XP: TTMA: Starting preschool early?

[gangy]

Good morning all hope you don't mind me posting a question. Also XP as I'm not sure if it's for the toddler board or school aged so sorry about that. Posting here as well as there is more traffic here.

Ok so DD turns 3 in November. She had her skills assessment for preschool last week and I should hear back this week if she is accepted or not. It's a private preschool so no cut off dates as long as they decided she is appropriate for the program based on the assessment. She is fully day trained in regards to potty training. I feel that she has been advanced especially in her verbal abilities and that I really want to foster her development with a stellar educational program.

I'm wondering though if starting her early would be appropriate though or wait until next year instead? Wondering if anyone had experience with this? Pros cons?

I was started early so I know how it is being the youngest in the class. I'm not sure how it really affected me though as I do have issues (probably more due to my family history) and I do want the very best for DD.

Any advice, experience, anecdotes would be greatly appreciated! Thanks so much!

[unheardof]

How often would she be going? Preschool is more learning through playing and socializing anyway. I see no issues with starting early. Our town offers 3yo and 4yo pre-k programs through the public school, 2/3/5 days a week for 3 hours each day.

Also, it's easier to get into the 4yo pre-k program and get your top choice of time slot if you're already in the 3yo program here, so you might want to consider that if that's the case for where you are as well.

[gangy]

May 22, 2017 6:43:55 GMT -6 unheardof said:

How often would she be going? Preschool is more learning through playing and socializing anyway. I see no issues with starting early. Our town offers 3yo and 4yo pre-k programs through the public school, 2/3/5 days a week for 3 hours each day.

Also, it's easier to get into the 4yo pre-k program and get your top choice of time slot if you're already in the 3yo program here, so you might want to consider that if that's the case for where you are as well.

Thanks for your reply!

She would be going full time M-F from around 7:30-4 as bonus this preschool has before and after care (also a full summer program) Which other programs don't have and me and MH work full time. Right now she is in day care full time which is basically a babysitter and I would prefer a more educational program honestly.


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[claudia]

My kids daycare starts them in "preschool" at 2 1/2. It isn't a super rigorous program though, but I think it is good for them to start young and get in the routine. It's play-based learning, so I don't really see a downside to starting early.

[gangy]

Program.


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[gangy]

Thanks claudia! I really want her in this private preschool but was wondering if I'm going to mess her up by starting her two months before she turns three. But if they feel she is appropriate I'm thinking it might be better than waiting until she is almost 4.


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[Sparkly]

My older DD started preschool (a Waldorf school) last fall. She is a December birthday, so she was 2 1/2. There were a couple of other to 2yos in her class, but most of the children were older and had been going since the previous spring semester if not a whole year.

At first she was only doing two days and it was kind of a difficult adjustment. She did start to do better by November/December, and we moved her up to three days a week in January. That has been so much the better for her, as well as the fact that additional children closer to her age joined the class in the winter.

If we move her to public school, she will have to wait to start until she is 5 1/2 going on 6, but they do a two year K program at the Waldorf school, so she could do that fir the year she is 4 1/2-5, and it has felt like a good fit.

So I say yes, start early if you can. For us, it added structure to her schedule and got her interacting more with her peers.

[gangy]

May 22, 2017 6:52:13 GMT -6 cribs said:

I think if you can swing it put her in at 3. I put my kids in the two year old program we have here. Like unheardof said it is more about social and play skills.

Thanks! I'm just anxious about her starting two months before she turns 3 though. And that she might be too young and it will negatively impact her? I just worry a lot lol.


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[thankfully]

My daughter will be 3 after Christmas and she's registered for the public prek3 program. Her older brother did it (he also started at 2, with an Oct birthday) and really she's more advanced in terms of verbal development than he was. We hope to pt this summer but they don't care if she's still in pull ups or needs one for nap when she starts. My take is if they're old enough to qualify I see no harm in giving it a shot. There's always the option for an extra year of prek if needed. She's already in full time daycare so she's used to a long day. I'm a Nov birthday and was young for my class but I was on the top end academically throughout school so I have no bad feelings about starting when qualified by age.

