When to Start Preschool?

Speaking as someone who never put my boy in preschool. I would put them in as soon as possible, to get them used to the school envrionment. I thought that Ty was getting enough social stuff but this year has been really hard on him getting adjusted to the school process and taking direction from the teachers. I would say if you want to save money try to find a preschool that is not everyday or maybe a half day preschool. good luck

I started my daughter when she was three and a half, she will attend two years before going to Kindergarten, as her birthday is in late October. So far she attends 2 days a week and will attend 3 days next year. We only pay $75 dollars a month right now and it will go to $100 when she starts 3 days a week, and she has totally benifited from it already. It is not just about be social at her preschool, she has already learned how to write her name, which is Michaela, so I thought it was pretty good for preschool and have done several other things that are not just about being social. I am very happy about the money we have spent so far. My son who is two, but will also be attending preschool this fall due to Sensory Processing Disorder, I think he will also benifit, not just dealing with his disorder but being at a school setting. For us it was a great choice!!!

There are other benefits to preschool besides social interaction and education for the child. It also gives mothers a small amount of time to do other things! Just one day a week for two hours makes a difference. Whether it be spending quality time with the other child, getting in 1 shopping trip without distractions, or simply taking a quiet moment for yourself, it is money well spent.

I agree, it totally depends on your child and family. Some kids do just fine staying home with Mom while others need the extra social interaction. My oldest loves being home with me but also needs his time away to be his own person. I have to admit that while I am a stay-at-home mom so I raise my children and be with them as much as possible, I enjoy the break, too!

When my oldest was 3 we did a mom-run preschool where a few other moms and myself took turns teaching. My son loved it! He was SO sad when I decided not to do it the next year (I was pregnant, sick, and had a broken ankle) and begged me to send him to preschool. If we could have afforded it, I probably would have done one that was just a couple hours 2 days a week.

We put him in a preschool this year since he just barely missed the cut off for Kindergarten and he is in HEAVEN!
Academics- with the exception of numbers, the ABCs, and writing his name- really should not be an issue at 3-years-old. We are doing it for the other reasons you mentioned: learning to take direction from someone else, learning independence, and practicing social skills like sharing, taking turns, etc. Since my boys are more than 4 years apart, it's good for him to be around lots of other kids his age.

I don't know where you live, but if you are seriously considering preschool for your 3-year-old I can recommend a fantastic one in New Hope.

Personally, I think it is important for children as young as 3 to be in Preschool. They learn so much about life as other people have responded. It isn't an easy task to "share", wait your turn, etc..

If you are looking for a more academic preschool then by all means look for a Montessori one. My daughter, who will turn 4 next week, has been attending a Montessori school since September. This was her first preschool to date. Right now, she can write her numbers from 1-10, recognizes up to 20. She is learning her sounds, and has started doing simple addition. It is a wonderful learning environment. It may sound like all she does is work, work, work, but that is not the case. There are several shelves in the classroom and each child picks what they want to do. Many of the shelves have puzzles, books, and many practical life works. They also have a music class and Spanish class 2 times a week as well.

No matter what you choose to do, I think putting your child in Preschool is a good thing. Email me if you want to chat more.

Hi, J.. My name is J. and I'm a mom of two boys. We found this wonderful cooperative preschool for our boys and started our oldest at the age of 3 (he's now 7). It was so good for both my boys (my youngest is almost 5 and in his last year there) to begin school at 3 - especially socially, where boys tend to be behind. One of the reasons we chose the school is because it's parent run and has two fantastic, very experienced teachers - and it's cheap! Parents help in the classroom once per month and you get to be involved in making decisions in regard to your child's education. I would give a thumbs up to starting school at three and a huge thumbs up to the co-op preschool. The website is brightprospectspreschool.org if you want to look it up! Good luck! J.

I don't think you need to worry that your kids are missing something if they're not in preschool at age 3 but my daughter loved it as a three year old. For us it was definitely worth the money because they did all kinds of art projects, they had gym time, circle time, etc... things I couldn't replicate at home which she enjoyed a lot. I didn't feel so responsible for providing all kinds of experiences knowing she was getting them at school. There's something to be said for having your child in the hands of a professional for a few hours a week. :-)

There were a couple kids who had a hard time and cried a lot. I really have no idea why their parents kept bringing them as they didn't seem to be getting anything out of the program and only served to upset the other kids. So keep your child's temperament and maturity level in mind.

J.,

We did preschool for our 3 year olds, but it was for a very short time - 2 mornings a week for 2 1/2 hours. It was a perfect amount of time. But we also did a moms co-op so the cost was very low.

I am glad we did it. It gave my children a boost of confidence and independence, but we were also coming from a state where full day kindergarten was mandatory (gone from 7am - 4pm everyday) and I wanted my children to warm up to it for a couple of years.

You may want to consider a Mother's Day Out Program this year instead. You drop your child off 1-2 mornings a week for a couple of hours and lots of churches have them.

Good luck,
S.

