Isn't the rush to preschool starting younger and younger these days?

[Anonymous]

OP, I struggled with whether to start my oldest at 2.5 or 3.5. At 20 months, during preschool registration season, I thought no way. That summer, at almost 2.5, I thought it would be great for him and luckily found a spot at a great play-based preschool that had a couple people pull-out over the summer. He went two days a week for three hours at a time. He was with the nanny the rest of the time. With my younger, I knew I wanted to do 2.5, because it was such a great experience for my older. That meant the nanny had about 5 hours per week with no kids (accounting for the drive back to my house from school and then back for pick-up). She did kid laundry, occasional sweeping, light cleaning, and prepared the kids' lunch for when they came home. My kids were pretty clingy and I thought it was good for them to start having that time away from not only my husband and me but also their nanny. That said, waiting until 3.5+ is totally fine, too.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I am the C&C poster and in my mind there is a difference between pre-school and daycare where pre-school is more focused on academics. Maybe we are all talking about the same thing but coming from different points of view .

Agreed. I think the use of the term preschool has gotten inflated to appease parents who think they're doing more for their kids if they're in "preschool" at 2 y/o versus childcare/daycare. If it's play-based and developmentally appropriate, it's childcare because a two year old isn't ready for school. I can't imagine how you could get two year olds to sit in chairs and learn lessons anyways, but you SHOULDN'T even if you could.

This article is a little hysterical, but I agree with the premise: http://www.msn.com/en-us/lifestyle/voices/stop-calling-day-care-school/ar-AAosTVk

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

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Anonymous wrote:Because they need to be College and Career ready in elementary school. The pressure is intense and it trickles down to even the youngest children. It is insane. I feel badly for today's kids.

Yes, if you go to one of these morning preschools, the kids are being drilled on the alphabet and made to run laps around the building!!

Uh, they're really not. My kids have gone to three different part-time preschools (which is what the OP is talking about) in the area and they've all been play-based and about as low key as you can imagine. Some circle time, some snack, just a few hours a week in the early years to start learning how to manage in a group setting. Some people are looking for a place to send their kids so there's a market for it. I think that's about it.

Daycare, you just defined daycare. I send my kid to daycare and think it's great for her, but let's be clear that this is really about the label you want to put on your childcare and the connotations that go along with said label, not any difference in the childcare itself.

Same poster. I don't particularly care what it's called. The OP is talking about and asking about partial day childcare, which is typically called preschool by the places that offer this service. For me, it wasn't about daycare v preschool in the least. I had a nanny and wanted my kid to go somewhere for some portion of some days and in that situation, it's called preschool by most people.

I am the C&C poster and in my mind there is a difference between pre-school and daycare where pre-school is more focused on academics. Maybe we are all talking about the same thing but coming from different points of view .

Have you had kids go through this phase of life yet? Genuinely curious.

The daycares (places that offer infant care through K) take on more of a preschool "curriculum" in the last 2 years. This is usually some very basic exposure to alphabet, numbers, colors, gross and fine motor skill development that will set them up to be able to write...done through play-based activities...for a few hours a day. Then the rest of the day is just free play time.

Preschools (morning only or schools that start at 18 months plus) pretty much do the same thing. They will definitely talk it up a bit more as they're targeting older kids who are ready for a bit more structure than just laying around all day drooling. But it's the same thing. Some of the Montessori programs will take a bit of a different approach, but most preschools are play-based and advertise as such.

Some of the places will have a junior kindergarten program that is for kids not ready to go to K and yes, these will be a bit more academic. It's basically a soft run of what K will be like for them.

There isn't really much of a difference between daycare and preschool, in my experience. I say this as someone who has had 3 kids in pretty much every type of setting due to changing needs with work/moving, etc.

[Anonymous]

I've received more advice and/or judgment on not sending my kid to preschool at 2 or 3 than anything else. I totally get why families do it - need for childcare, socialization, entree into good schools/programs, someone else is paying for it, whatever. But I'm constantly having to defend myself to well-meaning strangers on why my kid is playing on a playground at 10am on a Wednesday instead of at school. (Ok - "constantly" is hyperbole, but it does happen a lot.) I won't go into our reasons or what we've done in lieu of preschool because I am tired of talking about it, but my oldest starts prek4 in the next two weeks and we'll see if our reasons hold up when we she how she does. I suspect that it'll be an adjustment, but she'll do great and thrive. She's so excited!

[Anonymous]

We had our son home with an Au Pair til he was 3. He was in a playgroup program and did swimming and gymnastics classes, and events at the library and other places. We started him in preschool at 3 and he's 3.5 and I'm not sure it was the right decision. It saves us money to send him to preschool over having someone at home, but his naps aren't as great, his schedule is more rigid and I think he's more stressed out. But, I don't want to change things again and cause that kind of disruption in his schedule because I think at 4 he will be very ready, and that's right around the corner.

[Anonymous]

Starting preschool at 3 yrs/9 months is perfect OP - especially in your situation with a great nanny and lots of class

[Anonymous]

We will be sending ours to pre-K 3 when our son is nearly 3.5 -- next September. He's in a nanny share now and they do classes. I'm actually considering whether to send him to coop play (mornings only) or full pre-K. No way is 3 or even 4 too late to start preschool.

[Anonymous]

I hate to say it but I think even the best preschools started this trend for the money. Twenty grand plus a year for 2.5 hours of free play at age two is simply ridiculous.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I hate to say it but I think even the best preschools started this trend for the money. Twenty grand plus a year for 2.5 hours of free play at age two is simply ridiculous.

Who pays $20,000? I pay $250/month.

[Anonymous]

Just keep doing what you are doing. Preschool is mostly childcare and you already have it. People switch because it is cheaper or more convenient.

There are many ways your nanny can ensure your daughter is well socialized, let your daughter enjoy the bonded relationship she has and let her enjoy a carefree childhood.

[Anonymous]

Most preschools in this area start at age 2. We waited until my DD was 3 to put her in a preschool, but she has thrived there and learned so much and loves it, so we will be starting my younger child there at 2.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Most preschools in this area start at age 2. We waited until my DD was 3 to put her in a preschool, but she has thrived there and learned so much and loves it, so we will be starting my younger child there at 2.

I should have mentioned, until 3, my older child was in an in home daycare and by the time she hit 2 1/2, she was the oldest one there and bored out of her mind.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I hate to say it but I think even the best preschools started this trend for the money. Twenty grand plus a year for 2.5 hours of free play at age two is simply ridiculous.

Who pays $20,000? I pay $250/month.

OP is talking about full day preschool, not church-based 2 days/week programs.

[Anonymous]

Wait until 3.5 or even 4.5 and look for morning play-based preschool near you. Keep the nanny.

[Anonymous]

My 2 yo was bored and climbing the walls when she was home with a nanny. Even with a bunch of classes, it just wasn't enough to keep her busy. We either needed a different nanny or to start school. We chose school. Now at nearly 4 she has a bunch of really close friends from school. She's clicked with three other girls and they're really good friends. So many elaborate pretend games. So much fun together. I don't think one off classes with different kids each day would have provided nearly the same degree of socialization or friendship. I hadn't necessarily appreciated this benefit of school, but it's been really good for her. She's a happy kid with her bffs.