pre-school enrollment

Samantha - posted on 05/03/2012

I just now enrolled my daughter into preschool the other day and she too turns 4 in May :) I didnt have many schools to choose from so I chose the one I grew up near and went to when I was younger. It is going to be very hard for me Ill probably cry her first day lol I work and do schooling online and now my babys growing up on me before my eyes. I think it will be a great experience for her though so when she starts kindergarten she will know what is expected of her, but I still have to take her to this testing before she is completely enrolled in the school. I think they test their motor skills and social behavior, etc.. Good luck and I think its a great idea!

Beth - posted on 03/29/2012

I started my son at 2 1/2 at a great local preschool. I'm also a SAHM and have no other kids right now, but I don't feel bad sending him there a few hours a day. It's good for them to socialize, learn to be without mom, participate in different activities, and lots of other stuff. Of course, we don't HAVE to send our kids to preschool, but I feel it does have its benefits.

Shamecca - posted on 01/16/2012

i just can't believe how time fly's that i'm already looking 4 schools...he was a very preemie preemie...and by the grace of god he came thru like a rock star! u would never believe that my little man was only 1 pound 13 ounces and he is awesome! so i believe in providing him with the best that i can give him...now trust me he's out of this world spoil:-) but i can't help it:-) he's the best...but i much more comfortable wit making this pre-school decision...i love when mothers stick 2gether with question and answers like these..they're very insightful!

Lori - posted on 01/16/2012

Aren't we all still learning.. lol. And as you said there are a lot of mixed answers out there. Ask one person and preschool is a MUST, ask someone else and preschool is a NO NO. Ugh... you just have to do what feels right to you for you and your family.



The other thing I did before enrolling my daughter in a preschool was ask around about schools. I live in a small town so there aren't very many options, but there are enough options. I could have chosen preschool at the local public school, preschool at the YMCA, preschool at the Catholic Church, or preschool at the Lutheran Church. Each school has it's differences and some parents really liked one or really liked another one or didn't like this one or didn't like that one... but I found that NO ONE had anything bad to say about the preschool at the Lutheran Church. And of course I paid attention to details that may not work for someone else, but work great for me. For instance, a working mom may prefer one of the other schools because they keep the kids there longer and more days per week. Also at the one I chose, they're very strict about drop off and pick up time. School starts at 8:30 am, and the classroom door does not open until 8:30 am. So you can't drop your kid off early - not even 5 minutes early. Same with pick up time. You are expected to be there waiting for your child when they open the door at exactly 11:30 am. As a SAHM this isn't a problem for me. The local YMCA takes the kids swimming at least once a week, but from what I've heard they're just glorified babysitters. They don't do crafts and projects with the kids, they just supervise while the kids play. Some parents like that, but that wasn't what I wanted in a preschool. The local public school preschool has a larger number of kids per class than the Lutheran Church school. And quite honestly I didn't even consider the Catholic preschool, because while I don't mind my daughter being taught a little bit about God, Jesus, and the Bible, I am not Catholic and do not want religion shoved down her throat.



So anyhow... there's more than my 2 cents worth on picking a school. To sum it up, check out days and times school will be, how many kids and adults per classroom, and what kind of activities you child will be doing while at school. And of course the price of tuition.

Shamecca - posted on 01/16/2012

thank u sooo much 4 your input...we're on tha same page...my son has his gymboree classes and his other recreational classes so i not worried about seperation anxiety or anythng like that...he's my only bundle of joy, so i'm a still learning;-) so again thank u, i really appreciate your post!

Lori - posted on 01/13/2012

I started my daughter in preschool this year. She goes 2 days a week for 3 hours. I also am a SAHM and I have a 13 month old also. My 3 1/2 year old is a very social little girl and for her preschool is a chance for her to play with other kids her own age and do fun arts and crafts projects. I think that if at this age she didn't want to go to school I would take her out and keep her at home longer... but she just LOVES it. next year, when she's 4 she'll go 4 days a week for 3 hours per day. It's also kind of nice for me because I get some one on one time with the baby.



As far as intelligence and learning I don't think preschool is necessary... my daughter knows her colors, knows her ABCs and is learning to spell her name (because I play with her and talk with her and read to her etc.) But in school she is learning things like waiting in line and following direction from someone that isn't Mommy.