Preschool (again)- ALL replies welcome, secular POV esp.

[MissMusic]

Opinions wanted on 2 subjects:

1) Best age to start Preschool? 3 or 4yrs old? I KNOW everyone says "when they're ready" but I'm having trouble finding good, solid data on this.  The last thing I read said 4 yrs.
We have been kicking around the idea of starting in Sept (3yrs) but it seems young. Others say I'm nuts that I haven't started her yet. If we don't do preschool, we'd spend the $$ we would have sunk in that into other activities instead: dance and music class, soccer camp, gymnastics. Plus, more time with Peanut!

2) We found a NICE preschool, and its Methodist. I am not against sending her to a faith-based school as long as its not indoctrination, which this is not. The requirement is 15min/week "chapel", which at 3 & 4yrs is story time with a Bible story. I think culturally, its important that Peanut understand these stories.

Its 3 days/week though. That seems like a lot However, it seems like a very loving environment, very reasonably price. Got a great vibe there when we visited today.  In fact, Peanut got invited to do circle time with one class, and she did it hesitantly, but she DID IT. I think she might be ready but I'm not sure. I'm not ready and thats clouding my judgment.

Any/all advice is welcome.  Age to start?  How to know when she's ready?  Religious vs secular affiliation?

There are 2 spots left for fall.  This school came HIGHLY recommended about 10x over.  I am in the kind of panic where there are chances to do a number of things, but I can't do ANYTHING because I am scared & unsure.

[summergirl1211]

We're just going with the flow and she will start pre-school when daycare says she's ready. I'm honestly not even sure when they start 100%, but it's between 3-4. I still need to ask her teacher how all of that works, although it seems like many J12 kids are starting sometime this year.

I was raised Methodist and feel it's one of the most "liberal" options out there. I wouldn't be concerned at this age if Riley were to do 15 minute Bible reading because they don't really "get it" yet, kwim? I went to a Catholic pre-school because that's what was available in my small town but I was not raised Catholic and didn't feel uncomfortable or weird attending. Honestly I think it would be good exposure for Lillian (both in familiarizing her with religion and being in a classroom setting). It is a big step for you, but it definitely sounds like she's ready. I say go for it!

[MissMusic]

Feb 9, 2015 14:24:27 GMT -5 summergirl1211 said:

I was raised Methodist and feel it's one of the most "liberal" options out there. I wouldn't be concerned at this age if Riley were to do 15 minute Bible reading because they don't really "get it" yet, kwim? I went to a Catholic pre-school because that's what was available in my small town but I was not raised Catholic and didn't feel uncomfortable or weird attending. Honestly I think it would be good exposure for Lillian (both in familiarizing her with religion and being in a classroom setting). It is a big step for you, but it definitely sounds like she's ready. I say go for it!

100% agree here.  I was raised Catholic.  This school is a different feel.
My dad went to Catholic school, complete with nuns that hit you if you were out of line.  Thats some serious shit.

[paddyb]

MissMusic, is it full day or half day? My niece started at 3, and it seemed like a good time to start. they had a different curriculum for 3 yo and 4 yo. do you know if that is the case where you are looking?

[bantyrooster]

I say yes at 3. The school sounds great! G will be in the preschool classroom at DC two days a week starting this year. Since he won't go to K until he is 6 we will put him in a formal (meaning not at DC) preschool when he is 5.

Edit : which will be at church. We are Lutheran, methodist is a nice medium of religions. Great one to introduce the basic stories.

[xanthepants]

If it is just a few hours a day for 3 days a week and this is one of the only structured activities for her with other kids, than I would definitely encourage it now. I think having time with peers is important at this age. She will learn other skills beyond just the general "curriculum".
I don't have an issue with religious affiliations and I think you and I are generally on the same page with that sort of stuff. I'm not sure at 3-5 that it is going to have a huge impact or have her begging you to go to church anytime soon. Just my 2 cents.

[MissMusic]

Feb 9, 2015 14:31:13 GMT -5 paddyb said:

MissMusic, is it full day or half day? My niece started at 3, and it seemed like a good time to start. they had a different curriculum for 3 yo and 4 yo. do you know if that is the case where you are looking?

Half day, 9:30-1:30.  At 4yrs there is a full day option, I think.
There are different classes and curriculum for 3 & 4 yr olds.

The other thing is, she seems to already know what the 3's were doing: letters, weather, numbers, etc.  She can count to 20, recognize a few sight words, knows her numbers and letters, can tell you the weather, etc.  I don't know if it would be beneficial to have her do more of this (repetition is good, after all) or if it would bore/hinder her?

GAH!  I just don't have ANSWERS and it freaks me out!!

