When to start preschool?

Nicole - posted on 11/17/2010

Leave her where she is. Your day care provider will be doing the same kinds of activities as she would be doing in an actual preschool/day care center.
"Preschool" is supposed to be for 2 1/1 to 4 year old's.
Preschool at a 13 month old's age is not going to be much more then songs, stories and things you are already doing. Given how much experience and schooling your current provider has you are lucky and all set.
It is likely your child will thrive and excel in the home day care setting because she will get far more one on one attention then in a center.

I too am a stay at home/working mom who does home day care who has worked in centers and preschools for 8 years and in home care for 5 years. I have my Early Childhood Education diploma.

Don't let it worry you.

Jennifer - posted on 11/17/2010

My kids did not start school at 1 year old. Here in IL - yes, you can start your kids at 2 years old. But, I started mine at 3 and 4 years old. Your child is right on track. You know as a child provider/degree in child development that your child is right where she is. You also know that kids develop skills at any age. Some kids are above where they should be and some are right where they should be.

Jennifer - posted on 11/17/2010

Your child/ren should start Preschool when they already know the ABC's, shapes, colors, and numbers, or when you think they are ready. My daughters are 5 almost 6 and they started Preschool when they were 3 and 4 years old. I new they were ready! I have worked in Special Education ages 4 - 13 years of age. I knew my kids were ready. Because I work with them. I have the resources at home. I am glad that I stay at home with them. They are doing great in school! They are in Kindergarten now.

Tah - posted on 11/17/2010

UMM..maybe her child is doogie howser cause at 1...there's daycare...that i know of..pre-school isaround 3-4 and there are rules with that, they have to be able to use the potty for one...so....HUH????anywho...you are right on schedule...your child is where they need to be..

Amy - posted on 11/17/2010

I don't know where you're from but the pre-schools where I am they have to be at least 3 and potty trained. I highy doubt your 1 year old is potty trained. My son who is 4 started this year and the only reason we send him is so next year pre-k doesn't come as a complete shock. My husband and I work opposite shifts so he is always in our care or my MIL is watching him. He was never around kids his own age other then when we went to the library so he needed the socialization. We don't send him to "learn" anything other then how to follow the directions and rules of others because he's pretty smart. We only send him 3 days a week for 2 1/2 hours. I don't think you have anything to worry about. As long as you read to your daughter every day or night. As she gets older you can play different games with her to encourage counting and so on and so forth but IMO you have a coule of years before you need to worry about pre-school.