Preschool or more activities?

[SoonerTexan]

I need to start making a decision about preschool for next fall for N (just turned 3)

Right now she is with the nanny full day Monday/Wednesday and the morning of Tuesday. The nanny has class tues afternoon she the kids either go to my mom or a backup sitter. Thursday they go to my mom and Friday they are with me.

I've looked around and 2 day/week preschool is about $250/month and my options are tues/thurs or wed/fri. I really need mon/wed but haven't found it as an option. This would be on top of what I pay our nanny, so it's a lot

I'm thinking of just waiting another year and enrolling her the year before she goes to kindergarten...when I am done working...and maybe enroll her in another activity during the day. I'm not worried about her developmentally. She has great social skills and is where she should be or ahead in letters/numbers etc. I really just want her to be able to interact with other kids more. She gets along great with her brother but rarely gets to play with kids her age. She does go to toddler time at the library and will be starting ballet in Jan in the evening.

Thoughts?

[OrionGrad]

Your situation is obviously very different from ours, but I'm planning on enrolling DS1 in preschool 2x/week once he turns 3. He also does music class and soccer class each week, so this would be in addition to that. He doesn't get a lot of socialization with kids his own age outside of his classes, so that's a big reason why I'm planning to start preschool at that age.

[TulipsAndSunscreen]

We started PMO (parents morning out - not preschool, just play) on Fridays this year bc our nanny is in school on Fridays. C loves it. To the point where I'm going to sign her up for preschool in the fall. I'm jealous you have 2 day options - here it is only 3 days. And it will be on top of our more than FT nanny. I'm just going to sign her up for 3 days but not always send her 3 days - it's not actual school so some weeks we may do 3 days and others we won't. It won't save me any money, that's for sure...

[Thirteen]

We do 3x a week, 9-12. I started him at 3 1/2 -- he loves school!


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[ladymoreta]

I don't think preschool is necessary for *them* at that age, but I love it for me. There are a couple kids in DS's 4-year old class who have just started preschool. I started him at 2.5 years. They are developmentally about the same. If you'd be more comfortable waiting until 4 to start her in preschool, I'm sure that would be just fine. If it works better for you or your nanny, she'll also be fine starting now. I do think they will probably have some advantage having had a year of preschool before kindergarten, but it's not completely necessary. I didn't have any preschool, and I was ahead of my kindergarten class academically because of the work my parents and grandparents had put in prior to me starting.

[Pollyanna]

Do what is easiest for YOU! Seriously, this is the time to think this way ( it may be your only time). Dance alone is fine. Don't make your life crazy trying to fit in something that is really just an extra at this point. If I did it over again I would only send them at four.

[GreyhoundsRUs]

A is in school 5 days/half-day. She started 2 days after she turned 3. She has grown by leaps and bounds in a lot of areas - confidence, writing, drawing, math. I agree to do what is easiest for you - she'll be fine either way.

[BonBon]

Do what is easiest for YOU! Seriously, this is the time to think this way ( it may be your only time). Dance alone is fine. Don't make your life crazy trying to fit in something that is really just an extra at this point. If I did it over again I would only send them at four.

This. It can be fun, but if it stretches you financially or your sanity, it's not worth it. She will be fine either way. I sent my kids to preschool, but that's because I had four in less than three years and was desperate for a couple hours a day to get things done. It was Montessori and they enjoyed it, but I don't think it made a huge difference.

[SoonerTexan]

I'm leaning towards waiting a year, if only to have the $1200 when I need it after I quit!

[Vanquisher]

Do what is easiest for YOU! Seriously, this is the time to think this way ( it may be your only time). Dance alone is fine. Don't make your life crazy trying to fit in something that is really just an extra at this point. If I did it over again I would only send them at four.

This. Honestly, they don't need anything formal at all. Lexi's first exposure to school was Kindergarten. She, obviously, did more than okay without preschool of any kind. It's completely unnecessary.


Heidi

[gem]

FWIW, at my son's school, the social dynamics got way more complex in the 4 year old Pre-K class. I'm kind of blown away by the cliques and shifting alliances and "boyfriend/girlfriend" stuff. In his 3 year old class everyone played together, no big deal, but he's having to acquire some new social skills to navigate the playground now. I don't know if it's typical, but if so, I'm really glad he's getting some experience with this before K.

[SoonerTexan]

Thanks Heidi...that makes me feel better

[ladymoreta]

That's a good point, Gem. My DS's class doesn't have boyfriend/girlfriend stuff that I'm aware of, but they are getting a lot of experience with the other social dynamics, and you're right about not seeing it as much in the 3-year old class. "G and K were playing blocks together today, and they wouldn't play with me, so I played cars with E." That's a really big life skill, and something that it's hard for adults to teach alone. If it's possible to get her in a 4-year old class next year, I'd highly recommend it. (But if it's not financially comfortable or possible with your schedules, she'll be just fine starting in kindergarten!)

[Ravenclaw]

I think it depends on her personality. If she's fairly outgoing, then I think waiting would be fine. I know my sister is really glad she put her son in preschool because those 2 years made him less shy. My DD is pretty social and chatty so I don't think it made a huge difference for her. (Minnesota has the most amazing early childhood education options btw! They're sorely lacking in CA.) . My DS will be 3.5 in the Fall so I'm mulling over options too. He's extremely shy so I'm thinking for that reason alone it would be good.

[Sheherezade]

I think having some "school" experience before kindergarten is a good idea these days. Kindergarten is more and more like 1st grade and with full day and the focus on academics over playtime, it can be exhausting to kids that aren't used to being forced in to a structured day. I think pre-k and certainly preschool has a softer entry in to institutionalized learning, FWIW.

We had a meh preschool experience for my first and he could have done the same with or without it. We had a fabulous preschool experience with my daughter and it seemed indispensable. So, shrug? It can go either way.

I guess it depends on what's available to her and what works for your family next year.


Angie