When to start preschool?

[Karen]

My dd is about a year away at the minimum, but I've been talking with friends and we are agonizing over what age to start our dks in preschool. Since a few of us are SAHMs, we're debating whether we should just keep them with us till at least age 4, or whether 2 days a week at age 3 is a good idea. Assuming we can afford the preschool, what do you think? When did your dks start if they weren't already in daycare?

[Amy]

Hi Karen. Im a SAHM and started my dd in pre-school at age 3 at 2 times a week. We didn't have any young neighbors, so she desperately needed to be around kids her age. She is also advanced, so we knew she could handle it. I have decided to NOT put ds in preschool this year. I just don't think he is ready for that type of environment and is not socially deprived like my dd was. Actually, he doesn't like to play with kids his own age. He would much prefer to play by himself.

I believe its all preference and dependent on the individual child. 3 year old preschool is mostly for socialization and fun-they didn't learn a heck of a lot, but my dd had a ball. 4 year old pre-school was more educationally based and dd's school was 5 days a week from 9-12pm. It was to prep them for all day Kindergarten.

Good Luck!

[Amy2]

Hey Karen,
I'm a SAHM too, and I started my son in a wonderful Montessori preschool at two and a half. He went three mornings a week, nine to twelve. It was (and still is) just great for him. It wasn't that I didn't want him around or couldn't handle him, I just thought he needed a little more stimulation than I was able to offer. That, and he is still there just thriving. The second year he was there we added a day, so it was four mornings, then halfway through the year he asked to stay through lunch so it became nine to one. The school goes through kindergarten, so he'll be there next year as well. He had asked to stay a full day, so he goes Tuesday through Thursday nine to one, and stays til three-thirty on Friday. Next year, we will add another full day, maybe two, then the following year he will start first grade. It feels good to be gradually increasing his time at school.

We feel really great about the choice, but I must say, HE has directed us a lot. Meaning, he was VERY ready to go. The children had to be potty trained at his school, so we were lucky there.

Also, it depends on how ready YOU are too! It can be very hard sending them off to school.

Amy