When to start preschool

[MrsC]

I found a great preschool for DS (almost 2.5) but I'm torn on when to send him. He goes to Play and Learn classes there once a week with me and loves it. The owner (also a teacher there) is wonderful and I think he'll really enjoy it. She is sure he'll be ready for the 2 year old class in September, which is 2 days a week for 2 hours.
The problem is that the baby is due the week before classes begin. Between the possibility of me recovering from a c-section and the upheaval of having a new sibling, I'm not sure if it's a good time for him to start.
I could try and get him in for January if there's space but I'm not sure there will be. The school is newish but becoming very popular. This is something I can talk to the owner about anyway.
The other option is to wait until next year when he's almost 4. I feel bad about doing this because I already feel like I'm in over my head with this kid. His vocabulary is amazing for his age as well as letters, colors, numbers etc. I don't want to hold him back by waiting another year.
Having said all this, I have no experience with preschool so I would love to hear from those who have been through it. Am I reading too much into the whole "sending him off to school when a new sibling arrives" thing? He's a sensitive kid but also very sociable. Gah, I can't believe I'm thinking about this stuff already! Where did my baby go?

[Thirteen]

I sent DH1 two weeks before DS2 was born (3 yr old class, 3 days a week, for 3 hours).
He's always been close to me, but he was really excited about school and took the start of something new and his brother's birth in stride.



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[Howfunitis]

When to start preschool

[MENTION=1139]MrsC[/MENTION] hope you don't mind. I'm going to piggy back off your post. My little one is 2 years and 2 months and I'm due with sibling #2 this week and I'm at a lost of what to do too!!! She knows her abc's and is talking way too much for her age and don't know if to wait or what since we will be moving in 3 short months. Where did our babies go???!!

[TulipsAndSunscreen]

I was extremely apprehensive about starting C. We had a full time nanny so I kept her home until 3.5 (she's a Jan birthday). She looooves school and I see now could have easily gone to school at 2. That being said, you're not hurting him by not sending him. DD did great with the nanny and I just stepped up the toys and activities they were doing that last year (at 2.5). We also did a simple little "homeschool" (ABC Jesus Loves Me) for 2-3 hours/week because I knew she would enjoy the crafts, etc.

[spaz]

My thought is....it doesn't matter. You are a great mom and so no matter what you decide there isn't necessarily a wrong or right. If you really want him to be able to go in January, then go ahead and start him. If you would rather have him with you, then keep him. I think it will work out either way!!! Hang in there!

[ladymoreta]

I think starting in September would be perfect! That'll give you a couple hours alone with the baby (hopefully napping), and he'll get some fun active time with other kids. Maybe talk to the director about starting a few weeks later (even if you have to pay), in case you're not up for it right after delivery.

[spotty_dog]

Please don't take their precocity as a sign they need structured academics. Remember, if you see them learning and spouting back knowledge, they are already learning all this stuff WITH YOU! You are your child's first teacher. And bright they may be, but the world is still less than 3 years new to them, and there is plenty to discover just with their own senses and being allowed some exposure to the world.

If a 2-year-old preschool program is right for you, your child, and your budget, I am sure it will be a fun and environmentally stimulating place for them to be. But I honestly wouldn't feel like it's somehow academically superior to life with an engaged caregiver (or even a benignly neglectful, overwhelmed-with-a-newborn one. ) -- or a caring and competent, play-based daycare.

[SoonerTexan]

I think you can't go wrong either way. FWIW, Noelle won't start until she is 4 months shy of 5. It was just too expensive and difficult to schedule. I'd like to send my younger ones for two years, but just to give me a break!


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[OrionGrad]

I agree, I don't think you can go wrong either way. I kind of wished DS1 was able to go to preschool right after DS2 was born. It would have been nice to have a place for him to get his energy out and explore, and it seems like so much of those early infant days are filled with feeding/nap time/repeat (not particularly fun for a 2yo).

[MrsC]

This is awesome, thanks all! There's a lot to consider. C will be 3 in October. The class is really for 2 yrs 7 months and up so many of the kids will be 3.
I spoke with the director today and she said I have a couple of options. They can come get C from the car so I wouldn't have to haul him and a newborn in after surgery if it comes to that. Or we can delay his start date for a month if September turns out to be a really bad time.
He absolutely loves his weekly class right now and is very comfortable there. I have to drag him away. The preschool for 2 to 3 is very much play based and they do a lot of crafts etc. But I think he'd get the most out of the social interaction. He's such a sociable little guy and I find it hard to keep up with his demands to see his friends now, never mind with a newborn.
So I'm definitely leaning towards sending him in September/October.
DH will take more convincing though. Mostly because C gets sick about three times a year right now and he will be paranoid about how often he will get sick and bring home illnesses to a newborn. It comes from the crazy things he sees in the ICU. He gets updates on the PICU and even though he doesn't do peds, can tell me on any given day how many cases of RSV, pneumonia, flu etc. are there. It does worry me a little too. Putting C in a group setting for the first time heading into winter with a newborn at home might be too much. Especially when we really don't "need" to. I'm hoping he can go to the open house on Sunday (he's on call ) and see how much C enjoys it there so he not just focusing on that part of it.

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[TulipsAndSunscreen]

Everyone told me that C would get so much sicker than when she was at home with us. She's has ZERO noticeable impact. She hasn't missed a day since school started for illness.

[MrsC]

Good to know!

I think he's on board. Hopefully he can make the open house on Sunday. Is $125 a month good for two days a week?

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[TulipsAndSunscreen]

We pay $310/month for 4 days, 4 hours each day. So that's a little less on an hourly basis but it's not linear obviously. Sounds relatively reasonable to me.

[SoonerTexan]

Good to know!

I think he's on board. Hopefully he can make the open house on Sunday. Is $125 a month good for two days a week?

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That's half the price of any place in my town!!

We will be paying $320/month for 3 days 9-2. Two days was $225-320 depending on the school


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[MrsC]

Yikes ST!
It's weird because the 4 day class (for 4 year olds) is only $190. It seems to be pretty average for around here. Plus it's small and state licensed, which I like. Some of the daycare/preschools are huge!

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