Does your child go to pre-school?

[Theresa]

If so, how many days a week do they go? I'm trying to decide between 2 and one is 5 days a week and one is only 2 days a week. I'm home, so either would be ok as far as me being there to pick her up or if she gets sick or whatever. I just don't know which would be better for her adjustment wise. So confusing.

[~Andrea~]

Gabrielle is too young for preschool yet, but I hope to put her in when she is 3. I would start with either 2 or 3 days a week. From a preschool teacher's POV I think 5 days is a LOT for young kids, especially just starting out.

[Dawn]

ITA with Andrea. Alexia started preschool this past Sept. (she was 2 1/2) and we only put her in there 2 half days. It was plenty enough for her to learn away from me and for socialization, etc. Since I'm home I wouldn't understand the point of putting her in 5 days a week.

With that said, we moved and unfortunately Alexia's been a 'preschool dropout' for about 2 wks. now. :blue: Her school was just to far for me to drive with her only being there for a little over 2 1/2 hrs. each day for 2 days. She has been asking for her friends and her teacher. She misses it and she really wants to be in preschool. I've been trying to find a preschool for her to start sometime this mo. but with no such luck. As a matter of fact I will be putting in one of the issues in the preschool thread.

Good luck and let us know what you decide. :)

[sheila]

Maggie goes 2 days a week. At first, the Tuesdays were hard because there was such a long break between Th & T. But that went away pretty quickly... I think we only had 2 weeks of that being an issue.

I like having the 2 day a week schedule. Next year, I could have sent her for 3 days, but I think 2 is enough for now. It gives me a little break, and it gives her some time to explore on her own.

[Nocona]

Matthew goes MWF for 4 hours each day. Then in June and July it's 2 days a week for 3 hours a day. They are closed in August.

I would definitely go 2 over 5 if she's not used to doing something like that.

[Mandi]

Micayla isn't old enough yet for the one we want to put her in. She needs to be 3 & potty trained. Anyway, it's 2 days a week for 3 hours. I think that putting them in for much more than that would be a little hard on them until they are used to it. I'd start with the 2 day a week and after she's used to it (and enjoying it hopefully!), you can bring her more days.

[Alyssa]

Since he was 22 months, Aidan's gone MW 9-12:30. I'd like to send him at least one more half day and we might in the fall...but damn, it's expensive on one primary income! Another option is to send him 2 full days. The advantage there is Joe often feels like he drops him off, goes home and doesn't have a ton of time to get things done before he has to turn around and get him again.

[Julie]

Jordan started at 18 months going 3 morning a week. Since we moved and he was almost three, the only preschool that I could find that I liked had 3 and 5 day morning options.However they told me the older 2s were in the 5 day program. So Jordan goes to school 5 morning a week and really enjoys it. I miss having him home in the morning sometimes, so occassionally we play 'hooky' :)
But I think since he had a gradual adjustment to that many days, he has been fine.

[TtownAnne]

Caroline started a 2-day (9:30-11:30) program in September. I agree that it's best to ease them into it, and I think you suddenly disappearing every single morning might be a bit much for her when she's used to spending every day with you. For two-year olds her school only had a one day or two day program, for 3 year olds they do two days or three days. Very confusing, now that it's all written out... :lol:

[Karri]

Aidan goes 1 day/wk. I had my choice of two programs --1 day that was from 9:30-2:30 or 2 days (a different place) that was from 9:30-11:30. I chose the 1 day/wk, because I like that he's gone for that extended amt of time. It gives me time to get stuff done and spend a good chunk of time with the twins (not just drop him off to have to turn around and go get him!). At this point, I think anything more than 2 days would be excessive for him (afterall, there is a reason I SAH!)

He will go thru May and have a break till Sept and then in Sept, he'll start 2 days/wk, same times (9:30-2:30). He'll do that for a year and then the following year, he starts K4 (public school!!!!) :eek:

[Bonnie]

I'm starting Caroline in the fall. She'll be 3 in June. My choices are either 2 mornings or 3 afternoons, and I am leaning heavily toward the 3 afternoons since she will be 3 and I like the MWF idea for routine, since I think there is too long a lag between Thursday and Tuesday... When I start Courtney, she'll be 2 1/2, and I'll only do a 2 day program, because I think that's a little young for 3 days...

[Jayne]

Alyssa will start in the fall at 3 1/2. She will go on Tuesday's and Thursday's from 9:00 - 11:30. Our preschool has a great program and because of when her birthday is she is only taking advantage of 2 of the years of schooling.

You have to be 3 and potty trained to start but you can start in the 2 day a week program. Then when your 4 you can go to the 3 day a week program. Then the following year there is also a 5 day a week program.

Alyssa will do the 2 day and then the following year will go to the 5 day 8am - 10:30. The following year she will start all day kindergarten (public School)

Jayne

[Theresa]

Thanks for sharing, Everyone! :grouphugg

Well, DH and I talked about it and we've decided to go with the 2 day a week program. I think she would be fine in the 5 day, but I called the program and they can't tell me if/when she'll be able to get in (she's on a waiting list) or how much it's going to cost (it's based on a sliding scale). So, it's the 2 day program. Next September, she'll be able to be in the 4 year program, which is 3 days a week. After that, she starts kindergarten! :eek:

Wasn't she just a newborn last week? :silly:

[~Andrea~]

:lol: They grow up so fast, don't they. Do you ever think our parents look at US the same way and think "wasn't it just yesterday she was going off to kindergarten" :lol:

[Kate]

I would say that two days would be plenty.

Cameron goes 4 days from 12-2:30. The reason that he is there for 4 days is because he is going to the public school preschool and is also getting therapy while there. He didn't have any problem adjusting. He is also going for the extended school year. He will go to school until the end of July and then have August off.

[AahRee]

The preschool I plan to send Katie to is 2 days a week. She'll start there next fall. I'm actually going to look into adding her into the 1 day a week program for 2 year olds for the next few months, just so she can ease into preschool. Plus, she's not potty trained yet, and she needs to be for next year, so I'm thinking that being around kids who are might help motivate her. :dunno: (It's okay for them not to be potty trained for the 2 year old class, but not for the 3s.)

[Alyssa]

Next September, she'll be able to be in the 4 year program, which is 3 days a week. After that, she starts kindergarten! :eek:

Just curious...will she start "regular" kindergarten at age 4 then, since she'll be 5 in December?

I'm really confused by these pre-K, K4, etc. programs at public US schools. What are they? Caveat that my stupid town doesn't have public K still :firemad:, but it's public in towns around us and we've got many private kindergartens. Even when I grew up, you go to kindergarten right around 5. Most places seem to have a requirement now that you can go to K if you'll be 5 by Sept 30th.

[Dennis]

Alyssa, here you have to be 5 by the cutoff date to start kindergarten. The cutoff varies by district but it's generally between Sept 1 and Nov 1. A lot of schools also have an ECE program (early childhood education) which probably would equate to pre-k or K4.

Dennis

[Eleanor]

Here,in IL, for kindergarden, you need to be 5 by September 1, or do a special petition to get your child in sooner (since Isabelle's birthday is October 3rd, this is a big issue for us! :) )

[Theresa]

Just curious...will she start "regular" kindergarten at age 4 then, since she'll be 5 in December?


Well, she'll be eligible for "regular" kindergarten at age 4, but she won't be starting until the following year (when she's 5, almost 6). Here the kids have to be 5 by December 31. Her birthday is December 20, so we're going to keep her out of school the extra year. I think it will give her a much better head start to be a little older than the other kids, rather than being younger. Also, I *hope* it will help when she gets into junior high and high school. :crossfing

Hope that all made sense. :crazy: