Daycare/Preschool help please.

[leahannpen]

I'm wondering if anyone has put a child into day care or preschool at a later age. My son is 3, and my daytime sitter situation has caved in on me. I don't want to put him into something full time right off the bat. I think he needs to start out part time and get used to this change first.

Did anyone do this, and if so, can you give me any pointers on how to ease him into this and make the new big change alittle less of a scary thing.

Please help.

 

[The Mystery Machine]

I didn't send my kids until they were three. If you plan on putting him there full time I would just do that from the start. I think that might be easier on him. Try to have a 3yo "adjust" over long term is really more work for him, I would think. Stretching things out doesn't work for my kids, though.

 

[TEENEE]

My kids started pre school when they were 3 1/2 & 4. It was really easy. We went to the school the day before they started so they could look around and meet the staff and kids. Neither of them had any tears on their first day. They were very comfortable when they walked in the classroom. I think it's harder for mom then it is for the kids. Oh, both kids went Mon, Wed and Fri.

 

[CamColt]

Both my kids started preschool at 3 1/2. The first year they went for 2 days/week and the second year(where my youngest is now) they go 3 days.
Ironically at first some thought it was too early for them to go. I guess it can go either way.
But both have had positive experiences doing it this way and Im glad I did it.

 

[bananiem]

Former teacher and director of a childcare/preschool here. I think the idea of having them visit a day or two beforehand is a great idea. If you call the place ahead of time ask if they would be able to see where their cubby will be and such. Also, find out when they'll be doing something you know your child will like. For instance, if he likes art, ask when they'll be doing that and be sure to go to see a part of that. Or if outside time is a biggie with him, go for part of the time they're outside. Be prepared to stay an hour. You'll get a good idea of how things go on a daily basis by watching how the kids interact with each other and the teachers.
How you react will be a BIG part of how he'll react. Act like you're excited for him to meet so many new friends and the activities they'll do.
Goodbye's in the mornings can be eased with a routine. We had kids that did the kiss and a hug then waved out the window. Other parents would drop their kids off at breakfast time and would stick around until the child was eating. Other families had special handshake rituals.

 

[leahannpen]

Thanks for all the info so far. My son can be very shy until he warms up, and he seems to be at an age where he is more clingy to mom. (Plus, our whole sitter at home issue is upsetting me, so maybe I'm more worried about ME LOL!! I just don't want that to rub off on him, so I'm trying to be prepaired.)

I just thought it would be easier to start him out slowly, rather than throw him into full time, but maybe getting more responses from others here will help me.

I like the idea of finding out things he likes... he loves swing sets/slides, so that would be a plus for him, for sure.

I'm sure he'll like it once he gets into it, I just am looking for ways to make it seem exciting and fun, not scary.

He will eventually go full time, I'm just not sure when.

 

[laurie31]

My girls each started preschool when they were three. They went Mon, Wed, Fri from 9-12. When they were four, they went 4 days a week. I liked the gradual approach. Obviously they went all 5 days for kindergarten, but I put dd1 in a half-day program and dd2 in a full day program, as dd2 was ready for full day, dd1 wasn't. You have to adjust things to what works for your child

Make it sound like a fun place to go play and meet new friends. My goal for preschool was for the girls to learn how to play with others and how to behave in a group setting. (kids who have never been anywhere before they start Kindergarten have no idea what to do with the teacher says, "Line up." ) They loved it, and both of them are also slow to warm up to people. Good luck!

Laurie

 

[Jenn Lynn]

Avery started pre-school this fall. She goes T-Th for 2 1/2 hrs. Her school did something that I thought was neat. The first day (Th) 1/2 of the class went to school from 9-10, the other 1/2 went from 10:30-11:30. The second day the whole class went for an hour. And the third day the whole class went all day.

They said it was mainly for the kids who are scared and wonder if Mom will be back to pick them up. An hour can be a long time for a child. So when you say "I'll be back in a little while to get you" and then you come back they know you are not going to leave them.

Maybe you could adapt this to your son. Good luck.

 

[momof2inPA]

My 4 year old started pre-school this year, and it was a bit scary for me because of his many food allergies, but I found a school with experience in this area, and it's worked out great. His only complaint is that they color too much.

 

[cgcw]

It sounds as if you are looking for more of a daycare situation than a preschool situation with a couple of hours a day.

Here's my suggestion based on what I have noticed with my daycare kids who are part time. Having them attend on consecutive days is easier for both the child and the daycare group.

If your going to start him out at 3 days, if you could manage it to be Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday, it's easier than having Monday, Wednesday & Friday. This way, the kids don't have what I call "two Monday's" in their week. They know they come to my house for X number of days in a row and then spend X number of days at home.

 

[momsully]

Both my sons went to a preschool/daycare full time. My youngest will be three in October and his school is preschool in the morning (8:30 - 11:30) with more of a daycare type environment in the afternoon. I work full time so he is there five days a week. About half the kids in the class are part time a couple of days a week. They leave at 11:30 with the remainder staying for lunch, nap and other activities.

I agree with letting the child visit first. This helps them get comfortable. Preschool/daycare can be a great experience for your child. My son has some great friends even at three and my five year old started kindergarten this year with five kids he had spent several years with.