Send DS to preschool?

[springmum]

I'm really struggling with this for some reason. DS will be 2 in May and I can't decide if I want to send him to preschool or not at 2.5 or 3 or at all....

I'm a sahm right now, but won't be forever. Hoping to have #2, but not yet.

He's very social, outgoing & smart so I think he could get a lot of benefit from it, but can't I challenge him in those ways at home (& with our own outings & playgroups)?

I've been looking at preschools, but none feel just right yet. I like that I can take him out to learn in the world.

What factors (aside from needing to work) influenced your decision about preschool?

It just seems like no one just starts their child in JK/SK anymore - it's like preschool is the norm & DS will be the only one not enrolled (I know not really - but I don't know anyone with a child not in daycare/preschool)

Hmmmm......thoughts?

[summerforever1977]

Keep looking. I found a pre-school that I absolutely love; DS will be 2.5 when we start. Here is what I love about it: it is a co-op so there are parents constantly involved and there are always parents in the classroom. I will go to pre-school with DS from Sept - Dec. and then he will go alone (2.5 hours, 1 day a week) from Jan - May. Then in the fall when he is 3.5 he will go three days a week by himself, progressing to 4 days a week when he is 4.5. By time he is 5.5 yrs old he will be in full day kindergarten (that's how the public school does it around here) so I think this will provide him with a nice, easy progression, he will know all the kids and parents, and I will be an assistant in the classroom at least once a month.

The school allowed us to participate in the program for a day and my son loved it. I think he will benefit from the structure of preschool and I love the slow progression to prepare for kindergarten.

You can do all this on your own too, it's just about doing what feels best for your family.

[spmamma]

DD is 2.5 and I don't intend to send her to preschool until she's at least 4. At 2 or 2.5, they still seem so young.

Only you know your child, though. I'm sure that you'll discover that it feels right when you find the right combination of age and school choice.

[K1329]

Both of my kids go/have gone to preschool. Dd started at 3 in a 5 day a week program, ds now attends a mornings only program 5 days a week. He's 3 now, but, started at 2.75. Ds absolutely LOVES his school, and dd did, too. If either of them did not like school, we would have stopped and tried again when they were older.

I started them so they could play with peers and do interesting art projects, songs, etc. At home, I found that while we did alot of projects, walks to the park, etc. that we also watched some tv and spent alot of time alone. I felt that a few hours a day in a preschool would offer variety that the kids weren't getting at home and give me a break. It did, and I felt like I had time to get some stuff done/rest and was a more relaxed parent in the afternoons for it.

I started them 5 days per week on the advice of my friends who are teachers. It's their opinion that toddlers who attend school only once or twice a week have a harder time adjusting than those who attend 3 or more days.

It doesn't work for all kids/families, but, I have absolutely NO regrets! It's worked out really well for us - it's been a positive experience for the kids - they both adjusted well and dd is still friends with some of her PK3 buddies now in 1st grade!

ETA: Both programs were non academic and play based with great outdoor spaces. To me it was about play time - I avoided all academic programs.

[StrawberryFields]

I decided against it and ds will be starting school in 2011 for K5. If I change my mind at all, it will be this fall if he can do K4 on a VERY part time basis. We made this decision based on the fact that once he starts school, that is it. He's in school until he graduates and goes off to work. Right now we are enjoying the freedom, the playtime, the flexibility. I like that we can go to the zoo whenever, we can go to the park whenever, he can spend his afternoons making forts and playing outside in the sandbox. There is plenty of time in the future for academics. We do the occasional activity, like swim class and Sunday school, and he is signed up to go to a couple enrichment classes at the zoo this summer.

Good luck with your decision!

[lerlerler]

For us? DS wasn't ready until 2.9. And then ONLY at a tiny parent-participation non-academic pre-school that allowed the parents to stay all day every day if desired (but, at SOME point the teacher tells you "umm, HE'S ready... go get a cup of coffee and come back in 20 minutes " and it's only 3 hours three days a week

It REALLY helped him to be seperated BUT with tons of other parents he knew. The first day I left him, he was sad BUT sitting on a Mommy's lap that he knew and she was stroking his back.

He has BLOSSOMED this year.... it was a GREAT choice for us. and allowed me to volunteer at my DDs kindy class.

Necessary? No way.

Valuable? In our case? yes.... but I think 2.5 is GENERALLY too young

[mamadelbosque]

I'm struggling with this too. DS1 is all registerd and accepted at the local Head Start preschool program, to start this fall (its morning only, and I *think* just mon-thurs). He'll be 3.5 (or, nearly so, not 100% sure when exactly they start just yet...), and I think he will be/is ready. But part of me is just soo struggling with the thought of him not being around. And part of me is super excited - for him to go and meet other kids his age and make friends and have fun, for me to have time with DS2 for a few hours 4 days a week. If he doesn't like it at all I have every intention of immediatly pulling him out and trying again next year.

[verde]

It really depends on the personality of the child. My DD went to preschool at age 3 because she was ready and interested. She is really outgoing and social and has loved it!

[JBaxter]

I have done 2 mornings a week at 3 ( 2 yrs before kindergarten) and either 3 or 5 mornings ( depending on the child & school) at 4 ( the year before kindy) I felt 2 was WAY to early I was more comfortable when mine were potty trained and a little more independent

I know some SAHM's here who sent their kids at 2 for 6hrs ( montessori full day) I think that defeats the point of staying at home with them.

[springmum]

Thank you for your feedback...

I think I will keep visiting schools and put him on any wait lists for age 3. That way if he's not ready when they call with a spot, I can change my mind.

I am really enjoying the freedom of of our own schedule right now for sure. He definitely is very outgoing so I think he would enjoy it, but I'm not going to rush it for sure. We have lot's of opportunities for many different real life experiences & social opportunities now, so I will continue to take advantage of that.

I need to enjoy him for a little while longer too I see why homeschooling is so appealing sometimes....