What age is Preschool - Educate me!

moped wrote: I read Kristi & Aimee say that the kids are starting preschool. I guess I thought this was FOREVER away, but apparenlty it isn't!

When do kids go to preschool?

MommyToAshley replied: Here it is usually 3 & 4 year olds (by September). Ashley was in the three year old class last year and will be in the four year old class this year. Next year she starts kinder. Some people use the term pre-k for the four year old class.

I think it varies by location though.

mckayleesmom replied: 3-4....But I believe in some areas they have it as young as 2

Maddie&EthansMom replied: Whenever you want them to go.

Ethan is going next year (at 2.5) We started Maddie at 2 years. It's not really 'preschool' but more of like a mother's day out type deal...they just call it preschool. It's 2 days a week and it's longer hours than mother's day out. Neither of my kids got the social interaction that daycare offers and we don't have a whole lot of playdates, etc. That's my main reason for sending them.

moped replied: SO you guys are telling me that in one years time I will be sending Jack to preschool. He will be jsut over 3 by then?

OH MY

luvmykids replied: It's becoming more and more common in the States anyway to send them at 3, but I'm finding out there are still many children who don't go until 4, some even at 5 depending on cutoff dates. (Which was good news for me since the twins are 4 and I only started thinking about it a few months ago!)

They'll be in preschool this year but have also had "daycare" experience that did include some structured curriculum so they're pretty even with the other kids their age.

Definitely time to start doing homework on it though

luvbug00 replied: Kids don't HAVE to go to preschool right? or did I just deprive my kid of her education?

Kaitlin'smom replied: Kait statred at 3 well a couple months past. But yes you could start him in pre-school if you wish

luvmykids replied:
Not yet, they don't. One of these days it will be mandatory. And anyway, somehow I get the impression Mya is just fine!

Cece00 replied: Over here, preschool is 3 yrs old, PreK is 4 yrs old, K is 5

Cece00 replied:
No, they dont HAVE to go.

Preschool is usually more about socialization or as a form of daycare for parents (my son is in preschool, for the socialization before he starts Prek next yr since he has been home with me since he was 1) and not so much about education.

CantWait replied: Here's it's 3 or 4, just depends on the province I think.

Our Lil' Family replied: Our church has PreK3 and PreK4 and then K starts at 5. I have Thomas on the waiting list for both because DH thinks 3 is too young (I don't and hope to win that battle by then) and he honestly thinks that since he didn't go to PreK at all, Thomas doesn't need it either!

Cece00 replied:
Personally, I think the educational system is so bad here in LA (not really where you or I live, we live in cities, but in rural areas...) that PreK really should be required.

I was shocked to learn today (from my 4 yr old's PreK handbook) that school isnt required until age SEVEN. OMG.

Boo&BugsMom replied: Preschool means different things to different people. A lot of people do it to get the children into social settings before they enter K, get use to structure, routines, sitting in groups, learning self-help skills, school rules, etc. I have met a few people who do it for the academics, which I find sad that they aren't learning that stuff at home, but that is a whole other thread, LOL! I "teach" my preschoolers, but I constantly talk to the parents about reinforcing things at home all the time, which is the way it should be, in my opinion. Anyways, preschool isn't mandatory, but I have found that some kids need it, others don't. It depends on the child and what they are getting at home. Some parents start them in a childcare setting for a couple days a week at 2, others wait until they are in their pre-K year and send them to a preschool in the mornings. It's all about personal preference really and what is best for your child. Since I run my home like a school whlie his friends are here during childcare hours, Tanner doesn't go to a different preschool. He would go to K this year if they would let him, he's more than ready to be away from mommy and displays all the things necessary to go to K, so that just goes to show you that you don't HAVE to send them, but there are benefits to it, and each child's needs are different.

holley79 replied:
I always wonder this also.