Does my 16 month old need activities? And can I skip preschool?

[Anonymous]

COVID aside. My son has a nanny and in normal times would go to library story times and music class at church once a week or so, and playdates, but that's probably it.

My question is, what will happen if he doesn't do much besides play with his nanny and do some play dates? Will it screw him up to not go to daycare, or preschool, or play groups or classes? What if he just does this until kindergarten?

I'm pretty sure when I was a baby my mom planted me in front of General Hospital for years until I went to pre-K, and I'm fine (was successful in school, decent job now). So I'm just curious because around here I feel like it's unheard of to not do anything structured until pre-K or K.

[Anonymous]

Of course not! In fact, many educational experts are saying it’s preferable to keep your child with an engaged and educated caregiver or parent until three at the earliest and preferably four. Toddlers learn from adults.

[Anonymous]

I’d definitely do a morning preK but would absolutely not give a second thought to “socialization” before then.

Daycare is childcare. Yes, it’s absolutely better to go to daycare than to get plunked in front of the TV all day but that’s a far cry from an engaged and playful nanny.

[Anonymous]

I don't think it matters much until PK4. I definitely recommend PK4 though because it does prep them for the often-challenging transition to a classroom in K, especially since K is a long full day in most districts now.

You might consider PK3 if your child seems to be getting bored at home, but that's your call.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I’d definitely do a morning preK but would absolutely not give a second thought to “socialization” before then.

Daycare is childcare. Yes, it’s absolutely better to go to daycare than to get plunked in front of the TV all day but that’s a far cry from an engaged and playful nanny.

Hi, daycare is not preschool poster! I was wondering when you'd show up here!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I’d definitely do a morning preK but would absolutely not give a second thought to “socialization” before then.

Daycare is childcare. Yes, it’s absolutely better to go to daycare than to get plunked in front of the TV all day but that’s a far cry from an engaged and playful nanny.

LOL

[Anonymous]

My kids never went to preschool or daycare. They went to their first day of school in either kindergarten or 1st grade.

They did a few activities prior. The year before they started school I enrolled them in various classes - gymnastics, art, basketball, dance, etc. They went to story hours all over the city. I wanted them to learn to listen to a teacher, and learn to listen with the distraction of other kids around.

Prior to that they went to somewhere kid-centric every day unless they were sick. Various playgrounds around the city, kid museum, aquarium, library/bookstore, zoo, etc.

[Anonymous]

My understanding is activities for the under 2 set (library time, playgroup, etc) are heavily for the parents' well-being more than the kid because it gives parents an opportunity to get out and socialize with each other.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I’d definitely do a morning preK but would absolutely not give a second thought to “socialization” before then.

Daycare is childcare. Yes, it’s absolutely better to go to daycare than to get plunked in front of the TV all day but that’s a far cry from an engaged and playful nanny.

LOL

So you’re saying daycare is not childcare?! Your daycare doesn’t care for, feed, watch and change your children?!

Holy crap, lady, find another daycare!

[Anonymous]

I would probably do a part-day preschool for 1 year before K, assuming it was pretty inexpensive. Nothing before that is necessary.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I’d definitely do a morning preK but would absolutely not give a second thought to “socialization” before then.

Daycare is childcare. Yes, it’s absolutely better to go to daycare than to get plunked in front of the TV all day but that’s a far cry from an engaged and playful nanny.

LOL

So you’re saying daycare is not childcare?! Your daycare doesn’t care for, feed, watch and change your children?!

Holy crap, lady, find another daycare!

Are you the PP who said, "Yes, it’s absolutely better to go to daycare than to get plunked in front of the TV all day but that’s a far cry from an engaged and playful nanny"? I read your post as saying that a nanny is better than TV, but it can also be interpreted as saying daycare teachers don't engage or play with children. That's not the case at our DD's daycare, and it would absolutely be grounds for finding another daycare urgently.

[Anonymous]

He's 16 months. He needs love cuddles, you and the nanny talking, singing, reading to him, and fresh air.


Though nice,he doesn't need storytimes and playgroups.

If we're in the same situation 1-2 years from now and he's about 3 I would encourage socialization with peers.

[Anonymous]

A good nanny - someone who reads to your child, talks, sings, engages and plays - is far, far better than sticking a toddler in a room full of other toddlers. It’s just a fact.

[Anonymous]

They don't need anything until 4 the earliest . by first grade they should be in school

[Anonymous]

"Socialization" is what those of us who send our kids to daycare say when people ask us why we do that instead of getting a nanny. The actual reason is: money.

If you can afford it and have space for it, nanny is always preferable to daycare. The kids don't really get much out of being around other kids before 3, and even then its negligible. The main thing you are paying for with daycare is the adult supervision, which will always be inferior to the one-on-one supervision of a nanny or parent.

Also, kids get sick at daycare all the time. It's super frustrating because your kid will catch something that they obviously got at daycare, but then when they are symptomatic you can't send them (even in pre-Covid times, you can't send a kid with a fever or who is coughing or has a runny nose to daycare). With a nanny, your kid is less likely to get sick in the first place.