Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What is the difference between all day daycare and PK3 (minus the fact that daycare can be longer hours)

My son's day care and the PK program he was in were both play based so it was basically the same thing.

Daycare's priority is keeping kids happy, rested and fed, and parents happy. Public preK is set within a larger school and tends to fit the kids into a structure rather than the other way around - eg limits on recess, moving around for "specials," rules about potty training, more testing/assessments, shorter naps. ius its public school, so parents don't have the same authority or standing as in a daycare, and the administration has to deal with a whole host of issues and constraints not present at a daycare.

So your kids at daycare were allowed on the playground ground at any time for outside time? Our daycare has two playgrounds but there are definitely scheduled times for “recess” because it’s not safe for every class to be out at the same time. And our daycare didn’t get to go to “specials” at all.

I’m surprised your PK tested the kids. Our DCPS definitely did not.

Anonymous wrote:What is the difference between all day daycare and PK3 (minus the fact that daycare can be longer hours)

My son's day care and the PK program he was in were both play based so it was basically the same thing.

Unfortunately, at our T1 PK3 (which we love in terms of the classroom experience), the kids are mixed with the older grades for aftercare. Our DD couldn’t cope with rowdy 10 year old boys jumping all over her (and was served orange soda on Day 1). So despite being pleased that we took a chance on our IB PK3, which many here would avoid, we definitely saw all of the negatives of the school in our aftercare experience. Luckily, we have the flexibility not to use aftercare, which unfortunately many others don’t.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:They’re 3. How are they not ready to be in pk3? It’s not college we’re talking about.

Is this a real question? Some kids are happier half-day or no day or around mom rather than a teacher. Some kids would do great in a fully play-based environment, but not in DCPS where ‘academics’ start to seep in.

Research shows PK3 matters a lot for some kids and not for others. It’s value is fuzzy for most high SES kids.

I disagree re: our kid’s PK3 experience. We are highly educated (MD/PhD) and LOVED PK3. Teacher was great, aide was awesome, and our 2yo (Sept. bday) adjusted beautifully. Granted, she was coming from daycare, and there were still a few bumps in the beginning re: potty training, but it was pretty smooth overall. More importantly, she made a great group of neighborhood friends—and these are the kids she’s still closest to years later. We also didn’t find it overly academic—we were fine with her learning letters, etc., and we felt that socioemotional aspects of school were appropriately emphasized. YMMV.

You missed the point.

PP wasn’t making a judgment based upon wether or not kids enjoy their time in PreK.

She was just pointing out that there is no long term benefit to attending if your family is high SES. For example, preK can have an impact in college readiness in vulnerable populations. But statistically, there’s no difference in grades/test scores/college placement of high SES kids who did and did NOT attend preK.

PP here. I think you missed *my* point. PK3 mattered a lot to our kid and had high value for non-academic reasons. The value of PK3 shouldn't be dismissed out of hand for high-SES families given the non-academic benefits that can be had (financial, community, socialization, etc.).

PP is referring to the academic literature on the value of PK (which she is right about), not your anecdotal experience. Obviously there are some high SES PK3er who benefit tremendously from PK3; a fact entirely consistent with the academic literature that shows a limited benefit for the population overall.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:They’re 3. How are they not ready to be in pk3? It’s not college we’re talking about.

Is this a real question? Some kids are happier half-day or no day or around mom rather than a teacher. Some kids would do great in a fully play-based environment, but not in DCPS where ‘academics’ start to seep in.

Research shows PK3 matters a lot for some kids and not for others. It’s value is fuzzy for most high SES kids.

I disagree re: our kid’s PK3 experience. We are highly educated (MD/PhD) and LOVED PK3. Teacher was great, aide was awesome, and our 2yo (Sept. bday) adjusted beautifully. Granted, she was coming from daycare, and there were still a few bumps in the beginning re: potty training, but it was pretty smooth overall. More importantly, she made a great group of neighborhood friends—and these are the kids she’s still closest to years later. We also didn’t find it overly academic—we were fine with her learning letters, etc., and we felt that socioemotional aspects of school were appropriately emphasized. YMMV.

