Yes yes yes yes. My DD started kindergarten this year and the kids who did not do preschool of some sort are heaving a rough time with the separation from their parents and navigating social stuff, among other things. You can wait until three but the norm and expectation is definitely 2 years of preschool in this area.

Anonymous wrote:I have a 3 yo in PK3 (e hours every morning) and a full time nanny (pickup until I get home from work, then she stays late a night or 2 per week to get her enough hours). My 3 yo loves going to school. She's made some cute friends and they do fun projects. Nanny taught her to read and do basic math - at 3.5 yo she can read a lot of Bob books and do basic addition and subtraction up to 10 - all credit to nanny for that stuff.

That’s amazing! You have an wonderful nanny and seemingly a bright child.

Prek or 3s? Definitely yes for prek- they are ready to socialize at that age (4-5) and start learning valuable skills and benefitting from a somewhat structured school environment. They are younger in a 3s program but I think a half day program is lovely for kids if you don’t need the childcare.

I would do some kind of organized preschool setting, yes. Playgroup is great for socialization but they are not necessarily learning the structure and patience skills they need for kindergarten. Playgroup with other nannies and kids in the park won't teach them to sit still, do circle time, line up for lunch, etc.

Note that I personally think preschool AND kindergarten should be more like it is in Scandinavia or Germany -- much more free play, outdoor time, less structure. But we have the system we have, and kids need to be prepared for it or they won't thrive.

I have a 3 yo in PK3 (e hours every morning) and a full time nanny (pickup until I get home from work, then she stays late a night or 2 per week to get her enough hours). My 3 yo loves going to school. She's made some cute friends and they do fun projects. Nanny taught her to read and do basic math - at 3.5 yo she can read a lot of Bob books and do basic addition and subtraction up to 10 - all credit to nanny for that stuff.

Both choices are great!

I have a hard time putting my finger on what seems so magical about pk. Maybe as someone else said it's the independence. It's amazing to see your little one go off into the world and realize how capable they are.

I also just have wonderful memories of being in a 3s program. It was so so long ago, but we moved right after I turned 4 to a different part of the country and so I know my memories at this one school are from when I was 3. Maybe part of my feeling is nostalgia?

Also, I think this starts in 3s and will really ramp up in 4s: There is something to being part of a community with a specific identify, the rituals that are built into each day, that these teachers in pre-K foster. It's a whole world for her we aren't a part of. I think my child developed a stronger sense of place, belonging, and identity.

Anonymous wrote: And if you aren't in bounds for a solid elementary that most people send their kids to, you can almost guarantee that everyone else will be playing the lottery and will be gone come September.

OP here. Yes, this will factor into our decision for sure.. We're OK with our IB school, but are a 1/2 Spanish speaking house and would like bilingual (although our IB school isn't, and that's not a deal breaker) .. But if we if we get lottery in pk3 with spanish we'd take it to take advantage of good luck that we probably wouldn't have again

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:PK3 is a little optional but PK4 should be required. And PK3 will be helpful to your kid, so why wouldn’t you do it?

OP here. I think this is sort of what I'm feeling. Do we need PK3? (i.e., is it the BEST use of his time). By pk4 I'm sure I'll feel like he is ready, and needs it to prep for K.

My answer to why not is that he's really thriving with his park play group now. He he learns letters, numbers, and spanish with the nanny, and spends time exploring the world in a way he won't be able to do in a classroom/playground. Classrooms also have a ton of useful benefits, but he will definitely be getting that soon... so should he appreciate the opportunity for open ended time while he can?

And to answer a previous question... 2.5yo is a he... I try to think it doesn't matter... #2 is a girl though, so we'll see if I keep that outlook over the next few years...

Oh he's already doing a park playgroup? Then I don't think you need PK3. He's getting socialization, getting out into nature, etc. I say keep on keeping on.

+1 provided the other park group kids don't move to PK3 next year.

+2
If you have a decent PK3 near you, many of those kids may decamp for that next year. Definitely do PK4.

