Waffling on # of days for preschool

Unsure if this should be in the educational or special needs forum instead, but...

I signed Kevan & Karina up for two mornings a week of preschool for the fall, which is what Nadia did at their age (although she was nearly six months older, due to her Jan. birthday). Since then, there has been a shake-up at the school, and many teachers have left, enrollment is down, etc.

There are only two 2-year-old classes left, a 2-morning-a-week and a 3-morning-a-week. The teachers who teach the 3-morning-a-week class are supposedly *fantastic,* and come highly recommended by many people. Everyone I talk to universally raves about these two teachers. Two good friends of mine will have their kids in this class.

The school won't tell me who will teach the 2-morning-a-week class, as they say it hasn't been assigned yet. :unknw: The teacher that Nadia had, whom we loved, is not returning.

So, I'm debating switching K&K to the 3-morning-a-week class. Kev's speech therapist mentioned to us that the more he is around his peers and in a structured environment, the more his speech will improve. Plus, I would love for them to have the great teachers.

Cons -- it's an additional $2,400 for the year ($3,600 per child, instead of $2,400, for the extra day). Also, not sure if three mornings a week, from 9am to 1pm, is too much at age 2.

Also, Kev needs a bunch of outside therapy -- he is in physical therapy, speech therapy and oral motor therapy. He may need OT as well, and we also do two hyperbaric sessions with him per week, which we'd like to continue. I don't know how we could squeeze all that into two free days, plus, I'd love to continue music class with him, but not sure how it'll work.

I do have one good friend whose daughter will be in the 2-morning-a-week class.

What do you think? Should I switch them to three mornings a week, to ensure the good teachers?

 

Three long mornings a week would be a lot for my boys.

It sounds like the biggest con to the two-day class is the unkown teacher, whereas you know good things about the three-day class teachers. It takes me way back to when I was going to start second grade. There were two teachers - one I'd heard that you had to have, and the other I'd heard was terrible. Well, I drew the "terrible" one and begged my mom to do whatever she could to switch me. My mom refused to do so and said the rumors I'd heard were not good cause to pull me out of the class. As it turned out, that "terrible" teacher was my favorite teacher I've ever had - the only elementary school teacher I kept in touch with through high school. So, I share the story just to tell you that you never know about the teachers and I don't think I'd make my decision based on that. Maybe your kids will thrive with a different teacher, maybe a wonderful teacher will be assigned after all, or who knows?

 

Here is how I look at it...from now until they graduate, you will never really be able to guarantee who their teachers will be. So you can't bank on that. We signed up for our preschool class thinking we would have one teacher, and she had to unexpectly quit. We got a new one and she was FABULOUS for our kids. I wouldn't change a THING!

So for that reason, I would personally stick with the two day a week class. They are young, and having other days open will allow you to be more flexible. You can take some mommy and me type classes, you can take them to the park, you can have playdates, you can do the therapy that is needed. Just my two cents.

 

From the other side, I was thinking of the 3 day a week class BECAUSE of his issues. I know for Jonathan, putting him in 5 days a week was a huge difference. It just seems like 2 days isn't enough for consistancy--especially for a child with special needs. Also, talk to the EI therapists, they may be able to go to his preschool for therapy, and incorporate it into the program there. Also, I know you plan to send them to private school once they hit K, but he should qualify for the preschool disabled program when he turns 3, which would mean two years of free preschool, that would incorporate his therapies as well.

Just something else to think about.

 

Interesting! My ds is also slow with speech but improving. The twins currently go 2 mornings each (3 hours), and in September (at 2 years 8 months) they'll both be going 5 mornings a week (3 hours).

My oldest did 2 full days at age 2 (9.00 til 4.00 pm, more like a day care although the school started at age 2). She then did 3 full days (8 to 3) at age 3 (she has a May birthday so 3y4m) and at age 4y4m she started 5 full days (9 to 2.30). In August she'll start the super long days of Primary School ... 8.15 am until 2.40 pm plus a 45 minute bus ride both ways ... so she'll be gone from 7.30 am until 3.30 pm ...

Anyway, I wouldn't change for the teachers ... things change so quickly. Whenever I put preferences in, things go differently and things always work out for the better, for some reason. I would stick to your initial plan and/or otherwise talk to your speech therapist and see what he thinks? You can't do everything with 2 yo, you have to be realistic.

 

I would look into doing therapy AT the preschool. I know one of my DDs will get PT/OT at preschool (20-30 min 1-2x a week) since she will be in school 3 hours M-Th.

At age 2- mine would NOT have done 9-1---they needed a nap and that is a long morning.

Talk to your therapists---if you have too busy of a schedule he may not get a lot of 'free play' /down time - which is also important for social/emotional growth. I know my DD w/ sensory issues- requires 1-2 hours of quiet, alone playtime/rest time in order to decompress and function the rest of the day. Otherwise she gets way too overstimulated and starts to exhibit stress behaviors (flapping, toe walking, chewing, etc) and stops talking altogether (whines, cries, moans, etc). If we stick to her schedule and give her enough rest time she is a sweet talkative little girl!

As PP said-teachers change. A lot could happen between now and then. I would try 2 days and then if you can and/or dont like the teachers/he needs more change to 3 days.

It is so hard to make 'choices' that you feel are best and dont know what to do. Try to remember- you do what you can and it is not set in stone. If you need to switch/drop something you can!

*He may qualify for 'free' at risk preschool next year. Does EI have any groups- preschool type settings that would be less expensive?*

KC

 

Oooohhh... that's a tough one. I'd be tempted to do the three day a week preschool since you've heard the teachers are great. But from everything else you write, it sounds like two days a week is really better for your schedule and what you were planning for K & K. So hmm... (I've taken 15 minutes to eat lunch and reflect)... if you can do some of Kevan's therapies AT preschool, then go for the three days. If you're going to have to schedule everything into the two free days, I'd stick with the original plan of two days a week. You never know; the two day a week teachers might turn out to be wonderful.

Side note: if you knew the two day teachers and didn't like them, I'd say do the three days with no hesitation.

 

My boys started MDO three days a week from 9-2:30 last fall and we love the schedule. They do take a nap while they're there so that helps, there's no way I'd be able to manage them after a day at school with no nap. I sort of disagree with others who have said not to make your decision based on the teachers, I think the teachers can make a HUGE difference with how comfortable you and your kids will be with the program if it's your toddler's first time in that type of setting. My guys started in one class and I wasn't happy with the teacher so I had them switched to a new class with a teacher that we absolutely love.

I signed my boys up for M-W-F next fall even though I'll only need to work M-W. I really like the teacher in the 3 day class so I figure I can send them some Fridays and keep them home some Fridays, depending on what we have going on.

One option for you would be to sign them up for the 3-day program and just not send Kevan on one of the days if he has scheduled therapies. I know it's more $$, but if it's something you can afford then it may be a good solution. It also may take them a shorter time to adjust to being in preschool if they go for more than just 2 days a week. I used to teach preschool and it seemed like my 3 day class adjusted so much faster than my 2 day class.

Good luck with your choice!

Carrie