Preschool - 2, 3 or 4?

mysweetpeasWil&Wes wrote: I'm sure this question has been asked...but when do you think is the best age to start?? I'm thinking 4 for Wil. He will be three end of August. The cut-off here is now October, so he could go this fall, but they have to be potty trained and I just don't think we will be there. Besides, I'm just not sure he's ready at just turning 3. So I may hold him back until next year when he's a solid 4 years old. Any advice? My mom totally disagrees with me. My sister had all three of her girls in preschool at around 2.5 (part-time).

The thing is, if we want him to go this fall, I would have to get him on waiting lists NOW...and I'm just not prepared or ready to get into it all. My mom thinks it's a socialization thing, but we do plenty of socializing through mom's club, playgroup and all the activities I plan for my club. But I go back and forth.

No debates please. I know it's a personal "every kid is different thing", but honest opinons would be appreciated!

PrairieMom replied: We put Ben in a Pre-pre-school class at age 2. It met friday mornings from 9-11:30. It was unstructured, and basically was just time for him to play games and be with other children, since he never gets that.
This year at age 3 we put him in a regular preschool class that meets twice a week from 9-11:30. They are learning to count, letters, their addresses, and how to write their names, things like that.
We signed him up for 4 days next year.

DansMom replied: We had similar concerns about Daniel. It was only two mornings a week, but he was the youngest in his class last year and barely potty trained when he started. He wasn't yet 3, but turned 3 in the first few months of school, and potty trained literally 3 weeks before school started. You know, it doesn't hurt to get on the list---it's easier to change your mind and withdraw when the time comes if he isn't ready yet. On the other hand, a LOT can happen between now and September. Think about how much they change in six months---it's a huge amount of time at this age. You will have the summer to work more on PT and see how it goes.

The other concern for us was the food allergies---the teacher will need to know epi-pen and an action plan will have to be posted. If you go in with a "safe snack" list, the teacher and other parents will likely use it. You'll still have to check snack every day.

Good luck with your decision!

Maddie&EthansMom replied: I think 4 is fine. Although I did have both kids in at 2. For me, it was more for myself than it was them. It gave me a much needed break plus they got some socialization. They learned a little bit, but not much....not enough to matter. It was also longer than a MDO, which I liked. They call it 'preschool' and when they are 4 they call it 'pre-K'

It's not going to hurt him to send him now, but it's totally up to you. I'm guessing it wouldn't really make a difference either way, kwim? Are you still doing your Moms groups and stuff?

luvmykids replied: I waited until the twins were a solid four, like you said. Macie, who is almost three, will probably start next year but only because a)I'm having a hard time working from home with her and b)she, out of the three of them, seems to be ready to start learning if that makes sense. At three the twins were pretty smart but she is more on the insatiable side LOL

In other words, I think it's fine whenever you think he's ready.

MyBrownEyedBoy replied: Logan's daycare does really really easy preschool in the mornings for about 2 hours tops. He has learned his colors and can count to 5 (he still says chicken any further than 5) and knows about 5 letters in the alphabet song and can tell you what a D and an R look like. I bet Wil may surprise you if you sign him up for the 3 year old class. Logan's birthday misses the school cutoff by 4 days, so he'll be almost 6 when he starts kindergarten. However he's small and I'd rather him be small and older than small and younger. In actuality, it is totally up to you. You know Wil best. If you don't think he'll be ready then delay it.

MommyToAshley replied: Ashley barely made the cut off by a few days. The cut-off was Sept 7th and her birthday was the 5th. I worried about her being so young, but she did well and loved it. It was great for her to learn to listen and follow instructions, share and take turns, etc. It better prepared her for this year when they are doing stuff for kindergarten preparedness. It isn't completely new, so she can concentrate on what she needs to know for Kinder.

If it were me, I would go on the list. You can always withdraw if you decide not to send him. If you send him and you don't think he is ready for the 4's class next year, he can always repeat the 3's class again. It would be harder to do that if you wait another year to send him as the following year he would be going to kinder.

