How do you feel about Preschool?

[hockeyprincess]

Our daughter will be turning 5 years old only 2 days before the Kindergarten cutoff date.. you know, the must be 5 by xx date or they can't come rule? Well we were really debating on sending her to kindergarten, making her the youngest in the class. We changed our mind, and will send her when she turns 6 and will likely be the oldest in the class. I feel that this will offer her far more opportunities than always being the youngest, and every person we've posed this question to in education says to hold her back. Everyone in our family says send her!! (she's a very bright, smart, and very literal 4 year old right now) Anyway, we are holding her back another year and that decision is final.

What I do want to know is this: Would you spend $108 per month for 3-day a week, 1/2 days for preschool? M-W-F 8:05-11:30am only? And you pay even if class is cancelled that day? (for instance, fog or snow delays/cancellations?) I know preschool would be good for her, especially socially. She has friends, is already in a dance class that she has made friends in, she's very smart as stated before, knows ABC's can count to 100, all kinds of things. Her big brother has taught her quite alot in her 4 years. (Well we have too, but he's really been a big influence for her) I just don't know if she NEEDS to go. $108 is alot of money for the time she will be there, I feel. Our son went to preschool/daycare and I think I paid $72 for the week, but he was there 9 hours a day and had 2 meals there!

Plus, I will have to arrange someone to pick her up every day she's there and drop her off at my grandma's while I'm at work. I work in a different town and my husband is out of town every single day for work. So that would be a bit of an inconvienience as well....

Let me know what you think, like I said my son went, my nephew did not and they both turned out ok, and they are both in the same grade! So, is preschool still a necessity? Especially for that amount of money?

 

[ekatiel]

Our daughter will be turning 5 years old only 2 days before the Kindergarten cutoff date.. you know, the must be 5 by xx date or they can't come rule? Well we were really debating on sending her to kindergarten, making her the youngest in the class. We changed our mind, and will send her when she turns 6 and will likely be the oldest in the class. I feel that this will offer her far more opportunities than always being the youngest, and every person we've posed this question to in education says to hold her back. Everyone in our family says send her!! (she's a very bright, smart, and very literal 4 year old right now) Anyway, we are holding her back another year and that decision is final.

What I do want to know is this: Would you spend $108 per month for 3-day a week, 1/2 days for preschool? M-W-F 8:05-11:30am only? And you pay even if class is cancelled that day? (for instance, fog or snow delays/cancellations?) I know preschool would be good for her, especially socially. She has friends, is already in a dance class that she has made friends in, she's very smart as stated before, knows ABC's can count to 100, all kinds of things. Her big brother has taught her quite alot in her 4 years. (Well we have too, but he's really been a big influence for her) I just don't know if she NEEDS to go. $108 is alot of money for the time she will be there, I feel. Our son went to preschool/daycare and I think I paid $72 for the week, but he was there 9 hours a day and had 2 meals there!

Plus, I will have to arrange someone to pick her up every day she's there and drop her off at my grandma's while I'm at work. I work in a different town and my husband is out of town every single day for work. So that would be a bit of an inconvienience as well....

Let me know what you think, like I said my son went, my nephew did not and they both turned out ok, and they are both in the same grade! So, is preschool still a necessity? Especially for that amount of money?

We're holding my DS back, too-- he will be 5 on July 19th. The cut off here is September 1st. There are 6 kids out of DS's preschool class (of 16) that are being held back, so we're definitely not alone. I think those preschool prices are very reasonable (cheap, even!). I pay $280/month for 4 days a week, 9am-2pm. It is not necessary, but if you feel that she may benefit from the socialization, or just getting used to the school environment, I would think it it worth the $$. DS will be doing "advanced pre-k" next year (whatever that is ), so that he doesn't have to repeat the 4 year old year. many places have programs like "advance pre-k" or "bridge" classes designed for older 4's or those who were held back a year by their parents. Good luck with whatever you decide. --Katie

 

[ajk912]

Your daughter probably won't be the oldest in the class. Probably among the oldest, but I am sure there will be at least a handful of kids older than her. So many people hold back summer birthdays anymore.

I do think preschool is necessary. Absolutely. I know many kids, my neighbor's kid included, who end up repeating a grade because they didn't get the preschool background/experience/education. Even another friend of mine was told by her teacher..something to the effect of: "I don't know why your daughter is strugging so much, she went to a good preschool!" It seems the K teachers, without meaning to, kind of notice the kids who don't have the preschool background.

