Preschool

I'm curious to know how many of you are doing just 1 year of preschool vs. 2. Here in AZ. in the area I'm moving to it is soooo expensive ($250/per child per month) but not only that I'm finding even calling this month is too late. The waiting list for this coming fall already has 30-60 kids on it. Anyway, just curious how many years you'll be doing.

 

We will actually be doing three years since they have a January birthday. The first two years we are doing two days a week and the year before Kindergarten they will go three days a week. Have you checked your community programs? They may have a tiny tots/ preschool program that is more reasonably priced.

 

We're starting at 3.5.....

 

We did 2 years. I would look around at other preschools, to find one that is more affordable. Marc's was something like $1100 for the year for 3's--2 days a week, and $1400 a year for the 4's--3 days a week. Jon's was free

 

We are starting 2 days a week in the fall at just over 3 1/2, then they will do 3 days next year. We put our deposit in a month ago.

 

QUOTE(~* dfaut *~ @ Mar 5 2008, 02:46 PM) [snapback]654728[/snapback]
We're starting at 3.5.....



Ditto this. We won't be starting until fall 2009.

In the meantime, we will sign up for short-term programs offered by the community centers (parent to accompany children) and utilize the drop-in playtimes.

 

This Septmeber, my boys will be going to Montessori T, W, Th from 11:15-1:00 (Actaully, I should get a call this month if they have room for my boys). They will have just turned 2. The following year when they are three, I think it is 5 days a week.

 

My boys aren't starting until the fall (they will be 4.5) They will go 3 mornings a week. I really struggled with this, partly due to cost and partly because I stay at home and I figured they will be in school for the next 20 years...why not keep them for as long as I can?! I was worried about socialization, so I do get involved in story time, mom's groups, etc. They are fine with "academics" they pick up a lot from the stuff we do around the house, so no worries there. So bottom line...for us...it was totally worth it and the right decision. I will say it was stressful at first because EVERYONE we knew went to preschool at 3. Good luck and just remember shut out everyone's "opinions" and do what is right for your family!

 

Mine will do 2 years of preschool before starting K, that is what my oldest DD did too.

 

K&M will go to preschool for 2 years. They start this September and they will be a month shy of turning 4. They are enrolled in a 2 day program (half days). The tuition is $180 a month per child.

They are already enrolled but I know the school is still advertising with openings.

I honestly don't know what I'll do for the 2nd year. Our town has full day kindergarten. On one hand, I want them to be prepared for that but on the other hand, I want them home with me!

 

QUOTE(2monkeez @ Mar 6 2008, 12:54 AM) [snapback]654888[/snapback]
My boys aren't starting until the fall (they will be 4.5) They will go 3 mornings a week. I really struggled with this, partly due to cost and partly because I stay at home and I figured they will be in school for the next 20 years...why not keep them for as long as I can?! I was worried about socialization, so I do get involved in story time, mom's groups, etc. They are fine with "academics" they pick up a lot from the stuff we do around the house, so no worries there. So bottom line...for us...it was totally worth it and the right decision. I will say it was stressful at first because EVERYONE we knew went to preschool at 3. Good luck and just remember shut out everyone's "opinions" and do what is right for your family!


Your thoughts and mine are the same!! I do feel the pressure to put them in because mom's in our mom's group are this year and it just seems like people around me all do 2 years. I'm putting them in kindergarten at 6 and I really do work with them at home so I hope with doing that and keeping up a 2 times a wk. playgroup is enough for this year because we just can't afford it. We visited 2 schools this morning I loved but 1 wanted a $400 registration fee and $320 a month. The other was $240 a month which is better but still a lot for us and I only priced 2 days a wk. for 1/2 day for both. I just hope I'm not ruining anything by doing 1 year verses 2!!!

 

Mine will go to preschool for 4 years! We started at almost 2 y.o. going 1 morning a week. This year they go 2 mornings and next year at almost 4 will go 3 mornings. When they are 5 they will go 5 mornings a week to WV pre-k at our preschool. They won't start kindergarten until almost 6 b/c of the cutoff for bdays here.

 

I am not planning to send my boys to preschool...I have been doing a lot of reading lately that shows that preschool is not absolutely necessary to ensure your child's future success in school. I have nothing against preschool in general, but you definitely shouldn't worry if your children only go for one year. My daughter did some preschool activities in daycare but never went to a formal preschool. She will be graduating from college next year with great grades, so I know she turned out fine I waited a long time to be able to stay home with my boys so I am in no hurry to put them in school. We are going to have fun together at home for as long as possible. Preschool will be our great homeschooling *experiment*.

