Preschool Question

There is no one size fits all answer when it comes to prescool, some kids go for 3 years and others go for one it just depends on your situation and your child's needs. My first daughter went to preschool for 3 years, when she was 2 I wanted to go back to school, I sent her to a preschool that was a lab school for the college of education, her regular teacher had a Master's degree and the student teachers were all working on education degrees. I went to classes while she was in school 2 days a week. When she was 3 we did preschool 4 days a week, and when she was 4 it was also 4 days a week. But with my second daughter I have decided to wait until she turns 3 to start preschool. There are a variety of reasons why, my oldest had no other children to play with at home and seemed to need the socialization more, while my youngest had a big sister and we had more playdates with other children. I also was concerned that my younger daughter was not emotionally ready to be left at school, and she did not have the speak skills that I felt she would need to communicate her needs to her teacher. I also started taking all my college classes in the evenings so I did not need anyone else to care for her during the day. But just because we did not do a formal prescool this year does not mean that we did nothing, I found a wonderful playgroup that I took my daughter to once a week, and I took her to the library story time each week as well, my library has a storytime that is just for 2 year olds so that was great. We also did a music and movement class and a swiming class for a few weeks. Preschool is a wonderful enriching experience for young children and I really reccomend it for every child to have at least one year. My younger daughter is going to start preschool next school year and the year after as well so she will have 2 years of preschool. Just make sure that you tour the school before hand and make sure that you really like the teacher and the program. If you find out that the school is not what you want for your child don't be afriad to find a different school. Good luck!

My son who had an October birthday did 3 years of preschool, starting the month before he turned 3. He did 2 days a week the first year, 3 the second, and 4 the third. My daughter who has a June birthday will do 2 years of preschool before she goes to kindergarten. 3 days a week both years (she goes to a different preschool).

Some school districts have 4 year old kindergarten or pre-kindergarten. This is just another name for preschool! Some of these programs are targeted at high risk populations.

Anyway - there is nothing mandating preschool and your child can do no preschool and do really well. But I think if you are planning on sending your child to a typical classroom environment at kindergarten, preschool is a great way to ease into that kind of environment. And for each of my kids the length of time they are going seems great. Every child is a little different. Good luck! You may want to talk to some local folks about what they do for preschool - the choices are endless depending on where you live!

Edited to say - someone mentioned curriculum. Neither preschool we went to had a true curriculum as you think of writing and pre reading skill. They are both very fun, play based, and open ended for high achieving kids. For my kids, it's good to have something that wasn't so lockstep (my son is a very high achiever and is actually a very poor fit at public school right now due to this). But still was great for social skills.

Hi A.!
They typically want them potty trained first.
the program we went to began at 3yrs.
my 1st son went for 3yrs. of PreK (however, he was a late summer bday, so our PreK program had a 5yr.old class that we put him in - all those kids were the summer bday kids) it was awesome!
my middle went 2 yrs. because his bday fell in the middle of schoolyear and we didn't have to make that decision.
and now my third is going this coming schoolyear.
my first 2 went to Zion in Anoka (a Lutheran church, however, our Catholic school wasn't offering a PreK program then; and I know they are considering it for the near future)
I think we are sending #3 to Mt. Olive in Anoka (simply because we moved to that side of town and it works better for our current schedules) it's also a great program.
Start contacting some of the pre-k programs in your area so you can decide what is right for you child.
You will know when he is ready.
Good luck.

My daughter began going two days a week when she was 2 1/2 for half days. I mainly signed her up to give me a little break with my newborn and she is very social & active thus needing an outlet I couldn't provide at the time. She is now in her last year of preschool of which she is still attending two days a week, but now full days from 9am -3:30pm to prepare for kindergarten.

My son began his first year of preschool in January at 2 1/2 and goes two half days a week. I think I will continue with him as I did with my daughter and have him attend two full days just the year prior to kindergarten. But every child is different so I will have to wait and see.

Their preschool is also a daycare which provide services for newborns as well, so potty training is not a requirement. They have a Nido room(babies), Garden (1-2yr), Treehouse (2-3yr), and then three preschool rooms for 3-5years.

Yes. Generally 3 years of age. Most preschools require that the child be potty trained. Tiny Tots and Little Tykes in West St. Paul is great, ###-###-####. My older daughter has been there for 2 years and she loves it.

Dear A.,
I too wondered the same thing for my first son. I read a book by John Rosemond (author of "Making the Terrible Twos, Terrific" and other books) that said that children are going into preschool at too young of an age these days. Like the other mom said.....they need to play!!!! There is plenty of time for curriculum and school. I worked with my son at home through books, Starfall.com and other things but not on a regular basis. For socialization I do play groups, MOPS and things like that. He is now 5, has never been to preschool and excels at all of the things that 5 year olds need to know.
As always, you need to do what you think is best, as it is your child.
T.

Entry into preschool is really about the child rather than what society dictates.

The City of Lakes Waldorf School (24th & Nicollet) has a toddler program that you and your son can attend to see if he is ready for pre-school. It is called "Little Sprouts". The purpose of it is to determine the readiness of your child - and it is also fun and engaging.

The question will ultimately be, "when will he feel safe and happy being left at pre-school?" The length of time each day and number of days each week he feels safe and happy are the things to watch for.

Look for a school with flexibility - 2 days, 2 half-days, 3 days... etc. Healthy children need a balance between home and school.

Then again, he will be in school for 13 years + college A.. One more year at home is never a bad thing.

Preschool starts when children are three and they usually go two days a week and only go half days, and its usually for children ages 3 to early 4 year olds. Now my daughter will finish her preschool next week and only goes tues/thurs. Now next year since her birthday is in late october she will go again to preschool which in my town is Pre Kindergarten class for children in the older 4 year olds to five year olds, but will go mon wednes and friday and will only go half days and then go into kindergarten the next year.
Some times you can call a school and get them in when they do turn three if its in the middle of the year and you want them to go, thats if the center has an opening.
It can be very confusing, but if you want something now Try signing up for ECFE Early Childhood Family Education Classes and they start those for very small children I think at one years old. At leaset here in my town they do. That is also a fun time and both of mine still go, even when my oldest goes to preschool.

At the pre school my kids go to. It starts at age 3 and you can pick 2 or 3 days a week. At age 4/5 you can go 4 days aweek to the YBK (year before kindergarten) class. There are some preschools that start at age 2. Most preschools the child has to be potty trained. There are some exceptions, so you'll have to ask.

We just finished 3 year old preschool for my daughter and she will do 4 year preschool next year. This year she went two days a week for 2.5 hours. Next year she will go 3 days a week for 2.5 hours. The reason I did it this first year was because my daughter is very shy and I thought she could use the "socializing" aspect of preschool. It has been wonderful, she loves it, and they have LOTS of play time. Some preschools are more academic than others, so visit many to determine if it is offering the things that you want before picking one (if you even decide to send him).

You should check your school district...if you have a pre-k or k-4 program it is basically your 4 year old preschool offered through your school system.

Typically kids go 1-2 years for preschool before Kindergarten, but it is not required and if you offer enough opportunities to try pre-K activities and play with other kids prior they don't even need that. ECFE is a big thing in MN, sort of a culture, so most of the moms we know send their kids. Our eldest did Montessori for three years before Kindergarten, my third never went. I prefer to keep them home, but the preK services here are so good that it's kind of a nice thing to do, but I would only do it 2-3 half days a week, so you still have plenty of time with your child. Actually, Kindergarten is not required either. In MN children must register for school (or be homeschooled) beginning the school year they turn seven, not five, as some believe.

Homeschool mom of seven, past public K-1 teacher

Most states have pre-school programs that start at age 3. Usually they are only 1/2 days (either mornings or afternoon), but I think they go M-F. They do have to be potty-trained.

Different cities and states have different programs. Around me, 4 year olds go to preschool (head start). Some 3 year olds go to the same program but usually just for 2 days a week. Then those same 3 year olds go to preschool again the next year as 4 yo and go 4 days a week.
I know there are also some other classes around here but I can't think of the name -- it's after preschool but before kindergarten but the set up is very similar to kindergarten.
Good luck. the best thing to do is to start finding out what is available around you.
Oh yeah ... the preschool was half days and kindergarten is half days BUT some are whole day or offer an extra 'day care/class" the other half of the day.

Kids don't NEED to go to preschool. They do just fine with out it. I would strongly suggest checking into your school district's ECFE program, if you feel like you would like to do something with him. It is a great program and both of you are involved.
S.
mom of 3 and daycare provider

A.; yes pre school can be very confusing, however, most depends on your schedule, and what you want, if you are a stay at home mom, nothing says they have to go to pre school, i did not send my kids to pre school due to staying home, they went right into kindengarten, when of age, we had years of fun and learning together, however if you are a working mom, you might want to find a school that takes them or a day care, or a day care type that teaches, ? call the schools and ask, they will tell you at what age, they will take kids, some vary so much from place to place i dont think there is a standard, D. s

I guess it depends. I work full time so my daughter has been in daycare since she was 3 mo old and my son since 8 weeks. The daycare we go to starts the preschool class at 3 years and requires the child to be potty trained or at least pretty close. They have two preschool classes (3's and 4s) and a pre kindergarden (for kids who turn 5 in the school year or sept-aug of the following yr). In our school district you go to kindergarden if you are 5 by August before the school yr starts.

My daughter is 4 and on her second yr of preschool but I would have to say the significant learning has happened only this year in the 4s class. They work on recognizing all the letters (uppercase and lower case) as well as numbers through 20. They have also spent quite a bit of time handwritting and learning how to spell and write your name.

I am not sure what comes next in preK but I assume they would start to work on recognizing words and maybe basic math? Talk to your local preschool centers or ECFE about curiculum in each level.

Our daycare offers full time preschool 5 days/wk and part time (3 days/wk). Either one is probably fine because you can work with your child at home on the off days. It is good though to get them in some formal program to start to learn how to interact with teachers as well as other kids.

A.,
Pre-K and preschool are the same thing. A lot of kids start at age 3 or 4 (mine did and 3). At our preschool (Calvary Lutheran in Golden Valley) the 3 year olds have the choice of 2 half days a week, either am or pm. The 4 year olds can go 2 or 3 half days am or pm. Its a wonderful program that is really structured play. Music time, story time, physcial play, independant play, etc. Its a great way to introduce your children to playing with others (nicely), learning to share, learning how to behave in a classroom and being able to separate from Mom for a few hours a week. I think kids that don't do preschool (or daycare) have a tough time when kindergarten rolls around. Its nice for you, too, to have a little break and meet other moms from your childs class.
I highly recommend it! My children begged to go to "school".

I think the age you send him is whatever you are comfortable with. At a school I recently taught at, pre-kindergarten was for five-year-olds, and it was called that because it was in a school setting. I think preschool and pre-kindergarten are basically the same thing, though preschool can start as early as age 3, and pre-kinder is just a year before kindergarten. You don't even have to send your child to preschool at all! I never went. I am planning to send my three-and-a-half-year-old this fall b/c she really loves playing with other kids and is just the type of kid who will love the routine school provides. Good luck!

Most kids go to preschool at age4 the year before kindergarten but there are alot who do two years and send them along at age3.

I sent my daughter at age3 and age4 and we didn't get much out of it. I'm pregnant with my second child and this next child might go to preschool at age4 we'll see but I won't waste my time and money with 2 years of preschool.

Keep in mind most preschools have registration like Jan-April for the following fall so you have to be on top of it to get your child a spot in certain preschools or the desired time of day you want them to attend. You can't wait til the end of the summer to register them for that fall they're almost always booked.

Well, I can tell you from my experience for a private school that our three year old will be in pre-kindergarten. It's aged for three and four year olds that are fully potty trained. The pre-k runs three days a week for two hours a day. I've heard some children going to pre-k at two. Our daycare lady worked at a childcare so my kids day is structured and like a pre-k environment.

At age five most public schools offers 1/2 days for free and if you want a full day you pay for it. It runs five days a week I think. At the school we've chosen she will be in full days for five days a week and is considered regular kindergarten.

At age six children are in 1st grade.

I started my kids at 3 years old 3 days a week. It worked well. They went 3 hours a day and got great social interaction.

I don't know. I wasn't so impressed with preschool. My oldest daughter went for 2 years at 2 different preschools and still wasn't prepared for Kindergarten because they taught differently. My second child went 3/4 of the year and I pulled him out because the only thing he was learning was bad behavior from his "best friend".
Now I'm homeschooling them both and they are learning like crazy.
I won't be sending any more of my kids to preschool and for now am planning on homeschooling them all.
Not that I'm saying you should avoid public school and homeschool but I just don't feel that preschool was worth the bother or money. Kids that young are so impressionable and model the behaviors they see around them. I would rather that be MY behaviors than those of whoever they are in preschool with.
J.
Mom to 4, soon one more through another adoption and hopefully more :o)

A.- You didn't mention what area you live in. But I have to agree with the other Moms, definitely check out the ECFE (early childhood family education) program. Most of the ECFE programs have a portion of the time that you are in the classroom with your child and another portion of the time that you spend with other parents and a parent educator. Your child during that time remains in the classroom. I LOVE ECFE it gives you the chance to see how your child reacts and learns in a classroom setting and gives you that opportunity to learn great parenting tips!! My son graduated from the ROSEVILLE ECFE program and is now in 1st grade but he still talks about all the friends he made in ECFE, his teachers and the "stuff" that he learned. My daughter is currently in the program. ECFE is Minnesota based and is awesome! A friend moved to another state and misses having the ECFE opportunity!
If your in the Roseville area or are interested in the Roseville program send me an email! S.

Preschool, nursery school, daycare, prekindergarten....there are a lot of names! To me (a preschool teacher) preschool is the broadest -- it mainly refers to the time between three and five, before a child goes off to elementary school.

Nursery school is what they USED to call it, when I was little. It referred to a regular program for 3 or 4 year olds where they went either half days or a few mornings a week to play, have snack, make friends, etc. Now those are generally called preschools.

Daycare centers have preschools, too -- the classrooms for the 3 and 4 year olds are preschools, and they use preschool-appropriate curriculum and materials. My children went to a Montessori daycare center and their preschool experience was absolutely incredible.

Then there's prekindergarten, or pre-K, which simply refers to the year before the child goes to kindergarten. I teach a program for children in their last year before kindergarten, so mine is a pre-K program.

Nobody HAS to go to preshool. The children who really, really should go to a high-quality program are the children living in poverty who aren't going to get what they need (to be ready for K) from their parents. Children with SAHMs who read to them, take them places, talk to them, provide them with social opportunities, and thus can get along with others, have basic academic skills, can solve problems, pay attention, and speak clearly are fine just going off to K.

It really depends on what your child is like as he gets older, and also what you want. He may be very social and just have a blast going to preschool three mornings a week, and you may be delighted to have that time to yourself.

Every child is different and think the best advice would be to get him envolved with ECFE (Early Childhood Family Education). It's like a playgroup for him and other his same age. It gives you a chance to talk and network with other parents and talk about when they should be doing things developmentally as well as most programs offer the preschool to families as well. I live in New Market (South of Lakeville) and the New Prauge ECFE program is where my children are involved.. I serve as a Parent Volenteer on the Advisory board and could imagine not having that outlet for my boys (ages 3-5). We actually moved for the Shakopee ECFe which to be honest ROCKED compaired to many others. Many districts are open enrollment for families as well (usually just a bit higher fee for non district families). Our Shakopee ECFE Group from when my 5 year old was born are still friends. We gather once a month for play...woman go shopping and even camping in the summer! Love it!

well, that all depends.

if there is an early childhood family education class in your school, they take babies on up! it is a fantastic time to play with other kids, follow rules and routine, have time without mom and with the other kids and teachers (we adults have a half hour in another room to talk about different topics)

i would call your school and get enrolled for any ECFE classes your school will have next year. they are fabulous.

otherwise, i know they have head start or learning readiness in some schools and they have to be 4 to do that. you can always decide to hold your child back and theres nothing wrong if you do.

i dont know about going 2 years before unless they mean learning readiness.

call your school and ask!

My oldest son went to a more informal preschool at the library that was for 3-4 yr olds and more for socializing and getting used to having a teacher (though he did learn plenty!). That was 2 days a week for 2 hrs. Then he went to the more "formal" classroom at the elementary school that was 3 days a week for 3 hrs. Then it was Kindergarten, etc. from there. It worked great! It was a smooth transition from one to the other and it gradually got him used to going to school all day. My youngest son is going the same route and is at the library this year.

Yes some do start them at 2 and 3 years old. You should call around though and find out more information. I took my child to preschool when he was 3 thinking I was helping him out! What a joke. I paid tons of money for them to take my child out to the park and have him play. I can do that! I found though trial and error that the best preschool for him is in everyday life. We go shoping and I say look at that cool truck, do you know what color that is, how many are there. I also give him an allowance and he is now learning about numbers and money!

A.,

It is all a personal preference. It helps to have your child have some "away from mommy" experience before kindergarten. I have seen children who don't and it is very traumatic. I always did the two years before kindergarten, a lot of people do, but you don't have to. 2-3 half days a week is good. Some kids may need a little more or a little less, depending on personality. With 1/2 day kindergarten in the area (I assume that is what is offered to you) that also transitions them nicely into 1st grade.

Good luck,
S.

Most children start preschool around age 3 and go for two years, and it is the smae thing is pre-kindergarden.

If you are at home with your child, I suggest that you not send him to pre-school (same as Pre-K) until the year before Kindergarten. Most pre-schools have too much curriculum. Children at this age learn best through PLAY! ECFE is awesome; its something you can do together.

Hi A.,
Here in our town we do two years of preschool. They usually start at 3 and go for one day a week. Then they do the 4 year olds and go for 3 days a week. The pre-Kindergarten is if they are 5 and are not ready for Kindergarten. They give them that first year to get caught up to the other kids. I had a premie and needed to have him go to pre-Kindergarten. Hope this helps.

None of my 4 children attended Preschool. None of them had difficulty starting Kindergarten, & were not behind their peers at all. They received all the socialization that they needed from their siblings & friends, & had learned their colors, numbers, & could recognize letters & small words from the reading & play that we did together at home. Why go the cost & concerns of preschool when it's not really necessary?

If you can afford the preschool, put him in just as soon as you can. My son is 5 1/2 and is just finishing kindergarden. His school teaches 3 year old and 4 year old preschool so I put him in it for 2 years. My daughter will be 3 in August and I already have her signed up for the 3 year old class next school year (this fall). We are in a small school district and I love the fact that our school has the 3 year and the 4 year old classes and they go threw the intire school year..