preschool?

[mintyblueair]

Is preschool a good idea for 3 year olds?

I'm a SAHM (and student on the side). I registered my 3 year old for preschool starting in the fall partly because I assumed all 3 year olds went to preschool and partly because I wanted both my kids in part-time care so I could work on my dissertation during the day. But I was not able to find part-time care for my 15 month old, so that point is now moot. When I told my mom I couldn't find care for the baby she asked if that meant I would not send the 3 year old to preschool because there was no need.

So now I'm questioning whether it's a better to send or not send him, and if I do send him, how many days should he go? Right now I registered him for 4 days per week (8:30-11:15am) but is that too many? Is it better to start off at 2 or 3 days per week and then increase next year when he's 4?

My mom's thinking was that yes, preschool is important, but only for one year, not two. And I have no strong feelings about the academics side of things. I was looking at it more as a chance for him to play with kids his age and learn some life skills things like cleaning up after snack time, sharing, etc. 

Any thoughts?

[tgrimes]

My kids have been in daycare since they were 3 months old. Once they turned 3, they go into the preschool portion of the school. They attend every day.

This is just going to be up to you and what you feel like you need. If you need time to work on your dissertation, then put him preschool as many days as they will let him attend. Like you said, he'll get to play with kids his own age and it will be educational all at the same time. It's a win win for everyone.

[cmb]

Jul 26, 2019 15:35:00 GMT -6 tgrimes said:

My kids have been in daycare since they were 3 months old. Once they turned 3, they go into the preschool portion of the school. They attend every day.

This is just going to be up to you and what you feel like you need. If you need time to work on your dissertation, then put him preschool as many days as they will let him attend. Like you said, he'll get to play with kids his own age and it will be educational all at the same time. It's a win win for everyone.

^this. Both my kids started in daycare as infants and transitioned into their preschool aged classes. It’s been great for them. Both my boys are actually thesis babies, and having DS1 in daycare so DH could focus on his dissertation that last year of grad school really helped.

[mintyblueair]

Thanks for the thoughts!

I guess my question stems from the fact that without the baby in care during the same hours, I won't be working on school during that time at all. So it's more a question of will it be beneficial for him than it is a question of getting work done for me. I suppose I'm feeling a bit guilty about it since I'll be home with his sister and he could just as well be with us.

[tgrimes]

Jul 26, 2019 16:09:24 GMT -6 mintyblueair said:

Thanks for the thoughts!

I guess my question stems from the fact that without the baby in care during the same hours, I won't be working on school during that time at all. So it's more a question of will it be beneficial for him than it is a question of getting work done for me. I suppose I'm feeling a bit guilty about it since I'll be home with his sister and he could just as well be with us.

If you can afford it, send him. Don’t feel guilty at all!

[sheilathetank]

Omg. Send him! There is so much more to gain then just academics. Learning to following directions, sit still, have a routine, line up, work in a group, listen to someone other than their parent, etc. Etc. Etc. The social aspect alone is worth it and the transition to K will be easier. So yes! If you can afford to and it fits your schedule then send him.

[piratecat]

Jul 26, 2019 16:09:24 GMT -6 mintyblueair said:

Thanks for the thoughts!

I guess my question stems from the fact that without the baby in care during the same hours, I won't be working on school during that time at all. So it's more a question of will it be beneficial for him than it is a question of getting work done for me. I suppose I'm feeling a bit guilty about it since I'll be home with his sister and he could just as well be with us.

He’s going to have a great time! I think it’s so helpful for kids to have that practice of being in a school-like group setting, learning to play with other kids, listen to other adults in charge, more structured time... don’t feel guilty at all if you can afford to send him.

[addymac]

I think you should send him! Is finding a babysitter for the 15mo an option during those times? Someone to hang with the little one while he’s in preschool so you can use that time to get work done?

[mintyblueair]

Jul 27, 2019 8:20:22 GMT -6 addymac said:

I think you should send him! Is finding a babysitter for the 15mo an option during those times? Someone to hang with the little one while he’s in preschool so you can use that time to get work done?

I can definitely look into it. We just moved to a new city and before this it would have been my parents babysitting, so I admit I'm having a bit of anxiety about finding someone new to watch her.

[mintyblueair]

But I'm sold on preschool for DS! I do think he'll love it. I think I'll decrease the number of days from 4 to 2 or 3. I keep waffling on what's the best number of days for easiest transition.

[cmb]

I want to throw out a different side to daycare (even though you already said your sold on it)- daycare was able to nudge us to get DS1 evaluated for delays and into preschool services rather than waiting until he entered pre-k/k because they knew what to look for. As first time parents, we had no idea what we were seeing wasn’t your typical age related behaviors, so it was helpful to have that nudge

[Lakes]

I’m Team Send Him!

Ds went two days a week last year for the 3 year old class. This year he’ll be going 3 days a week. He LOVES it. I wish I had done more days last week. Dd was about 1.5 years when he started. It was nice to spend one on one time with her. I was able to get so much more done around the house, running errands, etc with just one kid around.

[mintyblueair]

Jul 28, 2019 19:13:51 GMT -6 Lakes said:

I’m Team Send Him!

Ds went two days a week last year for the 3 year old class. This year he’ll be going 3 days a week. He LOVES it. I wish I had done more days last week. Dd was about 1.5 years when he started. It was nice to spend one on one time with her. I was able to get so much more done around the house, running errands, etc with just one kid around.

I am very excited to have some time with just one kid around 😆. Even if I can't work on school stuff, I'm fantasizing about how much house work I'll be able to get done during that time lol.

And I think I settled on two days a week.