Drop off line vs. no drop off line

[Anonymous]

I'm debating two preschools for my 3 year old DD. One has a drop off line, the other doesn't - I don't have other children such that getting them in and out of the car is a hassle. Is the drop off experience better - i.e. you can see the classroom albeit from the doorway, speak to other parents, etc? Any experiences appreciated. Thanks!

[Anonymous]

Drop off line is an AWESOME thing. Especially in the rain and snow.

Does the school without the drop off line have a parking lot with enough space for everyone who drops off at the same time? And does the school with the drop off line have you pick up inside? That's a better time to peek into the classroom anyway and gives you a chance to talk to others who are picking up.

[Anonymous]

You will love the drop off line if you have more than one. Our school had drop off for the first six month of the twos, and then exclusively car pool line. The drop off was always stressful with several kids in tears. The carpool line really decreases the stress of the dropoff, having mom or dad in the class room just makes drop off harder for some kids.

[Anonymous]

I chose a preschool with a drop off line and I really dislike it. Because of that awful carpool line I don't ever see any other parents/no opportunity to socialize. I'd much rather be at a preschool where you're allowed to walk the child into the classroom. I'm considering changing preschools because of this carpool line. The school does not overcompensate by having other opportunities to meet and socialize with parents. I have not met most of the parents in my chid's class due to the carpool line.

[Anonymous]

We did not have a drop-off line for preschool and despite a pretty long walk from parking to the classroom I would prefer that to a drop-off line. Hanging out waiting for the kids is the main way I started to get to know other parents plus it was nice at times to be able to speak with the teacher about how the day was for DD/DS.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I chose a preschool with a drop off line and I really dislike it. Because of that awful carpool line I don't ever see any other parents/no opportunity to socialize. I'd much rather be at a preschool where you're allowed to walk the child into the classroom. I'm considering changing preschools because of this carpool line. The school does not overcompensate by having other opportunities to meet and socialize with parents. I have not met most of the parents in my chid's class due to the carpool line.

I mean this as kindly as possible, but you really need to let go of this notion that your kid's preschool should be providing you with friends. Even if you were walking your child to the classroom, you're mainly just going to be saying "Hi, how are you?" to the other moms before everyone continues on with their day.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I chose a preschool with a drop off line and I really dislike it. Because of that awful carpool line I don't ever see any other parents/no opportunity to socialize. I'd much rather be at a preschool where you're allowed to walk the child into the classroom. I'm considering changing preschools because of this carpool line. The school does not overcompensate by having other opportunities to meet and socialize with parents. I have not met most of the parents in my chid's class due to the carpool line.

I mean this as kindly as possible, but you really need to let go of this notion that your kid's preschool should be providing you with friends. Even if you were walking your child to the classroom, you're mainly just going to be saying "Hi, how are you?" to the other moms before everyone continues on with their day.

PP here. But there's a difference between a having an opportunity to socialize versus no opportunities to socialize, and the carpool line guarantees there are no opportunities to socialize. Preschool is a way for many families to build community, how can one do that if you never get a chance to meet the other parents? Sure, a quick hello and a bit of small talk isn't going to lead to friends right away, but if you don't even have the opportunity to do that, how do you ever meet the other parents?

[Anonymous]

I hate them as I want to see what is going on in the classroom.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:You will love the drop off line if you have more than one. Our school had drop off for the first six month of the twos, and then exclusively car pool line. The drop off was always stressful with several kids in tears. The carpool line really decreases the stress of the dropoff, having mom or dad in the class room just makes drop off harder for some kids.

+1 love the drop off line-such a time saver. And It's just easier emotionally for my kid to say goodbye to me and leave the car then me leaving him at preschool.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I chose a preschool with a drop off line and I really dislike it. Because of that awful carpool line I don't ever see any other parents/no opportunity to socialize. I'd much rather be at a preschool where you're allowed to walk the child into the classroom. I'm considering changing preschools because of this carpool line. The school does not overcompensate by having other opportunities to meet and socialize with parents. I have not met most of the parents in my chid's class due to the carpool line.

I mean this as kindly as possible, but you really need to let go of this notion that your kid's preschool should be providing you with friends. Even if you were walking your child to the classroom, you're mainly just going to be saying "Hi, how are you?" to the other moms before everyone continues on with their day.