C&K*s Mommie replied: I like the idea of putting him on the list for this year, and seeing how it goes.
Being 4 y/o is not a bad idea for preschool at all.

my2monkeyboys replied: I say sign him up and see how things are when it's time to start. If he's not ready, no big deal. And if he is, then that'll give you some alone time with little Wes.
My Will turned 4 this Oct and we just started pre-k/K work. We have social activities that we do each week. So, if your Wil isn't ready to go but you want to start the teaching part, that's easy enough to do. At his age now, I think preschool is more just for social time and getting them used to school life. It by no means is necessary though.
HTH!

Kaitlin'smom replied: Kaitlin has been going for almost a year now, so she was just over 3yrs old. She needed to be with kids her age and have stimulation, she was board at the sitters when there was no kids around. I woudl at least get on the list just incase you do decide he should go, nothing saying you have to take the spot if your not ready.

jacobsmama replied: Jacob is going to be 3, in less than a week and he is going to be starting preschool in May. The church preschoool has a class it is only on Tue/Thur for his age for about 2 hours. I think it is will be great for him to get some time away from me and learn some extra things in the process... Good luck!

Boo&BugsMom replied: In all honesty, I think it depends on the child. Some kids need that extra socialization before K. Others only need it that year before. I wouldn't worry about academics so much as socialization. Not to sound harsh, but the core/basics of academics should really come from home anyways. Yes, pre-k teachers are there to "teach", but it doesn't excuse parents from doing their job either (I have met a couple who think it's not their job...no joke, because "that's what preschool is for" ). I'm just speaking as a teacher now with some things that I have seen through the years. Some parents put off teaching their kids at home because they figure they will "learn it in preschool". That ultimately, makes it harder for the child and teacher when academic things are not being taught at home. Preschool is there more for socialization than anything else! Problem solving with other children, learning to sit still in a group, independance away from home, learning rules at school, getting use to structure, etc. Don't get me wrong, they SHOULD be teaching them academics and I think a good preschool should and will, but basic things really do/should start at home.

It's simple to teach them the basic academics they will need to know before they go to K and you can start doing that at home now if you haven't already done it. When Tanner was in daycare we had preschool/structure starting in the toddler room (age 1). Not mega structured, but it was something. He learned some, but I can tell you when he learned his reading readiness, counting, and such...it all came from home, not school. It was more or less reinforced at school.

So, my suggestion, because socialization is the focus...if you think he will need more socialization, then go for it now. If you think he'll be fine with just the year before he goes to K, then wait it out. In the meantime, teach him at home his basics if you haven't begun already. If you have other outlets for him (like you mentioned your moms group), then consider that too. I'm sure you'll do what you know is right for him. Don't think because the service is there that early, that it's needed for every child. It's just one option out of many.

Ok, so I realize I more or less said what Stephanie was saying, only with a million more words.

Hillbilly Housewife replied: Well for me, we didn't do preschool, but it was a financially selfish tihng for us...preschool here costs as much as daycare, really, so why would I send my kids half a day when they can go the full day at daycare?!

Our financial situation has changed since then though, I'm able to be home now, and my 'job' is fun money, we don't really need it... but I enjoy the time I spend with my children. Next year, Emilie will be in school full days as well (well - full days being leaving at 7:30, back at 2:30) and so i will probably want to put Naomie in something...whether it be preschool or daycare, for half days or twice a week.

If you think he 'may' be ready, I say put him on the waiting lists... and then if you change your mind and you don't think either him or you are ready, you can just take him off the list. it's much easier to have him on the list now and take him off later, than trying to get him on later with no empty spots.

mysweetpeasWil&Wes replied: Thank you everyone for your honest replies! It gave me A LOT to think about, from both sides, so thank you. I want to find out how different our MMO program is then preschool. As far as socialization, it's totally the same. But as far as academics, I'm not sure. I don't think they teach numbers in MMO. So I'd like to find that out and compare prices too. He loves his MMO program and the class he is in now is for 2's & 3's, so I sorta see myself keeping him where he's at for another year and then moving up to preschool when he is four. So maybe he's already getting what I feel he needs at MMO (with no pressure to be PT). Hmmm, a lot to think about! His nut allergy is pushing me to keep him home I think...but I got to let go sometime!