+3. I would not plan on that park playground continuing next year. How would you feel if you realize in September that it's just him and all of the little siblings of the current playground friends left? I agree that pre-K is essential kindergarten prep in this area, but pre-K4 is plenty of preparation. Some 3 year olds do great in a full day program, some don't get much out of it and would be equally well off spending the year with the nanny. Only you can make that judgment call for your child. The other thing to consider is that pre-K3 is a lottery year in DC. If you're not planning on your IB for kindergarten, then it's worth at least doing the lottery to see if you get into a good elementary. And if you aren't in bounds for a solid elementary that most people send their kids to, you can almost guarantee that everyone else will be playing the lottery and will be gone come September.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:PK3 is a little optional but PK4 should be required. And PK3 will be helpful to your kid, so why wouldn’t you do it?

OP here. I think this is sort of what I'm feeling. Do we need PK3? (i.e., is it the BEST use of his time). By pk4 I'm sure I'll feel like he is ready, and needs it to prep for K.

My answer to why not is that he's really thriving with his park play group now. He he learns letters, numbers, and spanish with the nanny, and spends time exploring the world in a way he won't be able to do in a classroom/playground. Classrooms also have a ton of useful benefits, but he will definitely be getting that soon... so should he appreciate the opportunity for open ended time while he can?

And to answer a previous question... 2.5yo is a he... I try to think it doesn't matter... #2 is a girl though, so we'll see if I keep that outlook over the next few years...

Op I also would probably fall in your camp if I were you. I think time with siblings is valuable and shouldn’t be discounted. 100% go for pk4 but it is a new phenomena to have kids in more full day settings as a young 3 year old (I say this as a mom with kids in full time daycare and preschool! No judgement) but the idea that they need all that variety that young I don’t think is really true. That doesn’t mean kids don’t enjoy it! Like some have said. But I think it’s perfectly reasonable to let the last year be a play with sibling and in the park year.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:PK3 is a little optional but PK4 should be required. And PK3 will be helpful to your kid, so why wouldn’t you do it?

OP here. I think this is sort of what I'm feeling. Do we need PK3? (i.e., is it the BEST use of his time). By pk4 I'm sure I'll feel like he is ready, and needs it to prep for K.

My answer to why not is that he's really thriving with his park play group now. He he learns letters, numbers, and spanish with the nanny, and spends time exploring the world in a way he won't be able to do in a classroom/playground. Classrooms also have a ton of useful benefits, but he will definitely be getting that soon... so should he appreciate the opportunity for open ended time while he can?

And to answer a previous question... 2.5yo is a he... I try to think it doesn't matter... #2 is a girl though, so we'll see if I keep that outlook over the next few years...

Oh he's already doing a park playgroup? Then I don't think you need PK3. He's getting socialization, getting out into nature, etc. I say keep on keeping on.

+1 provided the other park group kids don't move to PK3 next year.

+2
If you have a decent PK3 near you, many of those kids may decamp for that next year. Definitely do PK4.

It's all but a guarantee that most or all of them will decamp. It is not remotely common in DC to keep a kid out of free preschool in favor of a park meetup.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:PK3 is a little optional but PK4 should be required. And PK3 will be helpful to your kid, so why wouldn’t you do it?

OP here. I think this is sort of what I'm feeling. Do we need PK3? (i.e., is it the BEST use of his time). By pk4 I'm sure I'll feel like he is ready, and needs it to prep for K.

My answer to why not is that he's really thriving with his park play group now. He he learns letters, numbers, and spanish with the nanny, and spends time exploring the world in a way he won't be able to do in a classroom/playground. Classrooms also have a ton of useful benefits, but he will definitely be getting that soon... so should he appreciate the opportunity for open ended time while he can?

And to answer a previous question... 2.5yo is a he... I try to think it doesn't matter... #2 is a girl though, so we'll see if I keep that outlook over the next few years...

This just seems like an assumption. My kid was out in RCP or on a playground all day every day before PK and I hesitated to let that outside time go, but PK3 is play based, they get two recesses, and she's doing other things that she was not getting to do before school - crafts and arts and music classes that are all other ways of exploring the world.

