Would you send your 3 year old to a quality early childcare center that primarily serves lower income Latino families?

[Anonymous]

We're not inthe NCR and probably won't move back given the political situation, so this is a little off-topic, but I know many in this community are interested in and experienced with dual language programs.

I live in a state where we only have half-day pre-k, and there aren't that many quality preschools in my area. However, I recently founda childcare center run through a Latino non-profit that is dual-language, has low ratios for our state, uses Creative Curriculum and Conscious Discipline (even hosting workshops for parents!), lead teacher has a bachelor’s in ECE, and it’s a newer facility. I have friends who have had positive things to say who have provided therapy to other locationsrun by the nonprofit.

The thing is, he will be one of the only (possibly only?) non-Hispanic children in his class, and will he feel like he's different? My other concern is not getting enough exposure to the English language from peers at his level, since his expressive language is advanced.

What are your thoughts? Would you send your preschool-aged child to a center like this?

[Anonymous]

Absolutely. Without hesitation.

My son was in a special education preschool class where he was one of two typically developing students. He was a “community member” who did not have an IEP and modeled typical preschool behaviors. He loved it and we loved that he was in a small class with an outstanding licensed teacher and two aides.

Our daughter attended a preschool in a public charter here in DC with the majority of students from low-income households. Again, she had excellent teachers and loved her classmates.

Your son gets plenty of exposure to English at home and will from his teachers. It’s all good.

[Anonymous]

Yes. My child is in a diverse dual language elementary school and she has become friends with kids of all backgrounds. Your kid will be fine. The bigger challenge will be getting over your own biases to connect with other parents of you want to try to set up playdates and such.

[Anonymous]

Yes, we sent our kids to a daycare/preschool like that (there were a handful of full pay families in each classroom). It was a great school! Our oldest learned Spanish before English. Sadly, our public elementary school doesn't teach Spanish so they lost their second language skills, but they are doing fine with English now. The only challenge for me was communicating with some of the teachers who came from Latin America, but my spouse was fairly fluent so took charge there. All of the Spanish-speaking parents also spoke English, fortunately. We set up class playdates at local playgrounds.

[Anonymous]

I would 100% send my kids. It sounds like a wonderful program!

[Anonymous]

At 3, it’s totally fine. In elementary my kid was having social issues in that there weren’t that many nerdy or creative kids and he wasn’t much into soccer, plus there weren’t barely any birthday parties, hard to get a play date or even host one (I tried!).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Yes, we sent our kids to a daycare/preschool like that (there were a handful of full pay families in each classroom). It was a great school! Our oldest learned Spanish before English. Sadly, our public elementary school doesn't teach Spanish so they lost their second language skills, but they are doing fine with English now. The only challenge for me was communicating with some of the teachers who came from Latin America, but my spouse was fairly fluent so took charge there. All of the Spanish-speaking parents also spoke English, fortunately. We set up class playdates at local playgrounds.

Thanks for sharing! That was one of the negatives the therapists found since none that have gone to the site are fluent…nor am I. Trying to learn more though.

[Anonymous]

No.
My problem is not LATINO parents and their children. I am all for language immersion for my child.

My problem is lower income families. There is nothing good about poverty. Poverty is a curse. And many children and parents are traumatized because of that.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:No.
My problem is not LATINO parents and their children. I am all for language immersion for my child.

My problem is lower income families. There is nothing good about poverty. Poverty is a curse. And many children and parents are traumatized because of that.

Then this program might right for your kid, but not for you.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:No.
My problem is not LATINO parents and their children. I am all for language immersion for my child.

My problem is lower income families. There is nothing good about poverty. Poverty is a curse. And many children and parents are traumatized because of that.

Maybe you can verbalize what exactly you’re afraid of.

Are you afraid your kids will catch The Poverty? Are you afraid your kids will accidentally touch Walmart quality clothing? Or they’ll be invited to a play date at someone’s *gasp* apartment? Poverty isn’t contagious. I’m not sure what your issue is. Unless your issue is just being around poor people.

[Anonymous]

Yes absolutely

[Anonymous]

My (UMC white) kids went to a cheap church preschool where they were the only white and I imagine the only UMC children. The other children were all Chinese (non-English speaking prior to starting preschool) or black (roughly split half and half). It was a great experience, but I would say the diversity aspect neither helped nor hurt. It was good because the families were engaged, the teachers were great (and native speakers), the curriculum was good. The non-English speakers learned English very quickly. It was funny when my kids started K at a very white school, I would ask who they wanted to have over for a playdate, and invariably the child they would have over would be the one black girl in class. So I figure that part of their early childhood education could only have been helpful in making them feel comfortable with children with different backgrounds.

[Anonymous]

OP, are you insinuating that life is somehow more difficult for someone who is in a linguistic or cultural minority in a larger group?

[Anonymous]

Honestly these are some artificially low income i bet if ice was called to deport the tru low income like op would be in these centers.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:No.
My problem is not LATINO parents and their children. I am all for language immersion for my child.

My problem is lower income families. There is nothing good about poverty. Poverty is a curse. And many children and parents are traumatized because of that.

Maybe you can verbalize what exactly you’re afraid of.

Are you afraid your kids will catch The Poverty? Are you afraid your kids will accidentally touch Walmart quality clothing? Or they’ll be invited to a play date at someone’s *gasp* apartment? Poverty isn’t contagious. I’m not sure what your issue is. Unless your issue is just being around poor people.

How does being around poor children benefit my child?