our normal day care) will do drop off and pick up. I'm excited because I think it's going to be great for DD. And I think she will love it. There is a part-time and full-time option. We could do 2 or 3 days a week, and we have decided on 3, MWF. Has anyone done anything like this? Any thoughts or words of encouragement? Even though rationally I think she will adore it, I'm still a weenie. This is a kid who has never stayed with anyone but us or my in laws. (Which is part of why I wanted to do this... She has to be with someone else before she starts school and is that weird kid who cries all the time!)

Amelia4 · June 2014

I have a co-worker whose parents and in-laws traded off watching their two children. Then they transitioned to part time preschool (MWF) at 1.5 and 3. It took the kids longer to get used to the transition, but they both love it.

MommyAtty · June 2014

Thanks! My great hope is that she loves it so much, we immediately switch to 5 days a week. She really likes other kids, and this school keeps the classes very small (like 6 kids in a class), so I'm hopeful.

mae0111 · June 2014

We did this with DD1 at 2y9mo because she was cared for by a nanny, and she didn't really socialize well with other kids. She was great with adults, but tended to stay out of the fray at the playground, etc.

I will be honest, she never really got used to school during her first year, but I think it was largely due to the environment. It was total chaos during drop offs, and she would cling to me. There were 18-22 kids and 2 teachers. The teachers said she would "take care" of other kids that were sad, but tended to stick closely to the teachers.

We switched schools this year, and it's like night and day. She has really done well, because things are better controlled. The class is smaller (6 kids, all 3-4 years old, she's the oldest due to her birthday), but they spend a lot of time with the next level (14 kids, 4-5 years old). So typically 20 or so kids together for parts of the day, with 2 teachers and 2 aids.

I plan to do the same with DD2, and start her part time when she's 2.5-3. She's a different kid, and will probably warm up a lot faster than her sister did.

Good luck!!

Jills83 · June 2014

DS started going to preschool daycare 3 days a week at 2.5 years old in January. Before that he had only been with a babysitter since he was born. He was very shy and reserved, but said he liked it and seemed to have fun. His teacher told us last week that he has started to come out of his shell by leading play with the other kids, participating more in group time and storytelling, and singing during music time. I can see the change in him as well. So bottom line is that he did well with the transition, but it took about 5 months for him to adjust and open up to his classmates.

MommaP12 · June 2014

We started DS in Daycare when he was 3 on M/W/F and he was previously watched by my MIL. I liked it much better. It was more structured, he made friends, had to try new foods, etc. MIL was awesome, but I just liked this better.

DD started M/W/F as well at 6 months old. She's always been happy and loved it.

I think it's great if you can do PT.

skibunny59 · June 2014

You never know. She may surprise you. My DD just turned 2 in March and has only ever been cared for by her grandparents. We are waiting until age 3 to put her in a preschool program but we did have to leave her at an in home that was very much structured like a preschool for a few days when my parents were away on vacation. She did surprisingly well. She didn't blink an eye when I left, loved playing with the kids there, and even napped there which I was surprised since she can be a pain about naps.

I think the key is finding a place where they feel comfortable.

MommyAtty · June 2014

Thanks, guys. Our original plan was to wait until she was 3 and send her to preschool at the prep school where we plan on her going for K-12. But she is in a music class and loves it. She's also learned so many soft skills there that I feel like not sending her is short-changing her. Stories here of WMs whose kids are thriving in daycare also helped sway me. I want DD to have the same enrichment activities while still getting to really bond with her grandparents a couple of days a week. And this gives my in laws some time alone with our new baby and a break from chasing 2 kiddos.

jf198400 · June 2014

I think this will be great for your DD. She'll have much more fun playing with other kids than sitting at home with the baby. Shes at a great age to benefit from the social interaction.

fitmom82 · June 2014

DD started daycare at 2 1/2, it took a few weeks to get used to it and even now at 4 she's not great at drops offs, but at 2 she seemed to enjoy it. When she was with her babysitter the older girl, she was 2 or 3, started preschool a few days a week. I'm pretty sure she went Mon-Wed because the school said it was easier to do consecutive days. It makes alot of sense. There may be some projects they do that may carry over to the next day. You also get into a routine, school days, grandparent day, home day. We're always going over with DD how many more school days and she's had sticker calendars and rewards at the end of the week that would be much more difficult to keep up with if it wasn't consecutive days. Although DS just turned 2, it also took him weeks to adjust but now he's so much easier than she is. I've heard boys are easier, but I do think consecutive days might make more sence if you have that option.