Anyone not doing preschool at 3?

Question

I have been feeling pressure from friends to enroll in preschool, and we aren't going to. I feel like my daughter gets enough kid to kid interaction on a regular basis, plus we go to places (gym, church) that have child care and follow a format (sit at table for snack, etc.). The cost is a factor too. Anyone with me?

Answer

I’m a preschool teacher and I don’t plan on sending my soon to be 3 year old to preschool. Especially if your child has plenty of peer interaction. There’s more to preschool than peer interaction. Such as teaching structure and routine, and teaching through play. Which can both be taught at home. Preschool’s great and fun, but it’s not going to make or break your child. I think part-time preschool 2-3 times a week can be very good for pre-k (4-5 years old) to prep them for kindergarten. But in my opinion, under 4 years old would just depend on if you and your child would enjoy it (or if childcare was a necessity). If you both prefer to be home, just enjoy being home. Because those years go by quickly!

Answer

We are not doing preschool.  There’s no public preschool here and most of the preschool programs are at daycare so it seems silly to send her to daycare when I’m home.
My older children also didn’t go to preschool.  Kindergarten was a really tough adjustment for them because they started as full day, 5 days a week and they weren’t used to being away so long.

Answer

My only advice is to not skip preschool altogether and wait until kindergarten. I’m a kindergarten teacher and it is obvious who didn’t go to preschool, they are always behind in their social skills, independence skills, maturity and academic skills. They immediately start at a disadvantage.

Answer

I’m with you 100%!!! They are still babies! Why do 3 year olds need to be pushed into school already??!?!? I feel exactly the same way. I teach mine a ton at home through play and we get lots of social interaction with other kids. I didn’t put my oldest in until 4 years old either.

Answer

I'm not sure if I will send her at 3 or wait until 4, but 8 do plan on doing some kind of preschool at least part time. I don't want her to go from staying at home all day with me to kindergarten full time, seems like such a culture shock. I am also due with #2 in Aug/Sept this year, so it would give me some one on one bonding time with the new baby as well.

Answer

My son is not potty trained (one place near by insists on it to attend) but he will be going to a program that's 2hrs a week. He's still too immature,  a sweet little boy and im not interested in rushing him into growing up too fast.  If you're not doing prek you could consider a soccer class, library reading program or swim lessons, just something to socialize you'r little one without going back deep into it.

Answer

I think we’re going to wait until 4 for preschool. It will give us time to apply (and wait eternally) for head-start since we have extremely limited options in our area. There’s only one other official preschool, and it costs $400 a week. We aren’t at or below the poverty line, so it will take a while for us to get approved, if we do at all. I can apply for preschool at public schools when she’s 4.

Answer

I would just say make sure you are teaching them at home then otherwise they will be behind because as someone else said on here, things change! By vpk there are alot of things my daughter had to ‘learn’ if not, she wouldn’t have been accepted. She starts august for vpk and I’m glad she’s getting that chance so she’s prepped for kindergarten! But then again, it is income based and I only pay 30$ a month ..

Answer

I didn’t at age 3 and I wish we did,however, he did not have a lot of interaction with other kids and won’t learn at home as much as I think he will in school. It’s a personal decision for each family and do whatever works for your family. Good luck

Answer

My middle son never went to preschool just straight to kindergarten. He is now in 5th grade and in the gifted program. You know what’s best for your kid and do what you want to do who cares what others think

Anyone not doing preschool at 3?

Let's Glow!

The Top Baby Tracker App: Embrace New Beginnings with Tender Care

The Top Fertility Tracker App: Your Path to Achieving Pregnancy

The Top Pregnancy App: Nurturing Your Journey to Motherhood

The Top Period Tracker for Empowering Your Menstrual Health Journey