Passing on Preschool?

[Anonymous]

There are so few comments about the "big" preschools this year that I wonder if parents have decided to pass on the super-expensive preschools in favor of less-pricey, more low-key alternatives?

[Anonymous]

It's not "passing" on preschool, it's just finding the best fit for your child and your family. I thought, by your title, you meant forgoing it completely.

[Anonymous]

We passed on the expensive pricey ones but our child was too young for most of them this year. We need to decide whether they are a go for next year. Probably not. Too expensive for what we need and what you get, at least for us.

[Anonymous]

Perhaps everything that could possibly be said about these preschools has already been said (& can be found by searching)?

[Anonymous]

I think all kids need at least one year of preschool before they go into elementary school.

I don't know if 2 and 3 year olds belong in school more than 2 half days a week. I think it is a lot.

Just because your spending 10,000 a year on a preschool doesn't make it better than spending 5,000.

Even paying 5,000 is way to much for a 3 year old to go 2 days a week to color, paint, and play with friends.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:There are so few comments about the "big" preschools this year that I wonder if parents have decided to pass on the super-expensive preschools in favor of less-pricey, more low-key alternatives?

You mean...preschool?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I think all kids need at least one year of preschool before they go into elementary school.

I don't know if 2 and 3 year olds belong in school more than 2 half days a week. I think it is a lot.

Just because your spending 10,000 a year on a preschool doesn't make it better than spending 5,000.

Even paying 5,000 is way to much for a 3 year old to go 2 days a week to color, paint, and play with friends.

I am just curious, what do 2 and 3 year olds do on the other days if they only go to school 2 half days? I work, so my kids have been in full time care since 10 months for the older one and 6 months for the younger one. I have had mixed feelings about sending them that early but it is a really good center, I have very social kids, and from the age of about one I have always been happy that they had playtime with other kids every day and moved into a more preschool like atmosphere as they got older (and the older one is at a montessori program this year b/c she outgrew the preschool component at her center, I am not anti traditional preschool). I really am curious, do you set up playdates every day, do you plan crafts every day, do your kids watch tv every day (for some short period of time)?

My personal opinion is that if I did stay at home, I would want at least a half day program 5 days a week at the age of 2 just to keep them adequately stimulated. My kids thrived from a young age in a full school week environment. but it is not go, go, go all day, there was always a good nap midday and when I arrived they were still having a great time.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think all kids need at least one year of preschool before they go into elementary school.

I don't know if 2 and 3 year olds belong in school more than 2 half days a week. I think it is a lot.

Just because your spending 10,000 a year on a preschool doesn't make it better than spending 5,000.

Even paying 5,000 is way to much for a 3 year old to go 2 days a week to color, paint, and play with friends.

I am just curious, what do 2 and 3 year olds do on the other days if they only go to school 2 half days? I work, so my kids have been in full time care since 10 months for the older one and 6 months for the younger one. I have had mixed feelings about sending them that early but it is a really good center, I have very social kids, and from the age of about one I have always been happy that they had playtime with other kids every day and moved into a more preschool like atmosphere as they got older (and the older one is at a montessori program this year b/c she outgrew the preschool component at her center, I am not anti traditional preschool). I really am curious, do you set up playdates every day, do you plan crafts every day, do your kids watch tv every day (for some short period of time)?

My personal opinion is that if I did stay at home, I would want at least a half day program 5 days a week at the age of 2 just to keep them adequately stimulated. My kids thrived from a young age in a full school week environment. but it is not go, go, go all day, there was always a good nap midday and when I arrived they were still having a great time.

Your children are in daycare or childcare, nothing wrong with that if that is what you have to do. I am talking for stay at home parents, or for families that have nannies. There is nothing wrong with a little one going to a moms day out program, or a half day preschool. I am talking about parents who do not work, or have nannies and they send their 2 year old to a preschool all day.

All kids need some type of preschool before kindergarten. Kids that do not have any type of preschool experience are behind no matter what they do at home with parents.

Preschool is more than abcs and 123 its learning how to deal with classmates, people that aren't mom and dad. They are out of their environment.

Daycare and childcare is something you can't avoid if both parents are working and you can not afford a nanny.

[Anonymous]

I forgot to answer that part, music class, art class, play ground, play at home, go on trips around town, some play dates, very little tv, some learning how to play by yourself time.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think all kids need at least one year of preschool before they go into elementary school.

I don't know if 2 and 3 year olds belong in school more than 2 half days a week. I think it is a lot.

Just because your spending 10,000 a year on a preschool doesn't make it better than spending 5,000.

Even paying 5,000 is way to much for a 3 year old to go 2 days a week to color, paint, and play with friends.

I am just curious, what do 2 and 3 year olds do on the other days if they only go to school 2 half days? I work, so my kids have been in full time care since 10 months for the older one and 6 months for the younger one. I have had mixed feelings about sending them that early but it is a really good center, I have very social kids, and from the age of about one I have always been happy that they had playtime with other kids every day and moved into a more preschool like atmosphere as they got older (and the older one is at a montessori program this year b/c she outgrew the preschool component at her center, I am not anti traditional preschool). I really am curious, do you set up playdates every day, do you plan crafts every day, do your kids watch tv every day (for some short period of time)?

My personal opinion is that if I did stay at home, I would want at least a half day program 5 days a week at the age of 2 just to keep them adequately stimulated. My kids thrived from a young age in a full school week environment. but it is not go, go, go all day, there was always a good nap midday and when I arrived they were still having a great time.

