Preschool While Working Full Time - How Does This Work?

Most daycares/preschools do not provide transportation because of the liability/insurance and few number of families that would utilize the service.

So... go look at the "instituational" daycares. Some of them are not nearly as "institutional" as you may think! My son attended an in-home daycare that we LOVED for 3 years. At that time, we felt that he was really ready for a preschool program. However... we knew we wanted another child and that due to my commuting and my husband's work hours they had to be in the same place.

We visited 10 different places in our area. Honestly? There were several that were cold and sterile, but there were several that really weren't. The one we selected felt like an in-home daycare, but had the structure and program of a preschool setting. It's even housed in an old colonial mansion with a living room-like office/reception room.

What you want is up to you, but we wanted a place with a developmental approach (not solely academic) where children moved fluidly between levels based on their skills, not just their birth date. We also wanted a place with low staff turn-over and frequent, on-going professional development. We wanted a place that brought in different activities and performers for ALL of the children (not just the preschoolers). Most importantly, we wanted a place where my son felt comfortable.

It took a lot of looking and questioning, but we found it. If you have a list of "must haves" ahead of time, it helps. That way you can take notes on each place and compare them "apples to apples".

I remember one place that was very "highly rated" (read: sky-high tuition). We went for a tour and interview and after 15 minutes my 3 year old asked to leave. I asked him why and he said that he didn't like the place. He wasn't allowed to touch anything and the director suggested that he sit and look at the fish tank for 30 mintues rather than play with the other children. Um... no thanks. We left after our tour.

If you are comfortable and your children are comfortable, it won't matter whether they are in a home or in an "institutional" daycare.

If your willing to pay (or qualify for free preschool) you can enroll your child in part time preschool and request provider take her. My DD will be 4 soon and I am looking at the same thing. I've talked to my provider and she understands the need for socialization. (She is teaching the abeka preschool curriculum now so it isn’t about the learning) I will have to pay for both places but my provider is willing to work with me depending on the hours needed-good luck

She doesn't NEED a preschool if the home daycare provider is doing her job exposing her to the skills she will need for kindergarten. Since you live in Plainfield, the public library has story time for that age in the evening, and it's like a mini preschool session. They go in without the parent, sing songs, listen to some stories and then do a craft. It's only half an hour and it's perfect.

I do home daycare and both my girls did that as their preschool. They had NO problem going to kindergarten, not a tear, not a fear at all. NONE of my home daycare kids have had an issue going to kindergarten and I have been their preschool. They all are on target in all areas (or ahead).

So, you keep them where they are and make sure they are getting what they need there. If you don't feel she is doing enough academic, talk to her about it and see what she is doing.

You can consider an in-home daycare for her non-preschool days or maybe a PT nanny, like a college student. Some preschools offer extended care before/after the program. How that works really depends on the school.

FWIW, the center my DD was at as an infant had a preschool and was not institutional at all. It was very homey and we loved it. Similarly, the preschool we've chosen for fall would be extra wonderful if they also had a daycare. They don't offer the extended day, so if my work changes (right now I'm working PT), we will be looking for another caregiver for the rest of the day(s).

There is a "highly rated" center here that was 1. expensive and 2. institutional. I did not like it at all. I asked my coworkers where their kids went and what they liked/didn't like. Around here, many very nice centers and schools are in community buildings/churches and JCC buildings.

Some in-home providers are able to provide transportation. You can also contact a preschool that is near your provider. They may know of a parent whose child would be in the same class who might be able to provide transportation.

You can also contact your local public school and ask about PreK. The school should be having PreK screenings sometime in the spring. Sign up to have your daughter screened. If she qualifies for the PreK program, the school will provide transportation, as long as your provider is in the school district.

I completely understand not wanting your daughters to change daycares, as I don't want my kids change schools. But please do not think of a daycare as an "institutional daycare." There are many wonderful daycares. My son goes to a daycare very close to us. He is 2 but will be 3 in March. There are 2 teachers and 12 or 14 kids (I forget). His teachers are wonderful! They are very loving towards the kids. They have lots of age appropriate activities. He has learned so much since starting there last fall. I really like the fact that his room is all 2 year olds and the activities are very specific to that age group. It won't be long before he moves to the 3's. I have seen their room and interacted with those teachers, as this is the early morning drop-off room. He will love that room as well and will be challenged in new ways.

Just keep an open mind. You might be able to find an alternative to the daycare situation, but it might prove to be a very good option.

The Bolingbrook Park District offers a program at night or on Saturdays that may work for you.