If you had told me ten years ago that I would have a child but that I might not send him to preschool, I would have laughed in disbelief. For several reasons. Now I have two children and my oldest is approaching, but is not registered for, preschool.
As an educator with an addtional degree in early childhood intervention, I know that Henry doesn't need preschool the way some kids need that early classroom experience. But it would be a wonderful, enriching experience nonetheless. Logistically, I don't know how to give that to him. Our community preschool programs for three year olds meet twice per week for 2.5 hours.
Currently Henry and his brother are at an in-home daycare for eight and a half hours per day. He is one of three children attending and receives nurturing care of the highest quality. He is the oldest child in that setting and turning three makes him eligible for preschool. However, he is not potty-trained. Not even close. So I can't sign him up for the remaining months of this school year anyway.
Yet the questions linger. Should I secure him a spot for the fall? Will he be completely potty-trained by then? How will I get him to and from the twice weekly sessions? My current provider may or may not be able to drive him. There is always the option of moving him to a daycare center that provides a preschool program for some part of the day. However, this would increase my childcare costs greatly and/or force me to separate the boys. I really don't like the idea of having the three of us in three different locations all day, everyday.
Depending on potty training progress, I am hoping to sign H up for some day camp experiences this summer. Next month, I'll tour some preschools and register him for a standard five hour per week fall placement. If I cannot arrange the transportation or if he is not potty trained by then, I'll forfeit the start-up fees. Meanwhile I'm off to replenish our crayon, glue stick, stamp, scissors and paper supplies!
The preschool saga, such a tough decision. Isaac is 28 months and no where close to wanting to potty train, nor do I believe he will be ready at 3 years. Because of that he will not be able to start wee school as we call it. His birthday is in October and the cut off date is September 15th so by the time he starts preschool he will be a couple months shy of turning 5. My boys go to a daycare center and they still have the same policy for wee school... must be potty trained!!!
ReplyDeleteI think alot of parents ponder what to do about preschool at the 3/4 age. I have been thinking about it myself. Our towns preschool is by lottery only. While he is in daycare now I still don't know when baby 2 is coming, how long I will be out of work, will C be in daycare or will I end up having someone come in home to watch the two kids. If I don't apply to the lottery he has no chance of being accepted. Preschool here is 4 days a week for 2 hours.. What does your son want to do? Go or not go?
ReplyDeleteIn my humble opinion, I think the way things are for him now (potty trained or not) is absolutely wonderful and enriching on its own.
ReplyDeleteIf it were me, with the set up that you have, I wouldn't worry AT ALL about pre-school. Sounds like he's doing just fine.
What a great mom you are ;)
I've read the books about NY moms who have their kids on waiting lists while their baby is still in the womb...but I think it's ridiculous. I totally agree that kids don't really need preschool...especially if you have a daycare provider that does lots of enriching activities and you yourself can do such enriching activities, too. I think it's important to have kids around other kids and to maybe sign them up for some kind of class where they go on their own and get an idea of how to follow directions, but I so don't see the need for preschool if trying to work it out would be so much stress. I think Jordan will just stay at our home daycare until kindergarten, too. :)
ReplyDeleteMy vote is no-- on putting more stress on your life and little family by moving him to a pre-school because it is thought of as the right thing to do. Let it be for awhile. If it doesn't seem right, it probably isn't.
ReplyDeleteI would not worry at all. If Henry is doing fine and you see he is happy, enjoys what he does and you are also not stressing in this situation, I would leave it as is. Tough decisions!
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