Speculate on PK3... emotional component of starting a new school with an inconsistent schedule

[Anonymous]

My son is currently enrolled in daycare but is supposed to start PK3 this fall. If there is a hybrid model, where he is in class a couple days a week and "distance learning" the other days, would it be best to just keep him in daycare? I am worried about him not having structure and honestly, not getting comfort or feeling bonded to new teachers, new classmates, new building, etc. if he only goes every few days. This might sound silly, but what if he feels scared and/or sad and the new teacher can't give him a hug due to distancing protocols? Would it be better for his emotional development to keep him in daycare next year? Ughhh what are others thinking??

[Anonymous]

Is the daycare open now? Will it be open in the fall? If so, I'd keep him where he is.

If he's home now anyhow, then I wouldn't worry too much about the change.

[Anonymous]

His daycare is open now but I believe his spot is promised to another baby this fall since everyone planned on him and his other similarly aged classmates leaving for PK. Who knows if those families end up coming or not. Right now about 50% of kids attend.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:His daycare is open now but I believe his spot is promised to another baby this fall since everyone planned on him and his other similarly aged classmates leaving for PK. Who knows if those families end up coming or not. Right now about 50% of kids attend.

Keep that kid in daycare!
Schools are NOT opening in the fall. Do you want to chase your 3yo to sit on a zoom call?
I didn’t think so

[Anonymous]

For most (certainly not all but most) PK3-aged children, whatever you tell them and model is normal will be normal for them. No need to worry about the bonding or structure, though admittedly it will not be the same as in prior years if it is the hybrid model.

For my (now 6yo) I would have only considered keeping in daycare if I needed a more consistent schedule for my own job.

[Anonymous]

I have The same
Feelings for my daughter who may attend prek3

[Anonymous]

This decision would be very dependent on my IB school and where my child received a spot at.

[Anonymous]

we have been on the fence about leaving our daycare for pre-k even pre-pandemic. If it's only 2 days a week we will definitely unenroll and stick with daycare.

[Anonymous]

We disenrolled from daycare recently and we're waiting for PK-3 to start in Sep. While I know there are a lot of unknowns with DCPS, we will have flexibility working from home, and we can always get a sitter to help.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:For most (certainly not all but most) PK3-aged children, whatever you tell them and model is normal will be normal for them. No need to worry about the bonding or structure, though admittedly it will not be the same as in prior years if it is the hybrid model.

For my (now 6yo) I would have only considered keeping in daycare if I needed a more consistent schedule for my own job.

+1

[Anonymous]

Hell no, it’s been such a mess with my Prek3 student. The ONLY way it worked a tiny bit is that she is very extroverted (I.e., super chatty on Zoom calls) and already had an established relationship with her teachers. If I had another kid coming in this year, no way would I send them. The benefits of public prek (earlier kindergarten readiness, socialization) are not there. Unless it’s a financial necessity, no way would I start Prek3 under the circumstances we’ll have in the fall.

[Anonymous]

OP here. We can continue paying for our private preschool/daycare, though of course free is better! Given the Mayor’s announcement and the COVID plan saying school won’t be back to normal until a vaccine is viable, we will stay with our current school and just pay another year. Sending good thoughts to everyone.

[Anonymous]

I’m curious if you were planning to attend your in bound school or a lottery school. Not sure i would throw out a good lotto option for daycare given who knows if they will remain open either.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Hell no, it’s been such a mess with my Prek3 student. The ONLY way it worked a tiny bit is that she is very extroverted (I.e., super chatty on Zoom calls) and already had an established relationship with her teachers. If I had another kid coming in this year, no way would I send them. The benefits of public prek (earlier kindergarten readiness, socialization) are not there. Unless it’s a financial necessity, no way would I start Prek3 under the circumstances we’ll have in the fall.

+1.
You can still be “enrolled in PK3” to keep your spot and have kid go to daycare. PK3 virtual attendance is not required. If school starts in person in January, you can start your kid then.

[Anonymous]

Not so sure that is true at an in-demand PK3....