J.,
I have a daughter who is 3 and we are pleased we put her in day care. She loves the teachers and looks forward going. We take her to Salem Luthern Church in Woodbury. I don't feel I waisted the money at all. My daughter is happy so are we. She will go again this coming year starting in the fall. My daughter is a very busy girl. So I think this was good for her.
They just finished with open enrollement. But were they stand on it I am not sure. You can check them out to get more of your questions answered.

Good luck
S.

I don't think your son NEEDS to go to preschool at age three in order to be ready for kindergarten, but he might like it. It's a nice break for you too. I enjoyed having that one on one time with my younger daughter while her older sister went to school.

I put my daughter in preschool at age3 and age4 and there wasn't a academic difference at all. Infact I've talked to alot of mom's who just as dissapointed as me with preschool. Alot of preschool's are like a social drop off center to be completely honest. YES they do teach numbers, days of the week, etc... but when it came down to my daughter learning how to write her name or anything I had to teach her. It did teach my daughter to socialize and follow directions and seperate from me but it wasn't all that. I've found alot of mom's that feel the same way and our kids were at different preschool's around the twin cities. I was big on sending my daughter because she is an only child and needed to learn to socialize and share etc... If my daughter had siblings and such I wouldn't have sent her.

If your really really looking for a strong academically focused program look into a Montessori. I did send my daughter to one at age2 and loved it. I couldn't afford it anymore so we stopped but I saw what the preschoolers were doing and my neighbors daughter goes to one and they kick butt with academics and will have your child way ahead by the time kindergarten roles around.

HI J.!

Just wanted to respond to your question. I have two children ages 3.5 & 4.5. My kids have been in a variety of programs; child care, daycare, preschool, etc. Now that they're enrolled in the preschool programs at Primrose School, BOTH children can write their names. Count upwards of 30! Recognize and write nearly all their letters, speak some Spanish! and SO much more. I always knew that Primrose was the child care option I was looking for, with their high hiring standars for teachers, and administrative staff -- character development programs -- to teach children moral concepts, and the importance of helping hands! But, I too am impressed with all they've learned !! The curriculum seems to speak to the children, and they're learning every day! My kids can't wait to get to "school" every day! Even outdoor play is semi-structured to include a warm-up and cool-down!! My kids have no idea how smart they're getting.

I can't wait for my son to attend Primrose Full-Day Kindergarten in the FALL! Primrose has conducted independent research that shows 90% of all Primrose graduates achieving test scores well above the national average in elementary school. It's worth checking into.

There are 4 Primrose Schools in MN (and 180+ around the country). My husband and I own the Primrose School of Woodbury. I strongly recommend you check one out, ours or one nearest you. You can visit our website at www.PrimroseWoodbury.com to learn more.

I think it depends on you, your child, and the preschool you have in mind. I had always planned to wait until my son was 4, but the school we were interested called and offered a spot when he was 3. It was a tough decision to make, but I decided that it was only 7.5 hours per week, he had a new sister at home, and if it didn't seem to be working we could quit.

Our preschool is a really nurturing place - they certainly get to work on skills that prepare them for school, but they mostly just have a lot of fun with their friends and teachers. And I've been just amazed at how he has grown with their help - I feel good about what he was getting at home with me and through our ECFE, music classes, etc., but it doesn't compare to his school environment. Now I can't imagine having waited until this year.

My son is generally "slow-to-warm-up" and that's a big reason I'm glad we started him early - he has the comfort and confidence of having been in this classroom with these teachers for two years, and I think it's a great launch for kindergarten in that way. My daughter probably won't need that same kind of help to transition (but she may need the social outlet instead.) Ultimately, you know yourself, and your child, and there are preschools out there that would probably meet your needs for him as a 3 year old, and others that might be a really poor fit until he's 4.

I do think that preschool is good for kids. However I disagree with the previous poster that said that the academics part isn't important. My daughter went to preschool when she was 3 at "Circle of Friends" class with the Monticello school district. I thought it was important because I have another daughter that is handicapped and the Circle of Friends is half regular ed kids and half special ed kids. I think it was great for her and the teacher just loved her there because she already had so much compassion for the kids with special needs and was helpful.
Last year she went to preschool here in Big Lake. She had a blast but I don't think the preschool and Kindergarten are in sync like they should be. You'd think that after 2 years in preschool she would be doing great in K and she's not. I was shocked to learn that after 2 weeks of school she had to start Title 1 for READING! Isn't that what they're supposed to be LEARNING in K? Apparently kids have to know the whole alphabet visually BEFORE they start K now. Then 2 weeks ago I got a letter that says she'll be getting Title 1 for MATH!
I really think that if preschool and K were communicating things to each other better then she would've been more prepared.
However, I was really upset that at K roundup last Feb. they gave us a big list of what our kids needed to know before starting K but left off that they needed to know the alphabet. They were more worried that she knew how to tie her shoes!?? Had they told me I'd have had her ready. Heck, I've already taught my 4 year old so he's ready.
Anyways, sorry for rambling on but if you do use a preschool make sure they are going to teach them the things they NEED to know for K. If they don't then what's the point.
Good luck,
J.
Mom to 4 and soon one more through another adoption.

