Is preschool for 2 1/2 year old basically daycare?

[Anonymous]

This might sound like an ill-informed question, but is "preschool" for a 2 1/2 year basically daycare? In other words, are there real preschools out there, with classroom settings and some kind of curriculum, for these young toddlers, or should I expect to place my son in a daycare center? I'm slightly behind schedule in getting him on waitlists so I'm just now beginning to apply to centers around the NW area. So far I'm not sure what to expect, or what I should expect, etc. Certainly when he's 3-4 he'll be at a bonafide preschool, but what do I do in the meantime?? Thanks for any insights.

[Anonymous]

At that age, if he wants to stay home, let him. But they will learn something at preschool. Try to make it half day if you can.

[Anonymous]

Some places it is, some it's not. You'll have to just check them out. But yes, some really are structured pre-schools.

[Anonymous]

It can be confusing to distinguish between daycare and preschool. Preschool has changed over the years. Remember when it was called nursery school and was for 3 and 4 year olds? A lot of nursery schools have simply added a 2 year old class (which is what my son is enrolled in 2 mornings a week). At 2 yrs old, preschool is really more for the parents. It isn't until closer to 3 yrs old that kids start really interacting with one another. So for 2 year olds, my son's class is most play w/ a teeny bit of structure. They have free play, outdoor time on the playground, snack, art projects, free play and then a bit of singing. It is from 9-noon. There is a curriculum which is modeled after NAEYC standards. They have themes every month (transportation this month) and a color and shape too. Their songs, art projects, etc follow the theme. Your 2 yr old really does not NEED to be in preschool. My son knows all of his colors, shapes, number and letters but I sent him so he can get a break from me and vice versa. If you are on a budget, I would skip the 2 yr old program. Occasional playdates would work just as well.

[Anonymous]

I disagree with PP on getting the same from playdates- at least our experience with our child and her preschool.. my daughter is an Oct baby too and when she was almost 2, we put her in a two half day preschool. I did search around and was amazed at the differences- one of them bluntly said it was like a playgroup and I saw a teacher watching the kids with this huge tv on.. ack.. Where my daughter ended up going ot is a place where they do have weekly themes- not that they are quizzed- but like the other week it was transportation so they read books on cars/trains/trucks- made arts and crafts with wheels do puzzles, etc.. Every time she goes, she does arts and crafts, plays, sings- AND socializes more than in an hour+ playgroup. She listens to her teachers, is learning to play with others - she's adapted really well and looks forward to preschool. A note is this is a church based preschool- not private - the church ones come out to like $6/hour?

At almost 3 (this Sept.)- she's pretty much going to be doing the same thing- but more playing to build up age appropriate skills- like sewing manipulatives, puzzles, ..

Our experience is that it's worth it- had it not worked out- we could have taken her out at anytime so we are glad we tried.

[Anonymous]

08:33 here, i just noticed that the PP said to skip it if budget was an issue.. so not disagreeing with her!

[Anonymous]

mine goes 3 mornings/week. I've seen some huge things in just a few weeks. Things like when we are done in the playroom--he now helps clean up, sings the clean up song, etc. Now, I've done that with him and my older one since he was born but only after being in a setting w/o mommy did he decide it was time to do it. He sings songs that I don't know so I get to learn new things to do with him, we talk about the projects he makes there, what did he have for snack, etc. I think if you leave them there all day, yes it's like daycare, a few hrs./day for a few days a week and its a novelty for them.

They learn other things that you can "teach" them like independence, socialization skills, following directions from somoene other than you, etc. I think it's a great component but you shouldn't rely on it to teach them how to interact with other kids and adults.

[Anonymous]

OP here - thanks for everyone's thoughts. I've been so confused as I'm new to DC and trying to navigate this tricky world of preschools and daycare centers! I like the center I found (church based) but it's not as prestigious/academically oriented as the private schools (thinking of the River School in particular) so I wasn't sure if it was the best choice. But the center does exactly what the PPs have shared - circle time, snack time, art projects, playtime outside, and there's no TV. The only thing that bothered me was that the infant room was in the same general space, so it really felt like "daycare" and not "preschool". But at this age, it might be inconsequential either way -- more important thing is choosing the right school for K-5.

[Anonymous]

re your concern that a program isn't sufficiently 'academically oriented', I wouldn't worry about that. for preschoolers, learning through play is the best preparation for future schooling--they don't need to do elementary school tasks yet. Doing 'academic' skills at a very early age isn't especially productive, younger preschoolers are not ready for it yet, so they won't benefit as much from academics as from basic play: arts and crafts, blocks, play kitchen, circle time, etc. good luck!