[bliz1712]

Our preschool that we will send the girls to is for 3 and 4 yr olds. It's been so long since V was there that I can't remember if they co-mingle the ages or if they are separate days. So I think 3 yrs is acceptable to send them. However for us, we won't send her until she is 4 and only do it for one year. This is also a Lutheran school, but it's only 2 days a week for 1/2 a day with a 3rd day as an option for the 4 year olds.

I say if you think she already knows everything that she's doing then I wouldn't send her until she's 4. I'd rather spend that time with her myself. She'll have many years of school, so why rush to send them at 3? That's the main reason I'm waiting until 4 as well.

[nursedesi]

Feb 9, 2015 14:33:50 GMT -5 bantyrooster said:

I say yes at 3. The school sounds great! G will be in the preschool classroom at DC two days a week starting this year. Since he won't go to K until he is 6 we will put him in a formal (meaning not at DC) preschool when he is 5.

Edit : which will be at church. We are Lutheran, methodist is a nice medium of religions. Great one to introduce the basic stories.

Why will G be 6 for K? Sorry I'm a little confused.

[heatherbee]

I think it sounds like a really good opportunity. I would sign her up if only 2 spots are left, but maybe find out what their cancellation policy is if you decide it's not a good fit as it gets a little closer? The good schools fill up fast and it might be better to have her enrolled so you don't miss the chance.

I also think that pretty much anywhere you go, unless its a Montessori / Waldorf specific school, you will have the same type of curriculum. As a teacher, I think the most important thing that kids get out of being in a "school setting' that young is developing the emotional / social skills needed for kindergarten. My DS will be doing a 2 day a week morning program in the fall, and then at 4 there is an option for a 4 morning a week program. I think it will help him to be ready once kindergarten starts because the ones in my area are full day programs.

[ThePinkSuperhero]

I think it's good for O to be in classes with the same kids every day; I think it's helping him learn how to play with other kids in a way he doesn't really get at one-off or weekly stuff. I think a few days a week could be really fun for her!

[nursedesi]

We are going to do preschool at 4. That being said I'm going to get together with another mom whos LO is 7 months older than DS1 and try to do learning activities two days a week for hopefully 6 hours total. I feel like, me personally being a stay at home mom, can help him learn things that they will be learning in the 3 year old class. The only reason I would send him is for social interaction, but we get together with kids his age usually twice a week as it is now.

[heatherbee]

Also - do they have an option of an "older 3's" class? The school my DS is going to has two 3 year old classes, based on when birthdays fall. Maybe you could ask about that if you feel the material is boring her?

[mightythorgi]

I would do it.

S goes to a twice a week two's class now, also a Methodist preschool. It's been great for both of us, honestly.

Because it is pricey he will just be doing twice a week for 3's come fall. Maybe we will go up to 3 or 4 days when he is 4 but we'll see what is going on financially.

What I love is that his vocabulary has grown and he is much more social. It still takes him time to warm up to a room of people but at school he is like, See Ya, Mama!

We like the curriculum and there is an outdoor classroom so those were both big pluses in our book. They have chapel a couple times a month and he has an understanding that God loves him--since I also attend the connected church I am fine with this. My H attended a Methodist preschool, too, and ended up a fully functional Agnostic, so there's that

I think I've mentioned before this may be my last step on the way to Quaker. I think a lot of how I interpret how we should treat and help others and include everyone lines up pretty well with this particular Methodist church.

[MissMusic]

Feb 9, 2015 14:53:24 GMT -5 heatherbee said:

Also - do they have an option of an "older 3's" class? The school my DS is going to has two 3 year old classes, based on when birthdays fall. Maybe you could ask about that if you feel the material is boring her?

I don't think so.  I can ask though!  They told me to call with any questions, and the director gave me her cell #!

[paddyb]

I would definitely go for it!

[bantyrooster]

Feb 9, 2015 14:49:15 GMT -5 nursedesi said:

Feb 9, 2015 14:33:50 GMT -5 bantyrooster said:

I say yes at 3. The school sounds great! G will be in the preschool classroom at DC two days a week starting this year. Since he won't go to K until he is 6 we will put him in a formal (meaning not at DC) preschool when he is 5.

Edit : which will be at church. We are Lutheran, methodist is a nice medium of religions. Great one to introduce the basic stories.

Why will G be 6 for K? Sorry I'm a little confused.

We want him to be the oldest not the youngest as the cut off here is July 31st. Its the norm around here for later June/summer babies to not go until 6.

[mightythorgi]

I'll add that for the 2's through 4's it's only 9-11:30. They do have kindergarten and kindergarten enrichment classes. We like this option as our local elementary school is less than stellar. And we don't have any guarantees that we will have enough saved to move before he hits kindergarten.

