Preschool WWYD

[soultrane]

We're in the process of applying for preschools for next fall and have a few options and I'm curious to hear other's opinions. This is obviously a pretty kid-specific decision, but I'm curious to hear what you all would do. 

Pertinent details:

• He'll be 3 next month
• He's currently in an in-home daycare that he's gone to for about 2 years now
• We're leaning toward a Montessori program so it won't be as heavily structured as a traditional preschool program, but will still provide more structure than daycare

We have the option of sending him 3 days, 4 days or 5 days. If we do the 3/4 day option, he would go to his current daycare for the remainder of the week.  

I'm torn on whether splitting up the week between preschool and daycare is a good idea or not. On the one hand, it might help him transition to "school" if he also has the familiarity of daycare 1 or 2 days a week. He tends to be shy around new people at first so seeing his friends and his daycare provider a few days a week might help. On the other hand, I'm worried that having some school days and some daycare days might cause some confusion since he wouldn't have the day-to-day consistency. 

[ellebelle]

Like you said this is very kid specific, but for my DD we are switching her to a preschool in the fall as well. She will be going there 5 days a week instead of her daycare where she goes now full time. I could split the days as well but we decided not to because we thought it would be easier on her to just deal with the expectations and teachers and other kids at one place instead of switching back and forth. Especially given that you are leaning towards Montessori I think the new school will provide enough flexibility and emotional support for him. Have you toured the place(s) you are looking at to get a feel for how the fit will be for him?

[ellebelle]

Also I clicked the top option in the poll because I thought it was for 5 day preschool but it says 5 day daycare. Is that what you wanted it to say?

[soultrane]

Thank you, ellebelle! I shouldn't try to work and make polls at the same time. I couldn't edit it so I just redid it. Womp womp.

We're touring the Montessori school next week so I'm hoping to get a better feel then.

[boobacat]

I have no idea, hopefully the tour will give you insight.

[eaglewife]

I'd probably lean towards 3/2 just to help with the transition. We are toying with preschool 2 days a week for our stay at home kiddo who turns 2 in July. These are tough decisions. Good luck!

[soultrane]

theophania, DH is a kindergarten teacher and has said the same thing. It's a big help to hear from someone who is unbiased, because I always wonder if he's giving me his teacher opinion, his dad opinion, or his bank account opinion since the 3 day option will cost us the least.

[PiradicalMaid]

It sounds like you've found something that's going to work best for your family and LO, but I was wanted to say--- yay preschool!! How exciting