PP here. But there's a difference between a having an opportunity to socialize versus no opportunities to socialize, and the carpool line guarantees there are no opportunities to socialize. Preschool is a way for many families to build community, how can one do that if you never get a chance to meet the other parents? Sure, a quick hello and a bit of small talk isn't going to lead to friends right away, but if you don't even have the opportunity to do that, how do you ever meet the other parents?

If the preschool you choose emphasizes community, there are many ways to meet other parents apart from the drop off line. We do the drop off line and we still see other parents a ton due to school events (back to school picnic,back to school night, Halloween parade/other holiday events etc. But the major integrator has been the birthday parties. Hours of weekend time at non-drop off birthday parties where the whole class is invited will help you bond with parents far more than a few minutes at drop-off.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I chose a preschool with a drop off line and I really dislike it. Because of that awful carpool line I don't ever see any other parents/no opportunity to socialize. I'd much rather be at a preschool where you're allowed to walk the child into the classroom. I'm considering changing preschools because of this carpool line. The school does not overcompensate by having other opportunities to meet and socialize with parents. I have not met most of the parents in my chid's class due to the carpool line.

I mean this as kindly as possible, but you really need to let go of this notion that your kid's preschool should be providing you with friends. Even if you were walking your child to the classroom, you're mainly just going to be saying "Hi, how are you?" to the other moms before everyone continues on with their day.

PP here. But there's a difference between a having an opportunity to socialize versus no opportunities to socialize, and the carpool line guarantees there are no opportunities to socialize. Preschool is a way for many families to build community, how can one do that if you never get a chance to meet the other parents? Sure, a quick hello and a bit of small talk isn't going to lead to friends right away, but if you don't even have the opportunity to do that, how do you ever meet the other parents?

If the preschool you choose emphasizes community, there are many ways to meet other parents apart from the drop off line. We do the drop off line and we still see other parents a ton due to school events (back to school picnic,back to school night, Halloween parade/other holiday events etc. But the major integrator has been the birthday parties. Hours of weekend time at non-drop off birthday parties where the whole class is invited will help you bond with parents far more than a few minutes at drop-off.

New poster here. Oh my gosh, please just switch schools already. You already have previously started your own thread on this issue and now you are derailing this thread. A school is for your child, not you and your social life or lack thereof. Please join a gym, find some hobbies and you will find friends. If you want to meet the other parents, throw a party and invite them. Just to reiterate, the school is for your child not you. Her education should take precedent over your nonexistent social life.

[Anonymous]

^^I meant to quote non social lady not the pp. ^^

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I chose a preschool with a drop off line and I really dislike it. Because of that awful carpool line I don't ever see any other parents/no opportunity to socialize. I'd much rather be at a preschool where you're allowed to walk the child into the classroom. I'm considering changing preschools because of this carpool line. The school does not overcompensate by having other opportunities to meet and socialize with parents. I have not met most of the parents in my chid's class due to the carpool line.

I mean this as kindly as possible, but you really need to let go of this notion that your kid's preschool should be providing you with friends. Even if you were walking your child to the classroom, you're mainly just going to be saying "Hi, how are you?" to the other moms before everyone continues on with their day.

PP here. But there's a difference between a having an opportunity to socialize versus no opportunities to socialize, and the carpool line guarantees there are no opportunities to socialize. Preschool is a way for many families to build community, how can one do that if you never get a chance to meet the other parents? Sure, a quick hello and a bit of small talk isn't going to lead to friends right away, but if you don't even have the opportunity to do that, how do you ever meet the other parents?

If the preschool you choose emphasizes community, there are many ways to meet other parents apart from the drop off line. We do the drop off line and we still see other parents a ton due to school events (back to school picnic,back to school night, Halloween parade/other holiday events etc. But the major integrator has been the birthday parties. Hours of weekend time at non-drop off birthday parties where the whole class is invited will help you bond with parents far more than a few minutes at drop-off.

New poster here. Oh my gosh, please just switch schools already. You already have previously started your own thread on this issue and now you are derailing this thread. A school is for your child, not you and your social life or lack thereof. Please join a gym, find some hobbies and you will find friends. If you want to meet the other parents, throw a party and invite them. Just to reiterate, the school is for your child not you. Her education should take precedent over your nonexistent social life.

+1 Didn't we cover all this already in your thread?

In answer to the question, I prefer drop off lane.