Do you have to put a child in Preschool if they are in a daycare? My son is 2 years old and he is not in preschool but he is in a daycare where he is learning alot. Do I have to put him in preschool?
I believe that the age requirement of preschool is 3. In my area no "pre-school" that are not asociated with a daycare will not accept a child who is not potty trained.
Preschool is not a requirement prior to entering kindergarten. The majority of preschools begin with age 3. The main thing is that he's ready for kindergarten when it's time. He should know his letters and be doing some counting, as well as able to follow a routine and sit and listen for a while. Writing his name and knowing how to use scissors and other school supplies is also helpful. You might be able to do a search to see what kindergarten teachers like to see at the beginning of school.
As a mother, a previous teacher, preschool administrator, and a current home daycare provider, I believe the answer is no. If your child is learning age appropriate things, like colors, singing ABC's, starting to learn natural consequences for behavior, getting and introduction to coloring, glueing, and painting-I would not worry about it. Another thing that is really important is getting read to several time a day. The one big difference that preschool can provide before kindergarten is how to behave in a large group setting and function on a consistent schedule. Most kindergarten programs are full days, and there is so much expected from children that are 5. I encourage all of my parents to expose their children to at least half a day of preschool starting at age 4. Some very wonderful daycare's are able to provide preschool in their homes based upon the number and ages of children. I would also talk with your daycare provider once your child turns 3 and she what they recommend.
It sounds like your son is already getting a great jump start on school! My son goes to a preschool that is in an elementary school setting- he loves it. He just turned 4 and doesn't want anything to do with "baby things" these days so feels very much like a big boy going to a school with kids his own age and older and I see that it has it's benefits. It's my understanding that the difference between daycare and preschool is that kids must be a certain age and must be potty trained to be in preschool (though both may have play-based learning going on). I would imagine that the teachers need a different certification too. There is definately a different dynamic in a classroom of kids wearing diapers and kids who are not. Also being in a school setting, my son's class has access to the school's resources such as a great library, a dedicated art teacher (so he is introduced to art and not just craft projects), reading buddies from upper grade levels, etc. Either way, after talking to a number of Kinder teachers (and my mom who is a retired 1st grade teacher), all agree that they see a huge difference between kids that get a jump start on education by attending some type of school setting (either daycare of preschool) than kids who do not- not just academically but socially. Whatever your decision, it sounds like you're a great mom!
No you don't HAVE to but sometimes Preschools can be cheaper than daycare. Just a thought. Our Catholic preschools are like $4000 for Sept through May -- I paid that in like 3.5 months in daycare for 1 kiddo. Do what feels right to you -- in the city there are massive wait-lists for some of the specialized public and private schools and preschools so parents try to get the kids in as early as possible so they can go to the best elementary schools. I live in the NW burbs and there is a lot less pressure for the schools and preschools.
Best wishes!
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Many daycare centers have preschool programs and often they market it as a selling feature. Kindercare has its own curriculum for example. As long as your son is learning and they have some sort of structure he would probably be fine where he is at. Good luck :)
Hello! I am an owner of a well known Preschool and I would stongly suggest going to a Preschool. DayCares babysit, and use activities throughout the day that engage kids, and they will learn basic educational things through hearing them. However, after having my three kids all go to DayCares I got fed up and decided to open a preschool where there was a real curriculum that was alligned with the State Educational Standards as well as the National Standards....so when the kids graduate from a curriculum like this they flow straight into KG at the school districts with no gaps in their learning. Let me know if you would like more info. on the different types of preschools out there. I have researched them ALL! :)
No, you do not have to put him in a preschool. In the State of Illinois, you are not legally *required* to enroll your child in school until the age of 7. A child must be enrolled in first grade by age 7. Preschool is NOT required for any child in Illinois, nor is Kindergarten.
Age 3 preschool is all about socialization. Since your son is in daycare, he's already used to being in a "classroom" of other peers. I would ask your daycare about the programs they offer when your child is 3 and 4. I'll bet they are already set-up with the key preschool learning guidelines (learning letters and numbers at age 4, etc.), and your son will be ready for Kindergarten.
