Are most pre-schools day care centers also?

[Jenn Lynn]

I am new to this pre-school thing. We were going to send DD to the pre-school that is in our church. They have decided not to start a 3 year old class, they start at age 4. So I have been looking in the phone book and everything says day care and pre-school or Early learning center (is that just another way to say day care?) I have nothing against day care, we just don't need to use it. So I was wondering if this is the norm?

Is there such a thing as public pre-schools? Or does the public school system not start until kidnergarten?

Thanks!

 

[FreshTressa]

My daughter is in just a preschool, no day care offered. All the kids in her class go for just 2 and a half hours.

You can tell the daycare ones because some kids stay all day. I would recommend staying away from those.

Our school district does not offer a public preschool unless you meet certain income guidelines. It is called head start.

We have saved money by doing co-op preschools where you have to work once a month or once a year to help out.

 

[KristiKelly]

Day care & pre-school are different. Daycare, kids just play and do art some but not alot of structure. DD is in 3 y/o preschool now, she goes in & sits in her spot @ the table, they work on one letter or number a day or two. They have centers to play certain things, they have "singing time", story time, scripture time, where they learn bible versus, & DD favorite - Snack Time!! there is much more structure, but they are still allowed to play & have fun. DD loves it!!!

 

[Lewski709]

My daycare does pre-school, but some are seperate. I kill two birds with one stone by him attending this daycare. There is nothing any pre-school is teaching that he isn't learning, we've checked. The structure for the pre-school portion is not different either. It's very structured with just what the poster above me mentioned: singing, art, letters, colors, shapes, games, etc..........

 

[CamColt]

I have seen some that are both daycare/preschool however I wasnt interested in those ones either. I wanted DS to get more of a "school" experience with structured classes and the like as opposed to a babysitting experience(nothing wrong with it, just not what I was looking for). In the end I was very happy with where we sent him(and now DS#2) as he got out of it, just what I wanted him to.

In our area there is a public preschool for kids who need extra help(learning disabilities, and the like). The kids have to screened to see if they meet the requirements and if they do they are allowed in free of charge. There is also a lottery for any open slots left.

 

[Gupsmom]

have seen some that are both daycare/preschool however I wasnt interested in those ones either. I wanted DS to get more of a "school" experience with structured classes and the like as opposed to a babysitting experience

That's not what it is. Many daycares run a regular preschool during their morning hours. My children have all attended one just like that. My kids do not go to daycare because I am a SAHM. They only go to the center for the morning preschool hours and then I pick them up. They are taught by fully certified teachers. I went to about 8 preschools before I decided on this one. It is AWESOME!!! There are classroom divided by age...3's and 4's. These rooms are set up like any other preschool. My youngest (the only one left in preschool) has computer time, foreign language, outdoor play time, an indoor playground and all the normal letters, numbers, songs, story time etc. She can also sign up to stay later for tae kwon do and/or dancing classes.

I'm just telling you this so you don't rule out a really great preschool just because it is located insidde a daycare center. The location does not mean that the school is run like a babyitting service.

Jess

 

[rdrjj5]

Our public school system has 2 1/2 hr preschool for 3 and 4 year old children. Children with special needs do not pay but there is a fee for the other children. We pay $122/month for 3 mornings a week. My DD4 loves it

 

[mommytotwo]

I used to teach at a preschool, and we had started with 2 year olds which were known as our toddler group. We had taught them the same way as the other preschoolers of having a set schedule, learning about different themes each week, ... the only thing that they were not able to do was to go on field trips-(with the exception of seeing the Christmas tree and Santa since the hotel was on the same property as the preschool). I would call the places in your phone book and ask them how they handle things and how they handle things for two year olds.

 

[Jenn Lynn]

Thank you for your replies!

When you went to visit the pre-school what kinds of questions did you ask and what were you looking for? I have kind of a general idea of what I would like in a pre-school, but I do not know what to look for specifically.

Thanks!

 

[Jenn Lynn]

Originally posted by mommytotwo
I used to teach at a preschool, and we had started with 2 year olds which were known as our toddler group. We had taught them the same way as the other preschoolers of having a set schedule, learning about different themes each week, ... the only thing that they were not able to do was to go on field trips-(with the exception of seeing the Christmas tree and Santa since the hotel was on the same property as the preschool). I would call the places in your phone book and ask them how they handle things and how they handle things for two year olds.

Thanks! She will just have turned 3 by the time school starts so we are looking for a 3 year old program

 

[JESW]

DD5 spent her first year of pre-school at the public school. During her second year I put her in a private school that is also a day care. School is offered during the morning from 8:30 -12:30 and after that is day care. She is in there Mon., Wed., and Friday mornings. I take her out just after lunch when school is over and the kids remaining are in "day care", which just means play time and rest time.

DD's teachers are certified teachers and they follow a pre-school curiculum (sp?). I took her out of the public school since the hours were so short (7 hours a week compared to the 12 she gets now) since she NEEDS the time with children her own age. I have had NO complaints at all with this type of school. With the longer hours they have more time to do things than when she was in the public school.

Good luck!

Jill

 

[CamColt]

Originally posted by Gupsmom
I'm just telling you this so you don't rule out a really great preschool just because it is located insidde a daycare center. The location does not mean that the school is run like a babyitting service.
Jess

Thanks I do appreciate that. The one in particular that I had looked into( a friend was sending her son there) reminded me way too much of day care. The kids could show up at anytime between say 8:00-9:00( I forget exactly) and they could bring breakfast and sit and eat it when they arrived. They had a long row of potty chairs(not toilets in a bathroom) lined up and cribs too. Also kids could stay any number of hours during the day, so some kids would be going at all times. I was looking for something where school started at a specific time and they had more structure than to allow them to sit around and eat if they just felt like it. Im sure you are right, all wouldnt be like that, but that one really made an impression on me.

 

[mommytotwo]

Ask the director as many questions as you have. Some questions that you may want to ask is what type of cirriculum do they have, and see what the daily schedule is. If possible, ask if you are able to come in for a day or less to see how things are runned at their preschool. That will give you a feel of how the preschoo is, you can see the way that the teachers interact with the students, ...

 

[bananiem]

Hi, Jenn Lynn!
I used to teach in a "child care center" and later became the Director. I think you have to look at what you really want out of the school. I have a degree in elem. ed. and early childhood ed. so you can bet the kids got preschool activities! But my best advice to you is to go and visit. Spend quite a bit of time. Ask if you can stay for the morning session. See how Avery does with the other kids, or go alone so you can observe the other kids and teachers. Then go with your gut feeling. If a place doesn't let you visit for the morning RUN as fast as you can to another place. I never had any problem with having parents visit.
Good luck! I'm sure Avery will love the preschool experience.
ann