You missed the point.

PP wasn’t making a judgment based upon wether or not kids enjoy their time in PreK.

She was just pointing out that there is no long term benefit to attending if your family is high SES. For example, preK can have an impact in college readiness in vulnerable populations. But statistically, there’s no difference in grades/test scores/college placement of high SES kids who did and did NOT attend preK.

PP here. I think you missed *my* point. PK3 mattered a lot to our kid and had high value for non-academic reasons. The value of PK3 shouldn't be dismissed out of hand for high-SES families given the non-academic benefits that can be had (financial, community, socialization, etc.).

Drop him off with confidence and a smile. Try not to let your worries show, as they pick up on your feelings. Tears at drop off are not uncommon. Often they cease by the time you are starting your car. Give it 3 weeks. The teachers will let you know if there are concerns to address regarding readiness. Chances are he will thrive. Should it turn out not to be the right fit, then explore other options.

Anonymous wrote:He's fine. PreK 3 is meant for three year olds. You're freaking out for no reason.

disagree with this. DCPS PK3 is meant for the *average* 3 year old. If your kid is different in any way it may not be the best fit. Plus, you may just prefer to keep your child out of real "school" for a few more years and let them be in a more relaxed environment.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:They’re 3. How are they not ready to be in pk3? It’s not college we’re talking about.

Is this a real question? Some kids are happier half-day or no day or around mom rather than a teacher. Some kids would do great in a fully play-based environment, but not in DCPS where ‘academics’ start to seep in.

Research shows PK3 matters a lot for some kids and not for others. It’s value is fuzzy for most high SES kids.

I disagree re: our kid’s PK3 experience. We are highly educated (MD/PhD) and LOVED PK3. Teacher was great, aide was awesome, and our 2yo (Sept. bday) adjusted beautifully. Granted, she was coming from daycare, and there were still a few bumps in the beginning re: potty training, but it was pretty smooth overall. More importantly, she made a great group of neighborhood friends—and these are the kids she’s still closest to years later. We also didn’t find it overly academic—we were fine with her learning letters, etc., and we felt that socioemotional aspects of school were appropriately emphasized. YMMV.

You missed the point.

PP wasn’t making a judgment based upon wether or not kids enjoy their time in PreK.

She was just pointing out that there is no long term benefit to attending if your family is high SES. For example, preK can have an impact in college readiness in vulnerable populations. But statistically, there’s no difference in grades/test scores/college placement of high SES kids who did and did NOT attend preK.

He's fine. PreK 3 is meant for three year olds. You're freaking out for no reason.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP, your kid may well be fine so hopefully you are able to keep an optimistic outlook and give it a few weeks before making any decisions. The book "the kissing hand" and the Daniel Tiger "Mommies Always Come Back" are good for your kid but may make you tear up a bit!

To the second part of your question, many schools will not let you put an older child in PK3. You can talk with the myschoolDC folks and the principal at your school about it if you do wind up thinking of pulling him (bearing in mind that principals can change year to year) to make a more informed decision if it comes to that.

Typically you will have to lottery for/enroll in PK4, but after a day or two the principal can move your child into PK3. Same with K/PK4. But it is up to the principal, ideally in consultation with you. But whatever issues you see, they will need to see too.

OP may not need to worry about this. Our child who wasn't ready for DCPS PK3 did fine when we sent him to K on time. He probably would have done ok in DCPS PK4 at 4 as well. He just wasn't ready for PK3. 3 is still really little!

Anonymous wrote:OP, your kid may well be fine so hopefully you are able to keep an optimistic outlook and give it a few weeks before making any decisions. The book "the kissing hand" and the Daniel Tiger "Mommies Always Come Back" are good for your kid but may make you tear up a bit!

To the second part of your question, many schools will not let you put an older child in PK3. You can talk with the myschoolDC folks and the principal at your school about it if you do wind up thinking of pulling him (bearing in mind that principals can change year to year) to make a more informed decision if it comes to that.

Typically you will have to lottery for/enroll in PK4, but after a day or two the principal can move your child into PK3. Same with K/PK4. But it is up to the principal, ideally in consultation with you. But whatever issues you see, they will need to see too.

