Who is using all these preschools?

[Anonymous]

From someone who has worked on early care and education policy/research - the research shows that the benefits of high quality preschool are huge for low-income or otherwise at risk children. (That's why we have Head Start, publicly funded pre-k, etc for low-income kids.) For educated, well-off parents (like most on this board), I really don't think the long-term effects are any different between a high quality daycare that costs $10-$15k a year and the preschool/nanny set- up that can cost much more. Of course, it is important to find something that you are comfortable with, but if you can- I'd much rather save the money to build up some comfortable savings and start a college fund.

For the OP- check out the Silver Spring YMCA. It is NAEYC accredited full-time child care/preschool and very reasonably priced. I've heard really good things about it from parents.

[Anonymous]

My DH and I are both attorneys who work full-time and have our DD in a Bright Horizon's daycare-based preschool. It works for our situation, and while there may be "better" preschools out there, I honestly don't believe that my DD will suffer academically or socially as a result of this arrangement. I don't appreciate why some PPs on this board think their choices are somehow superior. Personally, I think the pressure in this area to go to the "right" schools starting as this level is more about parents feeling they need to keep up with their neighbors than what is best for their child and families.

[Anonymous]

I send my 4 yr old son to preschool a few mornings a week. Why? B/c that is about all he can handle. He has sensory issues and group situations aren't easy for him. I am doing what is best for him. I think most families are trying to do what is best for their kids (and try to make a living at the same time). Most of the kids in his school are stay at home moms so his preschool wouldn't be an ideal option for FT working parents (they have extended day but only until 3pm). There are a lot of daycares w/ preschool components that are quite good. But you have to investigate for yourself. I looked into MANY daycares when my son was younger and saw good ones and not so great ones. Pick one that works for you and for your child. My son thrives in a "less is more" environment and would die in some of the academic, high pressured preschools. He would lose it if he was shuttled from Spanish to computers to art, etc. But some kids would thrive on that. Look at your child and make a decision based on their needs and your schedule.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
New poster. You MIGHT (or might not) be wealthy one day, but your children will always have the memories of being daycare kids.

Hey New Poster, this is the mom who spends a sizable portion of her income to keep her kids out of daycare and in traditional preschool with a nanny because she does not think daycare is a good alternative for her family (or for any other families who can afford differently by getting their priorities in order). It is always so embarrassing when you accidentally insult people you agree with.

Wow - this is so elitist. I was actually a poster who had defended you before and now I wish I hadn't!

My husband and I both have the flexibility with our jobs that we don't require full time child care, so opted to go the daycare route - Bright Horizons at work. It is not only convenient and allows the most time for our family to be together (10 minutes from our house and in the same building as work) but I also looked into it for preschool and it does have the accreditation everyone is so fired up about, a great student teacher ratio, and the teachers are well paid and have excellent benefits. It is also a state-of-the-art beautiful indoor and outdoor facility. We feel very fortunate to be able to afford good care. But I certainly don't go around generalizing about others' people choices.

It's fantastic that you guys are able to afford the situation you are in - but you don't have to put others down for making a different choice. I feel great - and really lucky - about our choice but it still feels crappy to read other anon. posters basically say your priorities aren't in order because you didn't go the route they did.

[Anonymous]

I have not read all the responses. To the OP, there are plenty of pre-school/pre-K options out there that accommodate working families and that are affordable. My daughter attends pre-school and my son attends pre-K at a corporate-sponsored child care facility. When we lived overseas, my kids had a nanny and attended a pre-school. The nanny gave them phenomenal care, but my kids actually learned more in the pre-school. Do what's best for your family situation. What you are looking for does exist, you're just looking in the wrong places.