I have put three kids through preschool, and it's the industry standard to pay no matter what. They base the tuition rates on the school year, and just divide by 9 or 10..so the tuition is what you pay, and it's just broken into monthly payments like a car payment. One day doesn't make a difference in the tuition amount.

It's VERY necessary, IMO!

 

[Jenny-momof3]

As a former teacher I think preschool is very important. And not just for the academics part of it. The socialization, following directions from other adults, working in groups, etc. is just not something you can teach them at home.

And the price seems very fair to me. We paid $250 for 3 mornings a week. And we also paid regardless of if they were open or not. 2 weeks at Christmas and 2 weeks spring break. So for those months I paid $41 per morning of preschool.

 

[Waseller77]

We are going through this right now as well. Our daughter is 6 days shy of the cut-off date in our area and we have decided to hold her back. In my daughter's case, it will be absolutely essential that she gets some pre-school in during this year. I feel that she needs that classroom setting and interaction with kids her age to get her ready for Kindergarten. So I say, do the preschool!

 

[JaimeK]

You say you work, what does your daughter do currently? Does she go to daycare?
If it's the cost, look around for other options. All daycares offer pre-K from what I've seen here. There are a few pre-school only daycares here, private/parochial schools, YMCA, co-ops, and some of the public schools here offer pre-school/pre-K.

 

[disneymomto5]

Yes, definately send her, it will be good for her. My baby (who I held back), just graduated from preschool today....She'll be six in Sept and the cut off is Sept 30. I feel really good about my decision to hold her back and I really think that preschool helped her maturity, and emotionally. And that price is really CHEAP!!! I wish that's all I paid!

 

[Jenny-momof3]

Also... I doubt she'll be the oldest. Around here... many of the kids are being held back if their birthdays are April and beyond.

 

[Mrs. Bradbury]

I think preschool is good if for nothing but to get them used to being in a classroom. That said, my oldest started out in preschool and hated it and I took him out. "It's just too big," is all he would say, and I could tell that he truly didn't like it. He was staying at a babystitter's so the preschool was a completely separate situation. He went on to kindergarten the next year and was fine.

On the other hand, my daughter could not wait to start school, even if it was preschool. She was in a daycare/preschool and was so anxious to do preschool they allowed her to start at age 3. even though she had a late birthday and wouldn't actually be in a true preschool class until the next fall.

I was a SAHM by the time I had my youngest, so preschool was important for him to be around kids his age.

Go with your gut. Most people don't look back and say, "Gee, my mom really screwed up my life forever because she did/didn't send me to preschool."

 

[mychicks]

Not sure if I feel preschool is "necessary" but my dds have really gotten a lot out of it. dd7 and dd4 both went to preschool for two years, youngest will be 5 in August and she is going to kindergarten in the fall. She attends preschool 5 days/week now.

I think the price for your preschool is very reasonable. Here parents pay $16/day for a half day program, which is 2.5 hours a day. We pay if our kids are sick, but not for snow days.

Is the preschool curriculum very academic based? I'm amazed at what my youngest has learned this year. The social aspect as well as the structure of the classroom are benefits as well.

I say if you can swing in financially and have someone to pick her up from school, then definitely send her. She'll love it and certainly get a lot out of it.

 

[Wilsonfamily4]

I think it depends. We sent our daughter to a 3 day a week preschool and she did not come out of it knowing anything. The poor Kindergarten teacher had her hands full.

We sent our son to a 5 day a week Pre-K and he has learned soooo much. They are a lot more academic where my daughters preschool was all about interaction and play time.

I would choose the school wisely but if the right school you will be so happy.

 

[hockeyprincess]

You say you work, what does your daughter do currently? Does she go to daycare?
If it's the cost, look around for other options. All daycares offer pre-K from what I've seen here. There are a few pre-school only daycares here, private/parochial schools, YMCA, co-ops, and some of the public schools here offer pre-school/pre-K.

She has always went to my grandma's. Both my grandparents are still alive and able to take care of her, and she is the light of their life. So right now, and well since she's been born, we've never paid babysitter/daycare. Don't flame me for that please!! LOL We did pay out the ying-yang when our son went to daycare though. We are very blessed that my grandparents keep her and love every minute of it.

So that being said, after preschool they will take her for the afternoon, feed her lunch, nap, and I'll get her after work.

After I posted the price I was like....well..... we do live in a smaller town and probably that price is much cheaper than most pay, especially in bigger cities. But an extra $100+ per month, I guess I feel if it's not NEEDED why spend it? And of course the preschool is going to push me to send her, because they want my money!!

So far the consensus is to send her....

