Starting preschool at 3.5 vs 2.5

[Anonymous]

Really torn between starting my 2 year old son in preschool at age 2.5 vs 3.5. Any thoughts/experiences? Will he be very bored at home with me although I take him to playgroups and classes if we wait until he is 3.5? Right now he doesn’t look ready to me to go to preschool but I also realize things could be very different in 6 months. Thanks!

[Anonymous]

I'd enroll at 2.5. I'm assuming this is a 2 or 3 day a week morning program? It can't be that huge a commitment.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'd enroll at 2.5. I'm assuming this is a 2 or 3 day a week morning program? It can't be that huge a commitment.

OP here. The options we’re considering are all 5 days a week.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'd enroll at 2.5. I'm assuming this is a 2 or 3 day a week morning program? It can't be that huge a commitment.

OP here. The options we’re considering are all 5 days a week.

OP I am having the same dilemma. In an ideal world I would start my DC in a 2 or 3 day program at 2.5, but the school I like moved to a 5 day program.

[Anonymous]

3.5 is way too old.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'd enroll at 2.5. I'm assuming this is a 2 or 3 day a week morning program? It can't be that huge a commitment.

OP here. The options we’re considering are all 5 days a week.

OP I am having the same dilemma. In an ideal world I would start my DC in a 2 or 3 day program at 2.5, but the school I like moved to a 5 day program.

Pp here again, I've been keeping my DC busy with music and gymnastics classes, swim classes, and storytime at library.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:3.5 is way too old.

+1. My DD is 3.5 and has been in preschool for over a year, and I can't imagine waiting until now to start her. She would have been soooooo bored last year.

I think 5 days a week is preferable at 2.5, because it gives them consistency vs just 2 or 3 days per week, and at that age consistency and a routine helps so much.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:3.5 is way too old.

+1. My DD is 3.5 and has been in preschool for over a year, and I can't imagine waiting until now to start her. She would have been soooooo bored last year.

I think 5 days a week is preferable at 2.5, because it gives them consistency vs just 2 or 3 days per week, and at that age consistency and a routine helps so much.

Depends on the kid. And if you're doing classes/library programs where other kids around, the socialization doesn't need to be that much different. I started my older kid at 3.5 and my younger one at 2.25. At 2.25 my younger one has had a hard time with the drop off, even after months. My 3.5 year old was ready and adjusted instantly.

[Anonymous]

I put two of my kids in preschool one "semester" before kindergarten, and didn't put the other two in preschool at all. But I had the luxury of working part time from home and my time was very flexible. So I took the kids out every single day to play and socialize. All four started kindergarten with no problems at all. The youngest is in middle school and no problems can be traced back to their lack of preschool.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I put two of my kids in preschool one "semester" before kindergarten, and didn't put the other two in preschool at all. But I had the luxury of working part time from home and my time was very flexible. So I took the kids out every single day to play and socialize. All four started kindergarten with no problems at all. The youngest is in middle school and no problems can be traced back to their lack of preschool.

What can their problems be traced back to?

[Anonymous]

I started mine 5 days a week full day at 2.5, and it has been awesome, no drama & smooth transition. I wish I would have started him earlier like at 2 year old.

[Anonymous]

Most parents are only sending kids that young to preschool because it’s a form of childcare.

Few developed countries start educating children at 2.5 years old.

There is still plenty of time to prepare for K.

Your kid is only going once and once they start school they are in school until they graduate college. That’s a long time.

[Anonymous]

I started at 2.5 for 5 days a week. prior to that we had a nanny. so many tears for the first couple of weeks, but i can't really imagine doing it any differently. so much emotional growth in that year and my kid loved doing all the activities school offered. however, i will say that my kid had very little interaction with other kids up to this point, except at the playground. nanny didn't do any playgroups or anything. so we had to stuff her into preschool to get that kind of experience.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I put two of my kids in preschool one "semester" before kindergarten, and didn't put the other two in preschool at all. But I had the luxury of working part time from home and my time was very flexible. So I took the kids out every single day to play and socialize. All four started kindergarten with no problems at all. The youngest is in middle school and no problems can be traced back to their lack of preschool.

What can their problems be traced back to?

The only one who had problems serious enough that we considered therapy is the oldest, and they can be traced back to his need for adoption.

[Anonymous]

IMO, as long as you are engaging with your child and are happy with taking him to storytimes, playdates, classes if you want, there is no need to start preschool at 2 yrs. 3 yrs is perfectly fine.

Mine were at a church preschool 1 day a week as toddlers, 2 days at 2 yr olds, 3 days at 3 yrs old. Really, at 1-2 it was more because I wanted the babysitting so I could get stuff done. They had fun and had no transition issues with it being only 2 days a week but in no way to do I think it is essential.

I did enjoy making friends with the other parents there so I'm glad I did it. But if you are feeling really uncomfortable with 5-day a week program, listen to your gut and just continue enjoying your life as-is.