Also, they do so much art! I have a bin full and I signed up for the program they run where they send monthly packets of art and a photo to a loved one, so both FIL and SMIL are kept up to date. Best $40 I've ever spent!

[britbratjf]

Dagny started preschool at our Methodist church this past fall. She goes 2 days/week from 9-1. Next year we had the option of doing 2 or 3 mornings & I chose 3. She loves it. Loves her teachers & classmates & all the crafts they do. And I love getting 8 hours to myself per week. Ifor you like the school I say go for it. I think it's been so good for Dagny getting the social interaction and learning to listen to directions of other adults and how to behave in a classroom.

[sarahandeddie]

I started DD#1 at 3. She went 2 mornings a week and it was perfect. She's learned so much, made new friends, and is learning how to handle a structured environment. We kept her in the 2 day program this year and she'll go 3 days next year (still only mornings).

I started her young for the social aspect. She had always been at home with a parent. We did lots of classes but a parent was always with her. I thought it'd be good for her to be without us for a little bit.

We chose a Lutheran preschool mainly because they were willing to take her even though she missed the cut off by 3 weeks. It was also recommended by several friends. They have "Jesus time" for a half hour each morning. I'm happy she is being exposed to Christianity at school.

[nursedesi]

Feb 9, 2015 15:05:14 GMT -5 bantyrooster said:

Feb 9, 2015 14:49:15 GMT -5 nursedesi said:

Why will G be 6 for K? Sorry I'm a little confused.

We want him to be the oldest not the youngest as the cut off here is July 31st. Its the norm around here for later June/summer babies to not go until 6.

Ohhh I see. Here the cut off isn't until the middle of September.

[starfishy]

She does seem advanced in many areas, but preschool will also work on other areas- fine and gross motor skills, social and emotional development and all around this is how it is in school. I don't think she'll be bored and it's a great opportunity to go a few days week.

[roo1582]

Are you concerned about her socialization skills? If so, then going a few hours 3 days a week might be really good for her, even if you feel she knows the curriculum already. IF she's getting socialization from other sources, then hold off until she is 4. Although, the days she's at school would also give you some time off too if you need it.

[MissMusic]

I talked to DH and we're going to sign her up tomorrow, to start in the fall.

I'm already a blubbering mess, but we both feel she's ready.
She's MY BABY! I haven't had enough time with her! ITS TOO SOON!

[rollerrink]

I think you made the right decision. I think our kids will be ready for many, many things before we're ready. I predict many blubbery days ahead where we'll have to hold each other as these babies skip on ahead.

Congrats on your decision!

[mightybee]

That's great MM! They grow up so fast, right? I bet she will do great and love it!

I'm really happy I started D in preschool because of the social interaction he is getting. I think it's good for him to be around a peer group as well as learn to take direction from adults other me or my H.

[USCgirl]

I don't have any input on the actual schooling bcause I am going to home school, but I feel your stress. If you felt that good about it when you visited, I say go for it. It is much harder on us parents than it is on the kid.

[MissMusic]

OK so I have to update this because I'm all emotional.

I went in today and filled out the paperwork. I was writing out the check and started getting sniffly (WTF is wrong with me?!?!). Peanut was standing next to me and asked, very concerned: "Mama, you sad?" I said, "No Peanut, I'm happy for you but only a little sad for me."

She holds out her arms for a hug. She gives me a great big hug complete with pats on the back. She says, "It OK to be sad, Mama. I love you. Kiss please?" and she planted one on me.

I can't effing fill my heart with any more love right now. It runneth over.

[aimeefarrahfowler]

Feb 10, 2015 14:14:03 GMT -5 MissMusic said:

OK so I have to update this because I'm all emotional.

I went in today and filled out the paperwork. I was writing out the check and started getting sniffly (WTF is wrong with me?!?!). Peanut was standing next to me and asked, very concerned: "Mama, you sad?" I said, "No Peanut, I'm happy for you but only a little sad for me."

She holds out her arms for a hug. She gives me a great big hug complete with pats on the back. She says, "It OK to be sad, Mama. I love you. Kiss please?" and she planted one on me.

I can't effing fill my heart with any more love right now. It runneth over.

Awww what a sweetie. Everyone at school is just going to love her

I didn't respond on this thread because I've talked so much about my own preschool "journey"/decision-making process that I was just tired of thinking about it.

I really can't wait for LO to start in the fall and get some socialization outside of our house and MIL's house. He's so smart and I know he'll thrive.

It sounds like L will be just fine, too

[trixi282]

MissMusic, I think you made a great decision to sign her up. She is such a sweet girl, and you had me "aweing" at my desk when I read what she did.

A few days a week is going to be amazing for her to meet new friends and have some new experiences. I'm sure she'll love it!