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Preschool vs in-home day care

Heather - posted on 01/14/2009 ( 3 moms have responded )

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We have a 4 year old (December birthday) and have to debate sending him to preschool next year or keep him in the in-home daycare he has been in since birth. We are really leaning toward keeping him where he is. Both my husband and I are college graduates and feel that you are in school long enough...do you have to start at 4? He is a boy that loves to play. He is really bright and picks up on things quickly. He has already passed the kindergarden screening. But I worry that I am not giving him that advantage. Your thoughts? So much guilt in parenting!!

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Emily - posted on 01/15/2009

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I am looking at moving my daughter from her home daycare with a preschool program to a true preschool in the fall. She turned 3 just before Christmas and will not be able to start kindergarten until she is 5.5! I know this is common in some parts of the county but where I was raised we started kindergarten at 4 and since my daughter's b-day is after the cut off for 5 year old kindergarten she will be 2 months shy of 6 when she starts school.She already is starting to learn to read and I think willbe ready for new challenges in the fall.

Brandy - posted on 01/15/2009

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For me it was the other kid interaction. He was so shy and now being in grade 2 I see how muched that has helped. He has come out of his shell and learned that not everyone has the same idea as him. He went everyday except friday for the morning and I did find that for him to be a bit much at first, took him awahile to get us to that.

Pam - posted on 01/14/2009

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I would say that it probably depends on how long preschool is - all day? Half day? How structured like school is it? Does he have fun learning at daycare or with you at home? I have a two and half year old, and he's in a home daycare with a woman who is nearly certified to do preschool and has her own preschool program. We both love it - but if he gets beyond what she's doing with him in a couple years....I don't know if well send him to a more formal preschool or not. It's definitely a hard call. I can tell you - as a teacher myself - proficient kindergardeners are expected to be reading short, simple books during the year. Honestly, if you're taking him places, reading to him, counting, and drawing/writing with him, and he loves where he is already, you've got to ask yourself whether he needs a change right now. Boys also tend to be less emotionally ready for school too. Gosh, I feel your pain! It's a hard one. I'd make a list of the pros and cons. If he's really bright and you're already doing pre - school type of things with him, he'll be fine whenever he starts more formal schooling. Good luck!!!

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