 

[weHEARTmickey]

First of all, I think you've made a WONDERFUL decision by holding her back. My DS turns 6 tomorrow & he completed kindergarten today. He did very well & his teacher said he's ready to move on to 1st, but we're retaining him. He's at least a head shorter than almost everyone else & gets picked on because of it. He tends to be a follower, rather than a leader, due to his age/height/immaturity. Everyone we've ever spoken with about this says we will not regret our decision to do K all over again. I'd rather him be taller & smarter than shorter & struggling!

Anyway....I must say that kindergarten is a big jump for our babies. I'm not sure about your school, but my DS had to go from 8-3 M-F. That's very tiring for little ones! I think preschool is a fantastic choice. It prepares them educationally & socially (like PP mentioned) but also prepares their bodies for hours of instruction/structured learning.

And, I think $108 is an awesome price per month! We'll spend more than that each summer month, just trying to find the kids projects & things to do. So your DD will be using preschool's paper/ crayons/ glue/ scissors/ water/ snacks/etc.... (I know, many have supply fees, but we always use more than that amount of $$ at home) Good luck with your decision!

 

[princessmorgan]

My DD will turn 5 in September and will make the cutoff date by a few days. I actually decided to send her to Kindergarten, because she's been in preschool 2 years already. This year though has been amazing. Her teacher is incredible and has taught her to write and read sentences. The year before was more of a "let's play" environment, which was fine for her age at the time. I think $108 a month is in incredible deal on preschool. I would find out the curriculum first to see if it's worth it. I think socialization in preschool is a lot better than a dance class, because you are seeing the same children several times a week in a learning setting. If you can do it financially, then I say it's well worth it.

 

[hockeyprincess]

One more thing....there are only TWO schools to choose from in our town and neither are daycares. Both offer half day classes for her age group. Makes the decision making based on which one has an opening for her age really. Both are similarly priced and offer similar academics.

Her birthday is July 29th...her dad's is July 23rd and he was held back a year as well. He loves the fact that he was held back. He didn't struggle in school, but was picked on the first year he went (he went until Christmas break the first time, and his mom pulled him and sent him the following year with much better success) and is thankful he was held back. She on the other hand, looks like she's 6 already, acts like she's 15, talks like she's 30!! Most people can't believe that she's still only 4.

ETA our cutoff is August 1st.

 

[mjkacmom]

I think preschool is so important these days, because most kids attend at least 1 year of preschool (or daycare). Preschool is the new kindergarten, kindergarden is the new first grade, etc. I paid $800 a month last year for my twins to go (5 days, 3 hours a day - cheapest school around here). I don't think preschool is for academics - my kids knew all that stuff before they even started. It's about learning to sit and pay attention, follow directions in a classroom, learning to raise hands, control impulses, learning to get along with a large group of the same children everyday...

 

[Jenny-momof3]

That's interesting that your cutoff is August 1st. I'm in Ohio as well and ours is Sept. 30. I thought that the whole state had the same cutoff but obviously it doesn't.

By the way... both of my sister's went to kdg. One is July 31st. The other Sept. 28. They both struggled not so much academically but socially. And they both wished that my parents had held them back. But in the late 70's/early 80's... you sent your kids as long as they met the cutoff... no matter how close to it.

 

[hockeyprincess]

I think preschool is so important these days, because most kids attend at least 1 year of preschool (or daycare). Preschool is the new kindergarten, kindergarden is the new first grade, etc. I paid $800 a month last year for my twins to go (5 days, 3 hours a day - cheapest school around here). I don't think preschool is for academics - my kids knew all that stuff before they even started. It's about learning to sit and pay attention, follow directions in a classroom, learning to raise hands, control impulses, learning to get along with a large group of the same children everyday...

$800 a month, I would FAINT!!!! LOL Oh my gosh I would faint.

 

[weHEARTmickey]

$800 a month, I would FAINT!!!! LOL Oh my gosh I would faint.

NO JOKE!!!!!!! Maybe they're from New York? I saw a special on Showtime called "Preschool University" & it was serious business! (BTW we started getting Showtime free for being w/ DirectTV 10 years--wouldn't pay for it!!)

 

[PrincessMama605]

I agree with a pp, I think preschool is very important. My dd went this past school year, 3 days a week from 9-12. She loved it and she really learned a lot, socially as well as abc's, etc.

We were so happy with the school she went to that we will send her next year, despite the cost. They offer pre-K here that is comparable (and sometimes free) but I would rather have her at a school she knows for another year than at the elementary school.