One thing that hasn't really been addressed is the value of independence. PK teaches independence in a way that parents and nannies often don't think to or try to. Particularly if you have a younger sibling at home, the nanny activities will likely stay at a more manageable level rather than pushing older DC's limits.

The good news is you have no reason to be trying to make this decision yet anyway. The lottery doesn't even open for 5 months.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:PK3 is a little optional but PK4 should be required. And PK3 will be helpful to your kid, so why wouldn’t you do it?

OP here. I think this is sort of what I'm feeling. Do we need PK3? (i.e., is it the BEST use of his time). By pk4 I'm sure I'll feel like he is ready, and needs it to prep for K.

My answer to why not is that he's really thriving with his park play group now. He he learns letters, numbers, and spanish with the nanny, and spends time exploring the world in a way he won't be able to do in a classroom/playground. Classrooms also have a ton of useful benefits, but he will definitely be getting that soon... so should he appreciate the opportunity for open ended time while he can?

And to answer a previous question... 2.5yo is a he... I try to think it doesn't matter... #2 is a girl though, so we'll see if I keep that outlook over the next few years...

Oh he's already doing a park playgroup? Then I don't think you need PK3. He's getting socialization, getting out into nature, etc. I say keep on keeping on.

+1 provided the other park group kids don't move to PK3 next year.

+2
If you have a decent PK3 near you, many of those kids may decamp for that next year. Definitely do PK4.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:PK3 is a little optional but PK4 should be required. And PK3 will be helpful to your kid, so why wouldn’t you do it?

OP here. I think this is sort of what I'm feeling. Do we need PK3? (i.e., is it the BEST use of his time). By pk4 I'm sure I'll feel like he is ready, and needs it to prep for K.

My answer to why not is that he's really thriving with his park play group now. He he learns letters, numbers, and spanish with the nanny, and spends time exploring the world in a way he won't be able to do in a classroom/playground. Classrooms also have a ton of useful benefits, but he will definitely be getting that soon... so should he appreciate the opportunity for open ended time while he can?

And to answer a previous question... 2.5yo is a he... I try to think it doesn't matter... #2 is a girl though, so we'll see if I keep that outlook over the next few years...

Oh he's already doing a park playgroup? Then I don't think you need PK3. He's getting socialization, getting out into nature, etc. I say keep on keeping on.

+1 provided the other park group kids don't move to PK3 next year.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:PK3 is a little optional but PK4 should be required. And PK3 will be helpful to your kid, so why wouldn’t you do it?

OP here. I think this is sort of what I'm feeling. Do we need PK3? (i.e., is it the BEST use of his time). By pk4 I'm sure I'll feel like he is ready, and needs it to prep for K.

My answer to why not is that he's really thriving with his park play group now. He he learns letters, numbers, and spanish with the nanny, and spends time exploring the world in a way he won't be able to do in a classroom/playground. Classrooms also have a ton of useful benefits, but he will definitely be getting that soon... so should he appreciate the opportunity for open ended time while he can?

And to answer a previous question... 2.5yo is a he... I try to think it doesn't matter... #2 is a girl though, so we'll see if I keep that outlook over the next few years...

Oh he's already doing a park playgroup? Then I don't think you need PK3. He's getting socialization, getting out into nature, etc. I say keep on keeping on.

Anonymous wrote:PK3 is a little optional but PK4 should be required. And PK3 will be helpful to your kid, so why wouldn’t you do it?

OP here. I think this is sort of what I'm feeling. Do we need PK3? (i.e., is it the BEST use of his time). By pk4 I'm sure I'll feel like he is ready, and needs it to prep for K.

My answer to why not is that he's really thriving with his park play group now. He he learns letters, numbers, and spanish with the nanny, and spends time exploring the world in a way he won't be able to do in a classroom/playground. Classrooms also have a ton of useful benefits, but he will definitely be getting that soon... so should he appreciate the opportunity for open ended time while he can?

And to answer a previous question... 2.5yo is a he... I try to think it doesn't matter... #2 is a girl though, so we'll see if I keep that outlook over the next few years...