[gangy]

May 22, 2017 6:54:14 GMT -6 Sparkly said:

My older DD started preschool (a Waldorf school) last fall. She is a December birthday, so she was 2 1/2. There were a couple of other to 2yos in her class, but most of the children were older and had been going since the previous spring semester if not a whole year.

At first she was only doing two days and it was kind of a difficult adjustment. She did start to do better by November/December, and we moved her up to three days a week in January. That has been so much the better for her, as well as the fact that additional children closer to her age joined the class in the winter.

If we move her to public school, she will have to wait to start until she is 5 1/2 going on 6, but they do a two year K program at the Waldorf school, so she could do that fir the year she is 4 1/2-5, and it has felt like a good fit.

So I say yes, start early if you can. For us, it added structure to her schedule and got her interacting more with her peers.

Thanks! I'm also worried about the adjustment period and regressing in potty training with going to a new school. We've been there a few times now and she really loves the class but my fear is that I pull her out of daycare, she regresses in potty training and she can't go anymore and then we are fucked for child care. I was able to briefly mention that to a teacher there and it seems like they give a bit of leeway so I'm hoping we will be ok.


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[shamycooler]

I think 3 is a great time to start preschool. DD started in a half time Lutheren preschool at 3, and it was great for her. I think as long as your DD meets the expectations and it seems like a good fit for her, then you should do it.

(As an aside about being a good fit, I don't feel like DD's preschool was a good fit for her. Her dad and I had completely disagreed on which school she should go to, so we picked one we did agree on. Looking back, I wish we had made a different choice, but can't change it now lol)

[Sparkly]

May 22, 2017 6:58:15 GMT -6 gangy said:

May 22, 2017 6:54:14 GMT -6 Sparkly said:

My older DD started preschool (a Waldorf school) last fall. She is a December birthday, so she was 2 1/2. There were a couple of other to 2yos in her class, but most of the children were older and had been going since the previous spring semester if not a whole year.

At first she was only doing two days and it was kind of a difficult adjustment. She did start to do better by November/December, and we moved her up to three days a week in January. That has been so much the better for her, as well as the fact that additional children closer to her age joined the class in the winter.

If we move her to public school, she will have to wait to start until she is 5 1/2 going on 6, but they do a two year K program at the Waldorf school, so she could do that fir the year she is 4 1/2-5, and it has felt like a good fit.

So I say yes, start early if you can. For us, it added structure to her schedule and got her interacting more with her peers.

Thanks! I'm also worried about the adjustment period and regressing in potty training with going to a new school. We've been there a few times now and she really loves the class but my fear is that I pull her out of daycare, she regresses in potty training and she can't go anymore and then we are fucked for child care. I was able to briefly mention that to a teacher there and it seems like they give a bit of leeway so I'm hoping we will be ok.


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DD had PT'd in late July-August and we had no issues with regression. I'm sure they can work with you if there are minor little setbacks during her adjustment. I wouldn't worry too much about that specifically. Cross that bridge when you get there, if you will.

[misspeansmama]

I don't think you are doing any harm by starting her early. It's mostly about socialization at that age. Worst case scenario, by the end of the year you feel like it was a bit much for her and she struggled you can have her repeat the same "grade" instead of moving up to the next class.

[mpiemont]

All 3 of my kids have/will start in a 2 morning a week 2 year old program. I see no harm in starting young as long as you like the program and it's age appropriate (play based, not too stressful or serious for a young child).

[thechickencoop]

I agree with everyone else, I don't think starting pre school early is here or there.

Are you just planning on an extra year of preK then? Because I do have feelings on starting K early and am a big proponent of following the cutoffs.

[lucilleaustero]

I think it depends what your expectations. If your expectations are more academic, I think that is too early to start. However, if they are about play and socialization, that is not too early at all.

[gangy]

May 22, 2017 9:59:00 GMT -6 thechickencoop said:

I agree with everyone else, I don't think starting pre school early is here or there.

Are you just planning on an extra year of preK then? Because I do have feelings on starting K early and am a big proponent of following the cutoffs.