Hi J.,
We started our twins when they were 33 months. Their first year, they attended preschool 2 mornings a week and this year (their 2nd year)they attend 3 mornings a week. We could not be happier with our decision. They will have the benefit of 3 years of preschool before starting "real" school and we feel that it is very important! I would also think that what kind of preschool they attend is important in your decision to send at 3 or 4--What is the preschool's learning/teaching style. (there is a great article in this month's WONDERTIME magazine about the 5 basic preschool teaching styles.)
feel free to email with any questions!
L.
mom to gentry and ainsley 11/03

My oldest will be 4 this month. He started 3 yr old preschool in Sept. He loves it, He has learned a lot about taking direction, routine, social interaction in a learning environment, as well as many other important building tools to prepare him for school. Independence has been a huge change for him as well as problem solving skills. I got mixed opinions from others while deciding to send him or not. I would suggest researching the available preschools to be sure you are not sending him to a glorified daycare. I chose a school with education - 8 grade, they are more focused on academics than others I looked into. There are some affordable options available.

i think its great for kids to have a couple hours a day at preschool starting at 2, for you and them.

J.,
I started preschool when I was three and loved it. I had wanted my son to go when he was three, too, but because he put his foot down on potty training, we missed the cut off to register. He ended up just doing the one year, and that worked out, too. Like your son, mine also recieved plenty of social interaction without going to preschool. My advice is, if you don't think he needs it, don't send him at age three. If you feel like he should go, another option, at least in my community, is to do Tues, Thurs preschool where he could go for just a couple hrs two days a week. Good luck with making the decision!

My son started preschool through the school district at 3. The program includes much more than social interaction. They are teaching them things like using scissors, how to hold a pen, writing, recognizing their name when written, etc. He only goes 1 day a week for 2 hours. Next year he's signed up to go 3 days. Depending on where you live there might be a similar program. This is connected to the ECFE program he's attended since he was 1. We're in district 833.

It depends on your son's personality and your family's needs. DO NOT worry about academics, in my opinion. Any preschool that starts cramming worksheets at a 4-year-old has their priorities out of order. If they can learn to put on their own snow clothes, take themselves to and from the bathroom, eat a civil snack with 20 other small children, and negotiate countless peer interactions (we both want the same toy, your train is in the way of my train, you must play dress up with me whether you want to or not, it's my turn on the slide) - these are NOT small tasks, and I find kids do NOT learn to negotiate these things for themselves when parents are around. We tend to step in and negotiate for them. My son has grown so much in confidence and independence in his two years of preschool. (I started him at 2 - he's a shy kid, and I wanted to give him early opportunities to feel successful and confident AWAY from me - and he just wasn't taking that initiative on his own in playgroups, etc.) Also, frankly, he and I are both much happier when we have a chance to have some daily experiences APART from each other. Ask other parents at ECFE or your neighbors about where their kids go to preschool. Go and visit some schools, observe some classes, talk to the teachers. You don't have to spend a lot of money (and he doesn't have to go every day!) to find a nurturing environment where your son can start to take some first steps in the long journey of independence. Now is prime time to be doing this as well. You may find some preschools are already at full enrollment for the fall - and some won't take kids mid-year. Good luck!

My opinion is that preschool serves several purposes. It lays the academic foundation for school, where kids can learn basics that they haven't already learned. It also provides a sense of structure and an opportunity for social navigation. This is what I've heard kindergarten teachers talk about the most. Kids can catch up on ABCs and the days of the week in kindergarten, but it's often these social skills (like sharing, asking for help, trusting and listening to other adults, following a line to the gym, working as a team)that some kids lack...and those are harder to teach as kids get older. Many preschool teachers are also trained to watch for issues that could signify a problem, like a learning delay, which are easier to manage if caught early. Many preschools are set up with a two-year program that then feeds right into a kindergarten curriculum. Not every scenario is good for every child, so I think you need to consider your daughter's comfort level, your comfort level, and what works best for your family. We personally are in a 3-4 yr-old two day/wk program (for 2 hours each day), and next year will move up to 3x/week for 2 hours each day. But there are ENDLESS options (private, religious, Montessori, "school district" driven, etc.) out there so check around to see what you like. Good luck!!!

The thing with preschool is that the programs fill up quickly, and registration is underway now. It seems crazy to me to have to know NOW what my child's needs will be in 8 months! but that's how it works. Registration fees are not hugely expensive, around $50 or $75 so it may be worth it to save a spot.

I think one year of preschool is just fine. It seems that parents start their children in preschool early, many having 3 yrs of preschool before kindergarten, just to get them out of the house. My daughter is home with me also, any other kids in the neighborhood not in school. She started preschool this fall, and within 2 months was fully up to speed "socializing"...following instuctions, getting in line, interacting well with other kids, etc.

Another good sounding board is your pediatrician. She/He can give good insight.

Good luck!