To Preschool or Not???

Updated on August 27, 2007
L.W. asks from Raymond, ME
7 answers

Hello Ladies!
I have a dilema.....We want to put my 4 yr old in preschool before she starts kindergarten next year. Both my husband and I work CRAZY schedules so that she only has to go to daycare 1 day a week (which by the way does preschool like stuff but is still a daycare setting). She is extremely well adjusted and seems to be on track academically. Our main reason is for her to "get used" to going to school and having a more structured day. The problem is the I waited too long (which I feel horrible about!) and there isn't any openings (for the good ones) in our town but the next town over has some. It would be part time but only one child would go to her kindergarten.
So here is my question...since my daycare is willing to work a little extra with her to prep her for kindergarten; should I leave her there (only 1 other child her age) and get her involved in dance ("the" social place of the town!) and library ect or should she go to preschool? Thoughts? Ideas? Experience?
Thanks so much ladies!

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S.D.

answers from Boston on

Dear L.,
I am the owner of Cedar Brook Children's Center in Manomet. Cedar Brook is a new school (opened the end of Sept. 2006). So not a
lot of people know about us yet. I currently have one opening in my morning Pre-Kindergarten program. M,W,F 9-1 and I also have openings
in my T/Th Pre-Kindergarten afternoon class 12-3. I offer a wonderful program and I have many references(preschool parents). If you are interested in the morning class please call ASAP. Call ###-###-#### or email
____@____.com to set up an appointment.

S. Dolan

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A.S.

answers from Providence on

Depending on finacial resources and time avaible, why don't you try both? My daughter,was in full-time day care/pre-school and went to dance one night a week for the last 3 years. Any socialization and structure is good practice for school.

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K.B.

answers from Boston on

I would just wait if I were you. It sounds like her daycare is pretty on top of everything, and I bet she'll do just fine in kindergarten. I have a 5 year old that started dance last year, and she absolutely loves it. It is so good for their confidence and on a social level too. I don't know what town you are in, but you may be able to put her in soccer, which I bet would be full of kids she'll end up in kindergarten with. Either way, she'll be fine. There is never an easy answer,is there?

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B.S.

answers from Boston on

Hi L.,
Yes pre-school is not a requirement for kindergarten, but I think that it is a definite benefit. I started both my children in preschool at age 3 where they went half days 4 days a week (all this at the suggestion of my daycare provider who also did "school" stuff with all the children). School is such a different setting/environment than daycare. They both flourished in school and hated the rest of the week that they were not there. The preschool that they went to was for the entire town so not many of the children went on to the same kindergarten, but at that age they make friends so fast it did not phase my kids to have different kids in their class. I say go for it.
Good Luck.

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C.H.

answers from Boston on

Go for it! I debated too, I left my job that I had been with for a while after my son was born and waitressed at night so I didn't have to send him to daycare. I was nervous but I sent him to prescool for two days a week a couple hours each day when he was 3 and when he was 4 it was 3 days. Now he is 5 and in June we moved to NH and I had no choice but to send him to full time daycare he has changed for the better! Preschool prepared him for what lies ahead. I think they definitely learn more academically and socially through preschool. Now he has routine, he is used to being around other children and he looks forward to going. On the 4th he will be starting public kindergarten and he is thrilled, I on the other hand am a nervous reck but know it is best and he is now ready.

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W.D.

answers from Boston on

preschool is not a requirement for kindergarten.. if she is getting enough from her daycare, leave her there and socialize her with dance or other things. preschool isn't really academic.. they teach them to write their names (Not all can do this-some do it in Kindergarten) and sing songs and learn to count and the abc's. they also teach manners, waiting patiently, and how to sit in a circle for stories , music etc... so it sounds like she's getting it all from where she is.. disruption is huge.. if you move her out of her current situation, then move her again to kindergarten, you may run into separation issues. I vote keep her where she is. as long as they are willing to go the extra mile to get her ready for kindergarten. You might want to call the school dept to ask what skills they require for kindergarten (which they will test her for anyway when you register her for Kindergarten) ,.. cutting with scissors seems to be a favorite for some reason, and drawing faces, circles, triangles, squares (and recognizing them). so good luck..

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S.F.

answers from Springfield on

I am a Preschool teacher in a full time child care center. Both my children have been attending the school with me while I work, and I cherish the bonds they have made with the staff over the past 4 years. My son will be attending Kindergarten this fall, and is so ready to go (althought I am not sure if I am ready!). It has certainly helped my children to be in a center-based program, as there are no other kids in our neighborhood. From a teacher's point of view, you're right, my job extends "preschool" learning throughout the day. I spend much of my time with the children teaching social skills. The children in my class are all moving on in two weeks to Kindergarten and have come so far this year. I feel the extra time I spend with them couldn't be accomplished in 2 and 1/2 hours a day. As far as the dancing and library goes, do them, too if you can scedule it. Both my daughter and son love their outside activities (dance, hockey, T-Ball). Both my husband and I work full time, so we limit it to one activity at a time. To me, the library is just a great plus! Hope you can use any of this to help make a decision.
S. F.

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