I'm going to have to ask about this. I think it is going to depend on if we are going to keep her in this private school or eventually go public if we end up moving into a better district. As far as I know the private preschool does not have any cut off dates as long as they are found to be appropriate for the program. But I'm not sure if this also applies to Kindergarten as well. I assumed that if we kept her in this private school she would just move up with the others in her class to pre-K, K etc. I'm going to have to ask about that. Thanks!

[helloerrbody]

May 22, 2017 6:50:21 GMT -6 gangy said:

May 22, 2017 6:43:55 GMT -6 unheardof said:

How often would she be going? Preschool is more learning through playing and socializing anyway. I see no issues with starting early. Our town offers 3yo and 4yo pre-k programs through the public school, 2/3/5 days a week for 3 hours each day.

Also, it's easier to get into the 4yo pre-k program and get your top choice of time slot if you're already in the 3yo program here, so you might want to consider that if that's the case for where you are as well.

Thanks for your reply!

She would be going full time M-F from around 7:30-4 as bonus this preschool has before and after care (also a full summer program) Which other programs don't have and me and MH work full time. Right now she is in day care full time which is basically a babysitter and I would prefer a more educational program honestly.


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If she would be in daycare otherwise, then absolutely put her in the preschool. (Assuming you feel it's a great, loving place.)


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[gangy]

May 22, 2017 12:28:27 GMT -6 helloerrbody said:

May 22, 2017 6:50:21 GMT -6 gangy said:

Thanks for your reply!

She would be going full time M-F from around 7:30-4 as bonus this preschool has before and after care (also a full summer program) Which other programs don't have and me and MH work full time. Right now she is in day care full time which is basically a babysitter and I would prefer a more educational program honestly.


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If she would be in daycare otherwise, then absolutely put her in the preschool. (Assuming you feel it's a great, loving place.)


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Oh yes I really like the program a lot. And the teachers are great from what I have seen so far. Thanks.

[trtlcrzy]

My DD1 turned 3 last November, so same boat you're in but a year earlier. Her preschool said that she couldn't start until she turned 3 so after her birthday is when she started. I honesty don't think it would have made much of a difference if she had started in aug/sept or when she did in regards to maturity. I put her into preschool primarily for the socializing aspects (backstory: she went to daycare full time until I had DD2 last feb and then started staying home with them, she missed playing with her friends all the time). Her preschool is actually a small group of 3-5 year olds so she is the youngest but I haven't heard of any issues because of that. She loves going to school. I think you/she will get nothing but benefits from starting preschool this fall.

ETA: she will do 3 years of preschool and start K when she is 5 because of cut off dates.

[billyhorrible]

Totally anecdotal, but preschool starts much earlier here. My oldest started at 2, my youngest at 20 months. While it's too early to say for my little guy, my older son has really excelled with the extra preschool. He's an October baby, so he's got extra preschool on the other side, total of almost 4 years by the time he starts kindergarten this fall.

[thelittleredm]

There are preschool programs here in town that start as young as 2 but for us, we felt 2 was too young to try to start "schooling". H was of the mindset of "why pay to let DS1 play if we can keep him at home" so we opted out of that early of a start. We were going to put him into preschool last year (at 3) but decided that while he was ready to go, the cost didn't justify sending him early. It was less expensive to keep him with his nanny and have her work learning numbers, letters, etc. into his regular play than to send him to preschool and have to pay for both before and after care on top of everything else. He'll be starting pre-k this fall at 4 and I honestly don't think there is going to be much of a difference except that he'll probably pay better attention this year.

[squeakyduck]

May 22, 2017 9:59:00 GMT -6 thechickencoop said:

I agree with everyone else, I don't think starting pre school early is here or there.

Are you just planning on an extra year of preK then? Because I do have feelings on starting K early and am a big proponent of following the cutoffs.

^^This. I wouldn't start kindergarten early, but as long as she qualifies for the preschool and it all feels good to you, I'd try it. 

[gangy]

Thanks so much everyone! Hoping to find out this week if she was accepted based on her application and eval. FX!


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[Sunny41]

I don't think she will be too young. A lot of N13er started their kids in preschool ay the same age. Could you start in January of you have concerns?

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