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[quote=Anonymous][quote]Anonymous wrote:
I have to disagree with most of the other posters.

I agree that the nanny can teach all of the academics that would be covered in preschool but your DD would be missing the critical social and classroom time that is necessary before starting K. Learning how to sit through circle time, line up to go outside, listen to a variety of adults, share toys and materials with classmates, etc etc. I was a K teacher for 10 years and parents really underestimate the social prep kids need. I can teach reading and math to any kid that’s behind but for kids that don’t know the structure of a classroom it’s very obvious and they often struggle.

Genuine question. They will have the same struggle whenever they start though right? It would be an adjustment its just whether that happens at age 4 or age 5? I assume the kids are basically ok by first grade.[/quote]

Just adding my thoughts to this train of thought.

I would recommend preschool for social and "getting used to a school" routine. You will probably be able to tackle the academic part at home. Any of us with an education can.

BUT I honestly think you're starting her "behind" in so many ways if you don't at least expose her to preschool for a year. #1, you would have someone who is able to tell you if they are READY for school. It's hard to imagine that our kids would not be ready for something like Kindergarten, but Kindergarten is basically what you knew as First Grade.

You will see a mixed bag - kids who have been in daycare since 6 weeks old, 6 months old, etc. and they are very used to an all day schedule - those kids, honestly, seem the best prepared and least ruffled. There are kids that went to preschool half day and they know the routines, their basic numbers/letters, a little bit of reading and how to write their name. All Day preschool, who are somewhere between the Day Care and half day Preschool Kids. Yes, you will find kids that never did preschool, but it's rare.

My kids both did half day church-based preschool and I was happy with their level going into school. But, I saw a large difference in the curriculum from when my daughter was in K vs when my son was (they are 4 years apart at school). With my son, he was expected to know how to read, write sentences, know all his letters and sounds. He was tested on this within the first month of school. In my heart of hearts I knew he would be fine, but we ended up at the teacher's recommendation, getting him tutored half of the school year and he is now on a great track. I'd like to think that he was too young to know that he was "behind," but who knows.

Other options to think about - Mothers Day out programs, Church-Based preschools, and (this might be uncomfortable), just talk to your nanny and tell her the situation. I am sure if you said your child needed to be in school, and for that reason you were reducing her pay $300/month, it is probably not going to be a deal breaker if you are a good fit for her and she likes you. She would only have one child for a part of the day and if you are thinking of a third, she would know she has at least 5-6 more years with you.

Socially, I think a kid needs to go to preschool. Learn how to listen, follow directions, stand in a line, be kind and work in a group, etc. If you're lucky enough to find a preschool near your elementary, you might even walk into K with some buddies. That was HUGE for my kids.

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