Hi mamas! A few of my hometown mama friends are enrolling their kids (who will be 2-2.5) in early preschool next fall..just 2 days a week for about 4 hours a day. I'm on the fence about whether this is a good decision or not for us to do as well. I currently stay at home with my son and are expecting baby #2 in July. While I would love some free time next fall with just the baby, and having socialization and learning time for my toddler would be great for him, I'm worried it's too young still. I'm getting mixed reviews when I "google" (which I probably shouldn't), but many articles say 2 is still too young, especially when they are still not 100% verbally communicative. It can cause stress. 3-3.5 is a more ideal age. My son won't turn 2 until mid-Sept anyway, so we actually would be starting around 23 months. Currently, he's been dropped off at a drop-in daycare while I go to my doctor appointments so he's only been away for about an hour and all 3 times he's gone, he's cried almost the entire time. The teachers said he just needs to adjust and get used to them since they are unfamiliar faces and going several days a week, every week, would help but it just doesn't feel right to be doing that just yet. So we have been working on our separation anxiety and socialization through Gymboree classes 1-2x a week and he LOVES those and thrives in them with no tears (HIGHLY recommend btw!). I just feel like for MY son, he might not be ready quite yet but I could be wrong - it could be what he needs. So I'm coming to y'all to see if anyone else is going to be doing this or what your thoughts might be! I certainly don't want to hold him back and him be behind, but don't want to push if it's too soon. TIA!

Re: Early Preschool at 2 years old?
I agree that they need to get use to the care givers. LO gets upset if I take him to the gym drop off for an hour but has no problem at his regular daycare. I feel bad leaving him anymore than I already do, that I rarely use the gym drop off. I am sure if he got use to the new faces, it would go a lot more smoothly. He calms down and plays after five minutes but they say he watches the door for me the whole time.