Go to great preschool but late every day, or less great preschool but on time?

[Anonymous]

We occasionally drop my DD off late, after circle time has started, and it is always really awkward, disruptive to the class, and harder on her to say goodbye (definitely feels like everyone is watching). She still has occasional clingy mornings even after 1.5years, and late mornings are the worst.

If it really is free play when you will be arriving, that’s fine, but if they have any sort of organized morning activity like circle time I would not go late every day.

[Anonymous]

Another Preschool teacher here. We have a free play session for the first 15 minutes of class (limited toys) to accommodate stragglers. It’s no big deal to me as the teacher if they come in late, but some kids get really upset if they come in and we ring the bell for clean up 2 minutes later. I had a student a few years ago who decided she didn’t like school at all because she started coming so late and was missing things. I have a student this year that doesn’t mind at all.

My question would be—will it be the same in 3 years when he’s in his pre-k year? Because if it is then I would not choose it. The pre-k year is often when teachers work more on kindergarten prep and you don’t want your child missing it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Another Preschool teacher here. We have a free play session for the first 15 minutes of class (limited toys) to accommodate stragglers. It’s no big deal to me as the teacher if they come in late, but some kids get really upset if they come in and we ring the bell for clean up 2 minutes later. I had a student a few years ago who decided she didn’t like school at all because she started coming so late and was missing things. I have a student this year that doesn’t mind at all.

My question would be—will it be the same in 3 years when he’s in his pre-k year? Because if it is then I would not choose it. The pre-k year is often when teachers work more on kindergarten prep and you don’t want your child missing it.

+1 For a two-year-old, I don't think it matters that much, although it might be a problem for a specific kid (the free-play time often helps kids transition easily), but it will matter (and become more disruptive) as the kid gets older.