No,there is no law that says a child has to go to preschool. If you and your child is happy at the daycare he is at and he is learning, then why would you put him through having to switch places that he is going to? Keep him in daycare until he has to go to kindergarten.
"day care" IS preschool......they generally have a "ciriculum that they follow so.......
Learning is not limited to classroom experiences, so if your son is learning well and happy where he is, I would stay where you are. Often, there are more opportunities for interactive, hands on experiences in a quality family childcare than there are in a classroom. Playing and doing are how young children learn best.
As your son gets older, if you feel he needs some experiences that include a more classroom like setting, supplement your childcare with some library story times, or Sunday school, or classes at the park district where he will get a feel for the expectations of a somewhat larger group and different adults rather than those that he's been accustomed to all his life.
K.
No you do not. Kindergarten isn't even required, which I think is really stupid. I'm a teacher with a public school system and if you child is learning where he is then don't rock the boat.
absolutely not. often preschools are used to teach socialization skills, but often teach colors, shapes and some reading skills such as reciting the abc's. if your child is doing all of the above then i wouldn't worry about it.
depends on the daycare, but almost all of them will do preschool learning as part of their day - no need for a special place usually. Ask where your child goes if they cover the basics of preschool. He is already getting the socialization aspect and you said he was learning a lot so I bet he is fine where he is!
Most daycares should have a preschool program built in. Check that out.
Most daycares follow a "Preschool" curriculum once your child gets to be about 3 or 4. You would have to check with your specific daycare to find out what they do. You are in no way required to send a child to PreK. You also can opt out of kindergarten, if you wanted.
I have a 5 year old and a 3 year old. My older boy is in preK in the afternoons. I plan on sending my little boy the year before he starts Kinder.
1 year of "preschool" before Kindergarten is fine. Just to prep them for formal school.
I was a professional nanny and my charges all went to preschool and I always talked with all the teachers preschool through high school and they all said the same thing(and these are prestige hard to get in school, where preschool starts at $10,000 for three hours), the most important skill they have when they enter kindergarten is social skills. It is not important to learn ABC's, numbers, reading before they enter kindergarten, it is all about social skills and listening skills. If you feel that your child is not getting the social skills, being around children his age, you might want to change daycare and put him with kids more his age. Also, at the daycare, if they are doing special projects, like fingerpainting, playdough, library time that should be all he really needs.
Good luck!
A lot of daycare centers do not have an educational component or certainly not a certified one and so having a child go to preschool at age 3 is a good idea. There are many different types of preschool. For instance, my daughter goes to a montessori preschool and has since she turned 2. It is AMI accredited which is the highest level of accreditation for montessori schools. She goes 3 mornings a week and will go 5 mornings a week in the fall. Since she loves language and can already read a little (2 and 3 letter words that she sounds out by phonics), this setting is particularly enjoyable for her. Some of my neighbors send their children to a play-based preschool. Preschools will normally get your child oriented toward school and will have some learning components included. They also specialize in an older age compared to a more general childcare setting. Many but not all preschools will also have daycare included so that it is full time. They will have morning class and then afternoon day care or at age 4 or 5 may then have afternoon class in addition to the morning class and then daycare for afterschool. There is quite a bit of research published on the benefits of a good preschool for a child with respect to school readiness and academic success in the long run. Good Luck.
HI C.,
You don't have to put your child in preschool, but I would recommend at least a year of it before kinder. Preschool is a great stepping stone for kids before going to school, because usually they are with kids closer to their own age, and therefore have a expectation (both academic and social) placed on them that is more age appropriate and they are better prepared for school.
The areas that I live in is very academically focussed and many parent is know put their children in preschool at age 2. I personally think that 2 is too young. But having had 2 children of my own in daycare and then preschool for a year before has been very beneficial to them.
Good luck!