OP, your kid may well be fine so hopefully you are able to keep an optimistic outlook and give it a few weeks before making any decisions. The book "the kissing hand" and the Daniel Tiger "Mommies Always Come Back" are good for your kid but may make you tear up a bit!

To the second part of your question, many schools will not let you put an older child in PK3. You can talk with the myschoolDC folks and the principal at your school about it if you do wind up thinking of pulling him (bearing in mind that principals can change year to year) to make a more informed decision if it comes to that.

Anonymous wrote:What is the difference between all day daycare and PK3 (minus the fact that daycare can be longer hours)

My son's day care and the PK program he was in were both play based so it was basically the same thing.

Daycare's priority is keeping kids happy, rested and fed, and parents happy. Public preK is set within a larger school and tends to fit the kids into a structure rather than the other way around - eg limits on recess, moving around for "specials," rules about potty training, more testing/assessments, shorter naps. ius its public school, so parents don't have the same authority or standing as in a daycare, and the administration has to deal with a whole host of issues and constraints not present at a daycare.

What is the difference between all day daycare and PK3 (minus the fact that daycare can be longer hours)

My son's day care and the PK program he was in were both play based so it was basically the same thing.

My kid was definitely not ready for DCPS prek3 and we pulled him. It wasn't the "academics" but all the transitions, rules, and expectations that seemed more suited to kindergarteners than new 3 year olds. Unlike a daycare, DCPS PK teachers have a lot of additional bureaucratic context to deal with that doesn't necessarily focus on the needs of 3 year olds - like having to track enormous amounts of data on each kid, prepare them for PARCC testing down the line, etc. By comparison, daycare is fully geared towards the kiddos having fun, being well rested, and being responsive towards the parents (who are actually directly paying the tuition ...) And even if you have a 3 who does well during the DCPS school day, you may find that aftercare is just too much for them.

Another issue is that even if the pre-k teachers are good, the DCPS administration may have little expertise or focus on ECE if problems arise. They know a lot about older kids, but not much about the littles, and they have much less ability to resolve staffing issues quickly.

Of course many/most 3 year olds will do just fine in DCPS, there are also some who do better in a smaller more nurturing and low-key setting for a while longer.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:They’re 3. How are they not ready to be in pk3? It’s not college we’re talking about.

Is this a real question? Some kids are happier half-day or no day or around mom rather than a teacher. Some kids would do great in a fully play-based environment, but not in DCPS where ‘academics’ start to seep in.

Research shows PK3 matters a lot for some kids and not for others. It’s value is fuzzy for most high SES kids.

I disagree re: our kid’s PK3 experience. We are highly educated (MD/PhD) and LOVED PK3. Teacher was great, aide was awesome, and our 2yo (Sept. bday) adjusted beautifully. Granted, she was coming from daycare, and there were still a few bumps in the beginning re: potty training, but it was pretty smooth overall. More importantly, she made a great group of neighborhood friends—and these are the kids she’s still closest to years later. We also didn’t find it overly academic—we were fine with her learning letters, etc., and we felt that socioemotional aspects of school were appropriately emphasized. YMMV.

Thanks for this. And fwiw I totally agree that I looooooved having my daughter in prek3 after being in daycare. I thought the teachers were amazing and so much more dedicated than the teachers she had in her 2 year old class at daycare. But I guess it’s different going from Mom to prek3. It feels so strange to feel he’s not ready after having put her in daycare at 15 months and being mentally ok with that. But circumstances changed and I started to see things differently and now I wonder if he isn’t better off in something more part time. But again this could all be my own fear talking.

PP here. That makes sense. The mom of one of my kid’s classmates (kid who’d been home with grandma) used to hover and pace after drop off in class. Especially at the beginning, but then occasionally for months. That mom is great and we’re friends now, but I think her kid may’ve picked up a bit on her anxiety in the beginning.

If you decide to enroll her, try to put on a brave face for the kid’s sake. And I’m sure you’ve heard this advice but I’m a fan of quick hug and bye, no lingering, even if there are tears (they don’t usually last long). Good luck!