 

My plan is to start them at 3, then go for 4 and 5's. They have feb birthday's. I'm thinking 2 or 3 days a week at three, and 4 at 4 yrs and then at 5 full time. Well I'll have to pick them up early by half an hour, as Big brother gets out nearly the same time. Different school, and there is NO bus.

teri

 

My girls are going for 2 yrs. They have a late birthday (Nov) so they will be almost 6 when they start kindergarten in Sept. They went 2 days the first year and 4 days the second all was half days. My son I am thinking of only sending him for 1 year, he has an early birthday Aug. Then I will talk to his preschool teacher and see if she thinks he will need another year or not but I am only planning for one yr with him.

 

all of my kids went for 2 years (i taught at preschool for a portion of it.) my twins will start at 2 and 1/2 next January. they are already registered since my youngest DD is an alumni we got in pretty easy. our preschool is about 350 per month per child and i think that is pretty reasonable for the area. they are certified teachers and a small teacher child ratio. one of my biggest concerns when looking for a preschool (years ago) was that it was not a daycare and preschool. i don't need daycare right now and i didn't want any of the "care taking" being done out the my home (lunch, nap , etc) i only want the preschool for the fun and socialization. i love preschool and my kids have always had great experiences and made wonderful friends. good luck!

 

If my girls are fully potty trained by fall of this year, they can start attending the Montessori preschool classroom at daycare for half the day, they are there 3 days/week. So if we are potty trained by fall I think we're going to do that. That would make 3 years of preschool.

We'll do just two years if they don't make that potty training goal, or maybe 2.5 if they can start there in January-09 and are potty trained.

For at least the last year I'll do a separate preschool from daycare, through the school system.

 

My 2 will do two years. Next year Fall they will be in the 3 yr 2 day a week and then whne they are 4 it is 3 days a week and at K it is a full day 5 days. I think the transition is nice and they will benefit from the socialization and routine.

 

Thanks for your replies!

We decided we're doing 1 year at age 5 and kindergarten at 6 since they're late Aug birthdays. I'm excited about being with them this extra year and teaching them myself at home. I think with 2 playgroups (a twin one and regular one) a wk. and working with mom this year, for our family this will work out just fine.

 

Hey Randi,

Check out this website: http://www.preschoolexpress.com/ I always find great things to do with the kiddies here! Good luck!

Kate

 

I am only doing 1 year of preschool next year when they will have just turned 4. They go to a 1 day a week program at a church from 9-12 that only costs me $41 total a month for both of them. Preschool would be only 2 hours of more time each week, but would cost us and extra $100! I just can't justify that. My 9 year old son never went to preschool and is in the gifted program and skipped a grade in math, and I am not one of those super organized moms who does "preschool" at home. I just try to fit in learning letters and numbers while playing. So I think whatever works for your family is fine.

 

I am so excited I got my boys into psch this fall 2 hours three times a week! I signed up 1.5 years ago! Yup you need to sign up early for the good ones! Its run through the local High School Juniors and Seniors and overseen by two teachers. They only take 12 kids a year and no advertising as word of mouth works wonders. And the best part $500 a YEAR. So thats $1000 a year really but still a great deal all around. They are so ready to be in that type of social environment with their peers w/out mommy! So that will be 3 years of preschool like dd did. But I do agree they grow up so fast and was thinking wow in 3 years they will be in school full time (we just voted in full day K from p/t YAY) and then sports and friends. OMG.

I do firmlly believe kids should have one year of preschool - pre K if they have never been in a daycare setting to prepare them emotionally for school FL just approved FREE for their kids but they must be potty trained. So then my boys would not start until 4.5. VT is working on putting something together. I hope other states follow!

 

We are doing two years, since the girls will be entering K when they are 4 turning 5, and I want them to get as much of a leg up as they can. We are doing two half days this year, and three half days next year.

 

Kate, thanks for referencing that website! I just bookmarked it!!!

We will do two years. BUT, if the schools around here were that expensive, we would be doing one! (I know some of the fancier private preschools can be that expensive. Have you looked at local churches, community colleges, school districts for programs?)

 

I am in AZ. I send my children to a Co-op, which means I participate every other week. It has been a good experience. I started them when they were turning 3. Their b'days are in Oct. so they started with the 2's class. It is $180/child per month. Good Luck.

 

I should have not looked at the cost of the preschools in this tread. We just went for a tour of one of the local good but cheaper preschools. I still think it is more then what has been mentioned in this thread.
I want to send my girls 3 days a week. It looks like the programs in my area are all 4 hours a day for the 3 year olds and longer for the 4 year olds.