Your children are in daycare or childcare, nothing wrong with that if that is what you have to do. I am talking for stay at home parents, or for families that have nannies. There is nothing wrong with a little one going to a moms day out program, or a half day preschool. I am talking about parents who do not work, or have nannies and they send their 2 year old to a preschool all day.

All kids need some type of preschool before kindergarten. Kids that do not have any type of preschool experience are behind no matter what they do at home with parents.

Preschool is more than abcs and 123 its learning how to deal with classmates, people that aren't mom and dad. They are out of their environment.

Daycare and childcare is something you can't avoid if both parents are working and you can not afford a nanny.

Daycare can also be a choice over a nanny, as some parents prefer more oversight and socialization for their children. Also, working is not what I "have to do," it is what I choose to do.

[Anonymous]

Preschool is important before any child starts kindergarten. I do not think it is important to pay extremely high prices for it.

Find what you are comfortable paying. I had my little one in a in-home preschool with a lady who turned her basement into a preschool. She had two helpers. She had a two day program and a three day program. She also had a elementary ed degree. The kids went from 9-12:30. The two day program was 200 a month the three day was 300 a month. The two day was for 3 year olds and the 3 day was for 4 year olds.
After two years my little one was reading, could do all sorts of things.
I have friends who are paying 1000+ a month and seem to be getting less.

Look around ask friends, ask people around you... Find what is good for you.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think all kids need at least one year of preschool before they go into elementary school.

I don't know if 2 and 3 year olds belong in school more than 2 half days a week. I think it is a lot.

Just because your spending 10,000 a year on a preschool doesn't make it better than spending 5,000.

Even paying 5,000 is way to much for a 3 year old to go 2 days a week to color, paint, and play with friends.

I am just curious, what do 2 and 3 year olds do on the other days if they only go to school 2 half days? I work, so my kids have been in full time care since 10 months for the older one and 6 months for the younger one. I have had mixed feelings about sending them that early but it is a really good center, I have very social kids, and from the age of about one I have always been happy that they had playtime with other kids every day and moved into a more preschool like atmosphere as they got older (and the older one is at a montessori program this year b/c she outgrew the preschool component at her center, I am not anti traditional preschool). I really am curious, do you set up playdates every day, do you plan crafts every day, do your kids watch tv every day (for some short period of time)?

My personal opinion is that if I did stay at home, I would want at least a half day program 5 days a week at the age of 2 just to keep them adequately stimulated. My kids thrived from a young age in a full school week environment. but it is not go, go, go all day, there was always a good nap midday and when I arrived they were still having a great time.

It is totally possible for a SAHM to "adequately stimilate" a 2-yr-old. At that age, it's still mostly about play. I hate the push for early 'school.' At age 2, aren't we still really talking about daycare, not 'school'?

[Anonymous]

It is totally possible for a SAHM to "adequately stimilate" a 2-yr-old. At that age, it's still mostly about play. I hate the push for early 'school.' At age 2, aren't we still really talking about daycare, not 'school'?

\

Is that you, Dr. Laura?

[Anonymous]

It might be but unless you have 5-10 other regular playmates, then she can't do it on her own. The group dynamic without mom or dad is a different experience.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think all kids need at least one year of preschool before they go into elementary school.

I don't know if 2 and 3 year olds belong in school more than 2 half days a week. I think it is a lot.

Just because your spending 10,000 a year on a preschool doesn't make it better than spending 5,000.

Even paying 5,000 is way to much for a 3 year old to go 2 days a week to color, paint, and play with friends.

I am just curious, what do 2 and 3 year olds do on the other days if they only go to school 2 half days? I work, so my kids have been in full time care since 10 months for the older one and 6 months for the younger one. I have had mixed feelings about sending them that early but it is a really good center, I have very social kids, and from the age of about one I have always been happy that they had playtime with other kids every day and moved into a more preschool like atmosphere as they got older (and the older one is at a montessori program this year b/c she outgrew the preschool component at her center, I am not anti traditional preschool). I really am curious, do you set up playdates every day, do you plan crafts every day, do your kids watch tv every day (for some short period of time)?

My personal opinion is that if I did stay at home, I would want at least a half day program 5 days a week at the age of 2 just to keep them adequately stimulated. My kids thrived from a young age in a full school week environment. but it is not go, go, go all day, there was always a good nap midday and when I arrived they were still having a great time.

It is totally possible for a SAHM to "adequately stimilate" a 2-yr-old. At that age, it's still mostly about play. I hate the push for early 'school.' At age 2, aren't we still really talking about daycare, not 'school'?

[Anonymous]

[quote=Anonymous

It is totally possible for a SAHM to "adequately stimilate" a 2-yr-old. At that age, it's still mostly about play. I hate the push for early 'school.' At age 2, aren't we still really talking about daycare, not 'school'?

I was a SAH for 2.5 years and didn't think I "pushed" for early schooling for my daughter. Personally, I believe that the earlier children are introduced to academics (and yes, socialization activities) by TRAINED professionals, the better off they are. Now, being an educator, I may be biased, but my daughter was more than adequately prepared for K this year b/c of the amazing methods used at her montessori.

If you think you're doing a good job as a SAH with your 2 yo, then good for you. But I think that most would agree that academic stimulation - brought down to the level that allows a toddler to digest the information - is not a waste of time or money.

And you seriously need to revisit the difference between daycare and school. I find your comment offensive.