preschool or no?

[NewMoonMum]

SO I'm really starting to think about this.
DS is 2.5 and should meet the cutoff(though we *may* move out of state and cutoffs would be different) to attend next year.
It was never really a discussion, just an assumption it would happen.
Now I'm wondering-should we think about no preschool?

Only things I am sure of are-we are a single-income family. Where we live has a huge cost of living. We have no debt except student loans-but those are hefty. We budget the bleeeeep out of every last dime and are doing very well for the amount of income we have-but our savings for a house are nowhere near what I wish they could be, and getting a house soon in VERY important to me. So I am concerned over the cost of even a 2 day a week program, which where we are at least is substantial.

Also, and again I have not done a huge deal of looking as yet and cannot speak to the philosophies of local preschools, I really dislike the tendency of "academic achievement" being so over-stressed at a time when other skillsets should be focused on instead.

I am at ground zero here. Would there be a problem getting DS into elementary without preschool? Or any other future issues that would crop up without "official" preschool classes?
Oh yes, I should add, DH's Mom is-you guessed it- a preschool teacher.....so it might not be the easiest sell.....

What about making efforts to teach appropriate things at home? And making a point of attending other groups or organizations for the social aspects?

Ah and one last thing-I am expecting baby #2 in early November.


I would love any advice, pros and cons of both routes, your experiences, links to info, anything to get me started here!! Thank you!! Love you Mammas!

ETA: I should add, as it is now we do lots of reading, crafts every day, simple science experiments most days, cook together, go out to the library/park/long walk daily, etc. So adjusting to a sort-of "curriculum" would not be a huge shock to my system, or his.

[kcstar]

I don't see anything wrong with at-home preschool. If we could have worked it out, I was considering anything from beginning day care at 1 year old to homeschooling through high school. In our situation DH didn't have the organizational skills to make homeschooling work, and I am the primary income.

It sounds to me like you have the resources and organizational skills to have fun learning, I would plan on that. Will you be in better shape to do part time preschool when he is 4? IF so, that would be my defense against your mother-in-law... but I wouldn't promise anything I couldn't guarantee.

[Pavlovs]

There is a lot that goes into that decision! For us, it became apparent when our son was around 3 that he needed some socializing. We weren't at all concerned with academics, just that he get used to not being with us for short periods of time, that he met other kids, and had fun doing crafts and playing.

We live on a very modest budget and could never afford private preschool. I looked through the local community center, and it turns out they had a part time preschool program (2 hours twice a week for 3 year olds, then 5 hours per week for 4 year olds) for something like $200 for an entire semester. Real cheap! We were thankful that the teachers were awesome and he thrived there. About halfway through the second year, when he was 4, we ended up getting a scholarship for full time preschool at a local temple which was amazing. Our son was clearly ready for it and loved every second there. He learned a lot, had tons of fun, met lots of kids that he now goes to 1st grade with, and developed a fondness of the school setting.

That being said, it was a great choice for him. Had he not loved it, or complained about it in some way, or was stressed about the academics, we'd have pulled him from either/both programs. He just was at a point where he wanted the social and academic stimulation. My point being, what is your read on your son? Does he seem to want more activities than you provide him at home? Does he get enough social interaction - or does he even like it? Is he ready to be away from you for parts of the day (or heck, maybe you're ready to have a break yourself during the day - nothing wrong with that! )

[Peony]

At 2.5y of age, I feel that there are many more years of possible preschool ahead. I certainly don't feel that it is essential that that age, I don't think every child has to go at all either. If I were sending my child to public all day K at age 5 then I would do a couple days of a PK the year before to assist in the transition, but that is still years away for you guys. With a baby coming in November, you can agree the germ issue with your MIL, your child will be bringing home many a cold with PK, not the mention the hassle of getting out twice a day in the winter with an infant to go get older child from school. I also don't feel that you need to do anything different then you are already doing in already to do "preschool at home". DD2 is in preschool and all it is is crafts, nature walks, storytime, songs, lunch, recess, more snacks, and rest.

[Xerxella]

Have you checked out your local library? Ours (and many others) have short classes once or twice a week for 1/2 hour or so that the 3-5 set can go to. And, the best thing is their free!

We opted out of 3 yo preschool, but that's because I'll be going back to work full time next July and he'll be in all day daycare then, so I'll enjoy the time with him now.