Is missing preschool really missing school?

[kerriemiller]

DH and took DD2 and DD4 for their first trip last Sept. We had discussed going again but waiting a little. So DH comes home from work the other day says we should pick a week that the girls have some time off of school and go back to Disney this fall. GREAT!!! I have seriously been planning our next trip for like 6 months. So I set to work narrowing down days. I find that the days that they have 3 or 4 day weekends from school are going to be busier times at Disney. I want to go back the same week we went last year. And with the help of my DD4 we have convience DH a die-hard deluxer to stay at the new AoA, Lion King room. I showed him the parking at the resort is fairly close and we dont have to use the buses because we will have the car, sweet he says sign me up. Then I suggest since we are saving so much what if we stay an extra day or two. This is when things go sour. Absolutly not we are not taking the kids out of school. Im like what its preschool they only go 3 days a week. With DD4 going to kindergarden the following year, IMO this is the last year that taking her out wont leave her behind.

Long story short, Im thinking Im going to push this issue. Its a two day drive for us I want to stay longer then 5 days. What do you think?

 

[Heidict]

I'm with you on this one. No, I do not consider preschool to be school. Heck, my DD didn't even attend preschool or pre-K. She just went straight into kindergarten and is doing quite well there.

Not trying to devalue the hard work of teachers, whether they be in preschool or high school, but what is she going to miss? It's not like it's going to set her back or make her flunk a test or anything.

 

[NMAmy]

No, missing preschool is not going to adversely effect your children. Preschool is the perfect time to miss school and enjoy low crowds and nice weather.

 

[Soldier's*Sweeties]

DH and took DD2 and DD4 for their first trip last Sept. We had discussed going again but waiting a little. So DH comes home from work the other day says we should pick a week that the girls have some time off of school and go back to Disney this fall. GREAT!!! I have seriously been planning our next trip for like 6 months. So I set to work narrowing down days. I find that the days that they have 3 or 4 day weekends from school are going to be busier times at Disney. I want to go back the same week we went last year. And with the help of my DD4 we have convience DH a die-hard deluxer to stay at the new AoA, Lion King room. I showed him the parking at the resort is fairly close and we dont have to use the buses because we will have the car, sweet he says sign me up. Then I suggest since we are saving so much what if we stay an extra day or two. This is when things go sour. Absolutly not we are not taking the kids out of school. Im like what its preschool they only go 3 days a week. With DD4 going to kindergarden the following year, IMO this is the last year that taking her out wont leave her behind.

Long story short, Im thinking Im going to push this issue. Its a two day drive for us I want to stay longer then 5 days. What do you think?

I think it depends on the type of preschool your DD goes to.

Mine went to a regular elementary school, all day school hours with P.E., music and everything. The teachers and principals there looked at pre-k the same as any other grade.

***ETA-
We were out of district as well, so if they went over the unexcused absences allowed they would have been kicked out.

 

[IUTBAM]

Preschool would not even be a blip on my radar in terms of missing school. Absolutely not.

Our last "we feel comfortable with our DD missing several - 3 or 4 - days of school for a Disney vacation" trip was when my DD was in third grade. After that, we decided to go during the holidays. She graduated as the Valedictorian of her class of 650, so I feel confident that her missing school in preschool, and then K-2 did not affect her in the least.

 

[luvmy3]

Since I had no problem taking my kids out of Elementary school to go to WDW you can guess who I side with

 

[Soldier's*Sweeties]

I should also add that I don't have an issue taking kids out of school either...As long as it won't get them kicked out.

 

[billdob62]

Go for it. Pre-school is just an enhanced version of babysitting. Not going to miss anything that will damage the kids or their future in anyway.

 

[kamik86]

DH and took DD2 and DD4 for their first trip last Sept. We had discussed going again but waiting a little. So DH comes home from work the other day says we should pick a week that the girls have some time off of school and go back to Disney this fall. GREAT!!! I have seriously been planning our next trip for like 6 months. So I set to work narrowing down days. I find that the days that they have 3 or 4 day weekends from school are going to be busier times at Disney. I want to go back the same week we went last year. And with the help of my DD4 we have convience DH a die-hard deluxer to stay at the new AoA, Lion King room. I showed him the parking at the resort is fairly close and we dont have to use the buses because we will have the car, sweet he says sign me up. Then I suggest since we are saving so much what if we stay an extra day or two. This is when things go sour. Absolutly not we are not taking the kids out of school. Im like what its preschool they only go 3 days a week. With DD4 going to kindergarden the following year, IMO this is the last year that taking her out wont leave her behind.

Long story short, Im thinking Im going to push this issue. Its a two day drive for us I want to stay longer then 5 days. What do you think?

If you can't convince him to take the kids out is it possible to fly? That would free up a couple of days.

 

[sPaRkLeSpAz]

I think it's okay. Preschool is really important and all, but this is Disney!

 

[kerriemiller]

I KNOW!!! but see Im the Disney nut he's the tag along. He humors me but I have allies 4 2 he will do what ever they want. Hmmm I just realized this makes me sound devious. Can we agree all is far in love and Disney

 

[Heidict]

I KNOW!!! but see Im the Disney nut he's the tag along. He humors me but I have allies 4 2 he will do what ever they want. Hmmm I just realized this makes me sound devious. Can we agree all is far in love and Disney

Oh yeah, they have daddy wrapped around their little fingers, don't they? I am familiar with working that angle with my own DD. Go for it!!

 

[Soldier's*Sweeties]

Go for it. Pre-school is just an enhanced version of babysitting. Not going to miss anything that will damage the kids or their future in anyway.

I disagree with this.

A lot of preschools(especially in the actual elementary schools) are actual educational programs.

Testing and everything...

 

[kate_wdw]

In a word, no.

 

[ICF]

I think the kids will be fine missing pre-school....it's not even like the "state" would care since preschool isn't mandatory by law.

 

[cornflake]

Go for it. Pre-school is just an enhanced version of babysitting. Not going to miss anything that will damage the kids or their future in anyway.

This is not always the case, at all. At serious preschools, there's structured play that contains learning, activities, direct learning, etc., etc.

I don't think missing a couple of days of preschool for a trip is a big deal, but preschool isn't just kids randomly playing with blocks and colouring, in a lot of cases. No one would pay $30,000 for that.

 

[kathie859]

OP, missing preschool for a family trip wouldn't concern me in the least

Unless your child is older and has difficulty staying current in his work, either because of school policy or intellectual challenges, I'd never worry about spending quality time with my child as a detriment to their development.

I know there's a cadre of folks who subscribe to the "children must never miss school-ever" theory lest they be "left behind"; but I believe that education can occur outside of the formal classroom and a family trip can be and should be educational.

 

[Janepod]

Depends on the school. My kid's preschool was $15K a year; you better believe we sent him every day!

For a two year old going 3 days a week? Enjoy your vacation!

 

[mco65]

You can put me in the Pre School is not School camp..

I would not think twice about them missing pre-school but everyone is a little different. Perhaps if you could get your husband to speak with the school about what the kids might be missing.. perhaps they could supply a list of things the kids could do on vacation (school work) to make up for the missed time..

I know I gripe to my wife when the kids miss sporting activities to go to Disney.. but preschool.. nah!

 

[Heidict]

I think the kids will be fine missing pre-school....it's not even like the "state" would care since preschool isn't mandatory by law.

I found out not to long ago that kindergarten isn't even mandatory here. Of course I sent her though. Not just so she could learn, but because it cut down on the daycare bill.