Would you switch preschools at age 4?

[Anonymous]

DD is 3 and has been at the same daycare near my work since 5 months. She's very attached to a few of the kids there. We are on the waiting list for a preschool near our house but she won't get in until she is 4 and can attend for a little more than a year until entering kindergarten. It's a Montessori, and they also have a kindergarten option. DD's younger brother will go to the current daycare until age 2 but would then have priority due to DD. But they would be going to different schools for a year. DD will probably not be going to kindergarten with any of the kids at her current daycare.

Would you switch DD at age 4? Or would you just keep her in until age 5 for stability and ease of dropoffs? Montessori is more expensive. I have at times been unhappy with our current daycare though she actually seems to be having fun and learning a lot in the 3s room.

[Anonymous]

We switched at 3.5YO to a daycare that's further from home. It's 100x better academically and about 2/3 the cost of our old daycare. We love it! I can't wait until my smaller one can start this place at 2YO.

What I don't love is that none of the kids live near us. When we go to birthdays, it's up to an hour of driving each way, and play dates are pretty hard. Sounds like there would be neighborhood kids at your new place, so this would be better for you!

If it's a better school, go for it! Expect some roughness though - our easy going kid does NOT like change, and we had a lot of tantrums after school the first month or two, when he was so tired and grumpy at the switch.

[Anonymous]

We are switching at 3.5yrs.

[Anonymous]

We changed day cares at age 4. I was so nervous that my ds will be upset, I brought my husband to drop him off. My son was very attached to a little girl in his last daycare he still is. Anyways the first time I brought him to the new school, he said bye to us and went to play with the new kids. Not even one tear. Now he still talks about the little girl he has not seen in 9 months, but he is perfectly happy at the new place.

[Anonymous]

We will have done 3 prechools in 3 years. 1 at our old location (age 2), one at our new location (age 3) and then PK4 at our DCPS school next year.

I am not worried. They will be fine.

[Anonymous]

I wouldn't. You have no idea how the transition will be. Could be fine, could be awful. Why rock the boat until you have to? And why switch schools only to stay for two years and then have to switch again for elementary?

[Anonymous]

Do what works best for your family. It is important for your child to learn to be flexible.

[Anonymous]

We switched and it was a disaster. Before the change I thought my DS was flexible. He started having major anxiety issues so I pulled him out. If he had to go to the new school because it was near my job or we moved, I would suck it up but since I am a SAHM mom I decided I would skip the Montessori. I really wanted the Montessori experience but I'll get over it.

[Anonymous]

Montessori is vastly over rated.

[Anonymous]

Do you think your current school is bad, or do you just perceive the other one to be better? If you are unhappy with where you are, then switch. If the place you are is good (and don't fall into the trap of thinking "if it's called 'daycare' it is therefore inferior"), I'd stay.

And will this Montessori place cover all the hours you need, or will you be scrambling for coverage?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I wouldn't. You have no idea how the transition will be. Could be fine, could be awful. Why rock the boat until you have to? And why switch schools only to stay for two years and then have to switch again for elementary?

[Anonymous]

If you suspect any developmental issues in your kids I would avoid Montessori as they tend to be less flexible for supporting special needs.

Otherwise I would just do what is best for your family. We were in a similar situation (but with an only child) and stayed at the daycare near work until kindergarten. But it was mainly because all the schools near home were Montessori and we were told to avoid Montessori for our specific kid. I do think the stability was good for my kid, and the daycare teachers all knew her and were super sweet. That being said the public elementary school teachers have been much more experienced and well trained which has been really helpful for DD. And it is SO nice to have her go to school closer to home.

[Anonymous]

We switched schools when our DS was 4. He met his BFF at the new school. Kids at that age are usually very flexible. If you were changing schools at 14, I’d have a different answer.

[Anonymous]

We switched in a similar situation. We were very glad we did. The Montessori was a lot better for DC - it had lots of free play but also exposed the kids to a lot of knowledge. Pre-reading preparation was Phonics-centered and outstanding.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We switched in a similar situation. We were very glad we did. The Montessori was a lot better for DC - it had lots of free play but also exposed the kids to a lot of knowledge. Pre-reading preparation was Phonics-centered and outstanding.

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