Nanny and/or Preschool for a 3 year old?

[Anonymous]

We have a toddler who's 2, and a great nanny who's been with her since our toddler was a couple of weeks old. We want to enroll her in preschool next year for the structured learning and socialization aspects. We are also hoping to have another baby next fall. Should we be considering preschool for 2, 3, or 5 half-days a week? 5 days a week of preschool on top of paying a nanny full-time would require very careful budgeting, if we could even swing it at all.

There's a preschool 2 blocks from where we live, and I'm hoping our nanny wouldn't mind walking our toddler there and back. On days when the weather's extreme, they could borrow my car. If there's another baby in the house by then, the baby could be taken to the preschool drop-off and pick-up when awake, or be left at home if asleep with either my spouse or me working from home.

Does this plan seem workable? (Cross-posted from the main forum.)

[Anonymous]

Sure. I’ve been with a great family since the oldest was two months old. Now he’s 3 and they had another baby when he was two so I take him to preschool at 9 and pick him up at 2. He’s had two killer colds since starting in September and out for a week with each so I have both kids frequently (as will your nanny).

[Anonymous]

Very workable. Keep the nanny regardless of how many days you send your child to preschool. Your kid is going to be sick a lot - more than you can imagine.

[Anonymous]

I would do three days a week for a 3yo. Does your Nammy take your kid out to parks, play dates, classes or anything? Assuming she’s not stuck on the house all day long with just adults for company she doesn’t “ need” socialization. Preschool is nice but not necessary for a 3yo. If budget is an issue, wait til 4 so they can have a year of preschool before starting K.

[Anonymous]

Definitely do preschool . Nannies posting are bias . They don’t like to lose their jobs when kids go to school . I would transition slowly , 2-3 days a week then go to full . It’s way better for the child . My two year old blossomed in school . Her language blew up and she had so much fun . It’s WAY better than a nanny . If you have some job flexibility / days off you can be home with your child when they’re sick . If not you may need to find some back up help .

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Definitely do preschool . Nannies posting are bias . They don’t like to lose their jobs when kids go to school . I would transition slowly , 2-3 days a week then go to full . It’s way better for the child . My two year old blossomed in school . Her language blew up and she had so much fun . It’s WAY better than a nanny . If you have some job flexibility / days off you can be home with your child when they’re sick . If not you may need to find some back up help .

GO back and reread OP. She isn’t talking about daycare and needs the coverage for the preschooler and possibly next baby.

You had a bad nanny, PP, if that was your child’s experience. I firmly disagree that daycare is better for any child than a great caregiver (parent, grandparent, nanny or relative). Children need one-on-one with adults to thrive in the first five IMO.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Definitely do preschool . Nannies posting are bias . They don’t like to lose their jobs when kids go to school . I would transition slowly , 2-3 days a week then go to full . It’s way better for the child . My two year old blossomed in school . Her language blew up and she had so much fun . It’s WAY better than a nanny . If you have some job flexibility / days off you can be home with your child when they’re sick . If not you may need to find some back up help .

Your two year old was in DAYCARE and not “school”. I’m honestly glad it worked out for her but you’re clearly ashamed to say “daycare”.

And it’s not what OP is asking regardless.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Definitely do preschool . Nannies posting are bias . They don’t like to lose their jobs when kids go to school . I would transition slowly , 2-3 days a week then go to full . It’s way better for the child . My two year old blossomed in school . Her language blew up and she had so much fun . It’s WAY better than a nanny . If you have some job flexibility / days off you can be home with your child when they’re sick . If not you may need to find some back up help .

Did you actually read the post? It’s not a daycare or nanny question. OP wants to keep the nanny as she plans to have another baby and is asking how many days of morning preschool.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I would do three days a week for a 3yo. Does your Nammy take your kid out to parks, play dates, classes or anything? Assuming she’s not stuck on the house all day long with just adults for company she doesn’t “ need” socialization. Preschool is nice but not necessary for a 3yo. If budget is an issue, wait til 4 so they can have a year of preschool before starting K.

Our nanny takes our toddler out to parks almost daily. No play dates though, probably because of COVID. There are usually other kids present at one of the larger parks, but our toddler doesn't really know how to interact with them, and I don't know how often they go to that particular one. We don't really do any classes. She does spend almost all of her time interacting with adults. I've started trying to set up some playdates on weekends.

[Anonymous]

In support of the previous poster there are a lot of Montessori and school programs for this age group . They are not the same as daycares. I know because I did tours of many different schools AND daycares . Socialization is important and your child would benefit from transitioning to full time preschool .

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:In support of the previous poster there are a lot of Montessori and school programs for this age group . They are not the same as daycares. I know because I did tours of many different schools AND daycares . Socialization is important and your child would benefit from transitioning to full time preschool .

What Montessori school is nine hours long and is not daycare?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Definitely do preschool . Nannies posting are bias . They don’t like to lose their jobs when kids go to school . I would transition slowly , 2-3 days a week then go to full . It’s way better for the child . My two year old blossomed in school . Her language blew up and she had so much fun . It’s WAY better than a nanny . If you have some job flexibility / days off you can be home with your child when they’re sick . If not you may need to find some back up help .

Question: So what do people do that cant afford a nanny and need to do full time right away? You mentioned its not good for the child and I am wondering why...

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Definitely do preschool . Nannies posting are bias . They don’t like to lose their jobs when kids go to school . I would transition slowly , 2-3 days a week then go to full . It’s way better for the child . My two year old blossomed in school . Her language blew up and she had so much fun . It’s WAY better than a nanny . If you have some job flexibility / days off you can be home with your child when they’re sick . If not you may need to find some back up help .

Question: So what do people do that cant afford a nanny and need to do full time right away? You mentioned its not good for the child and I am wondering why...

You transition in during the end of your maternity leave…

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Definitely do preschool . Nannies posting are bias . They don’t like to lose their jobs when kids go to school . I would transition slowly , 2-3 days a week then go to full . It’s way better for the child . My two year old blossomed in school . Her language blew up and she had so much fun . It’s WAY better than a nanny . If you have some job flexibility / days off you can be home with your child when they’re sick . If not you may need to find some back up help .

Question: So what do people do that cant afford a nanny and need to do full time right away? You mentioned its not good for the child and I am wondering why...

You transition in during the end of your maternity leave…

yea.. whats wrong with that?