When Start Preschool?

TL
I think it is a question of the child's readiness - not what worked for others. I did a Mom's Morning Out with my middle son and he was fine in that when he was about 2. Just before his 3rd Birthday we enrolled him in a preschool program and he was okay for a couple of months, and then he didn't want to go anymore - even though his older brother was in a Pre-k class right next door. My youngest son has been in pre-school all year this year (he was just over three when he started) and loves it. So if you are ready to try it with her, go ahead, just be aware that she may not be ready and you may need to pull her and wait a while. My theory has always been there will be enough things that the kids have to go to as they grow up, why make them unhappy at this age - unless it is absolutely necessary.

Good Luck
T.

For preschool or nursery school generally the child needs to be potty trained. That will be an important consideration for you. If your 3 year old is potty trained then you shouldn't have a problem. If not, you many have to wait another year before starting nursery school or preschool. However, once your child is 4, you may be better off with pre-kindergarten.
My daughter was not potty trained by age 3, so at 4 I put her in a pre-kindergarten which was actually integrated into a kindergarten classroom. It was 3 half days a week. Needless to say the transition into kindergarten was painless as she was in the same classroom with the same teacher!
Hope that helps!

Age 3 is average to start preschool, although many wait until age 4. You should start looking into it now, as schools/programs vary she may be ready in the fall. Contact your local Board of Education as your school district may have a program. Also see if you have a "Head Start" program in your area, they can provide you with lots of information.

Hi TL,
When my son started Nursery school (2 morning per week) at a local church/school, they had to be "3 and potty trained". That was the guideline for his school.

All kids are different, or course, but in general I think between 2.5 and 3 is the easiest time to transition. If you have some preschool options then go check them out on your own, see if you can imagine your daughter being there and fitting in. Get a feel for the teachers--that's the biggie for me. I have some friends who love the montessori that their kids go to, but when I observed I didn't get the sense that I'd have much of a relationship with the teachers so I didn't feel it was a good option for us. And some of the things that those moms like about that preschool are things that would bug me.

My oldest son was a big mama's boy, but when we tried a community center preschool when he was 2y8m he did great. I was shocked how well he took to it. He's in pre-K now, and we're still doing 2 full days a week (started with 1/2 days but after the first month he was asking to stay thru lunch, then thru nap so we went full days b/c that's what he wanted).
My younger son is 2y6m this month and he starts preschool this week! I want him at the same place as big brother, so we have to do full days, but i'm gonna go a bit slower with him. We got to hang out in the room a couple times each of the last 2 weeks and he would NOT let me leave. So I think i'll hang out for morning circle time and then pick him up midday rather than leaving him full day. I think he needs me to hang out for a bit, and I wouldn't sign up somewhere that didn't let me do what I thought was best (I talk to the teachers about it, and completely value their opinions but in the end it needs to be my decision).

I just posted a similar post feel free to read the responses I got there. Sounds your little one's around the same age as mine!! At this point I think I'm going to keep mine in a toddler program or even an in home daycare/preschool at this point. Mines not even close to potty training yet!!

I'd recommend you start looking at programs now. Each will have different limitations on how old and certain restrictions (such as being potty trained).

We have have had friends who started preschool programs through local churches at 18 months to help socialize and allow Mom to get things done during the day.

We have always had our kids in Day Care - we put our son into an organized Day Care at 2 years, and he flourished immediately. It's a much different experience than preschool. So, depending on what you want to get out of it, I'd recommend calling, checking places out (any good one will allow you to schedule an appointment and see what a day in the life of their program is).

Our friend who started at 18 months did 1 day/week until her daughter was 2.5 then moved to 2 days/week. She'll be 4 soon and will be transitioning to 3 days/week. However, she's only there 3 hours at a time, so the Mom is wanting to find a longer program that works a little more with the kids on structured education outside of her own efforts which are complicated by a little brother.