Advice on Whether to Put My Son in Private Kindetgarten or Public

Hi Y.,

I am a teacher, and I must admit I do think it is a better idea for the kids to go to the school that they are going to go to for first grade for kindergarten. Sometimes, even though the daycare may be a wonderful place, they are too comfortable there and don't take kindergarten seriously. It feels more like a home environment then a school environment. Then they do have big adjustment issues when they go on to first grade. I can only speak to what I have seen in the district where I teach. Good luck, I completely understand the importance of convenience when you are a working mom, I just thought I'd let you know what my experience is.

My cousins have had their children stay at their montessori through kdg and then move to the public school in first grade.

I have to say they are the most adjusted little kids you could find. Fabulous.
And if it makes life a little less stressful for all involved, do it.

Think about how much easier the whole household feels when you can remove just that little bit of stress.

Good luck

Hi Y.,
I have two sets of twins and am a full-time first grade teacher, so I feel I have a little insight for you! If the preschool thing went so well for all of you, I'd stick with that for the full-day kindergarten. First, your child get all-day K, which is a great thing. Second, it will be a lot less stressful for you and your family. Transitioning to first grade at a public school will be fine. Your child will probably be a little ahead academically and will most likely be able to make that adjustment to a new school just fine. I seem to have a couple of kids every year that didn't go thru our kindergarten and end up doing just fine. It's the ones that come from the Montessori-type places that seem to have the most problems adjusting, in my opinion. I'm sure it will all work out well since you seem pretty level-headed yourself!

I would go for the private all day kindergarten if you can afford it. My son did the private full day kind. and then went to a public school and did just fine. He was ready for the full day. My son was in sports so got to meet some kids that way which helped him adjust. Kids that young usually adapt to any situation. If the private school is easier for you, then do it.

I vote for option 2 also. I have two sons. I got divorced years back, moved to an apartment extremely close to the home we left so I wouldnt have to change their lifestyle and found that we ended up changing schools anyway in fact several times due to geographical school district issues. Such as I was about two inches away from their line. At any rate the point is children at that age adapt. My boys were about the same age as yours at the time and they also went on, particularly the older one to attend about five different schools within the two towns we lived at the time. It was all location problems beyond our control. First grade will not be an established routine any more different than the changes that could be faced when children enter middle school and highschool. As long as he feels secure and loved at home he will head into the world enveloped with that and raring to go. Of course there are always other issues in life or changes in personality, but that can happen whether someone stayed in the same school for twelve years or switched every year. He will be fine.

ONe of my girlfriends experienced that exact same scenario. She did not move her older daughter and still regrets it. She is struggling with learning gaps - things that were covered in K that she missed because she was at daycare K. Her second daughter - she made sure she moved her right to start K. Every kid/school is different, but she really thinks it had a negative impact on her daughter.

Normally, I would say if the public school has a good program, go with that. But because they do not offer full-day kindergarten, that changes your options. I had the same problem as a full-time working mom when my son was that age and it was AWFUL to deal with.

Since you love your day care so much and know and trust the teachers and since your other girls are already there, I think you should skip the hassle and effort you would spend going back and forth getting kids from different locations, and not bus your son during the half day.

As long as your daycare has a good kindergarten program that is meeting all the state requirements and your son is active and involved, I don't think he will have any trouble transitioning next year. First grade is a big change and adjustment for any kid- but it sounds like your son would be fine.

In your case, the cost of the private kindergarten will pay off in peace of mind having all your kids in one place that you already like and trust!

Do what works for your family. plenty of kids move in and out of districts over the lifetime of a school expereince. In my expereince, he will not be the only new kid in 1st grade.

Just be sure to take some time to do a summer learning bridge workbook between schools. It will help level the academic playing field. You can find the books easily at BORDERS

I was in the same situation and went with option 2. I felt that full day Kindergarten with kids that have been known for a long time was better than 1/2 day at the public school and 1/2 day in daycare. My child transitioned easily to public 1st grade. One suggestion is for you to see if there is an activity your child can do next year that would give him the chance to meet future classmates, like scouting or park district sports. See if your neighbors know of any kids your son's age so that you could have a couple of playdates so he knows someone at his new school when he starts 1st grade.

Hi Y.,
Both programs can be really good, you just have to find the right one. If you choose public, check out the Chicago Public Schools website or call and they will let you know which schools have half-day or full-day care. The key to your child's success is you. So no matter what school you put him in, you have to make the difference.

All the Best!

I don't think you should be too worried about your son making friends even if he starts at a new school starting in 1st grade. My niece did your option #2 and started 1st grade this year without any problem. But one word of caution: I do have a friend that went that route with her daughter and she felt that her daughter was a little behind academically when she started at the new school. I think that some places are great at being a daycare but not necessarily great at teaching. So, just check out their program before you make a commitment. Good luck!

Mine was 6 on Sept 1st. I started her in school after spring break that year. She ended up needing summer school because of me not being able to part with her...my fault. Summer school was great and she was an honor roll student all the way thru school. By the way, she was put right into 1st grade after that summer school so she never missed being with her neighborhood friends and never had a problem otherwise. hanks to GOD. Merry Christmas mommy.

stick with option 2, the one you like better.
We switched schools after my daughter finished Kindergarten and my son finished first grade.
They made friends in no time in their new school,at this age is really no big deal.

Y., Go for the full day at the private school. Then when he goes for 1st grade at the other school he will already but used to a full day. In the grand scheme of things kids won't be in the same classroom from kindergarten on. So he will be with a bunch of new kids anyway. Better to move him in 1st grade than the middle of say 6th which is a much harder transition. good luck
S.

I personally put my daughter in a private school for pre-k (half day program) and then full day kindergarten. I actually had no intention of leaving her in the private school, but she loved it so much that I ended up leaving her there. She's been quite happy.
In terms of switching schools though, it shouldn't be hard at 6 to adjust to a new school. I switched schools in between kindergarten and grade 1 without a problem. Just explain it to him as a new adventure in a new school with the chance to make some new friends. He'll be fine as long as you portray it to him as a good thing and not a bad thing.
Good luck!

Are you planning on sending him to private school for first grade? or are you planning on public school for first grade? Which ever you are planning to do for first grade is what you should do for kindergarten.
You do know that kindergarten is not required and you could just keep your son home and educate him at home.
We put our son in private school in PreK - 6th grade. Home schooled 7th and 8th, then he choose to go to public school of high school for the sports and music. It worked out great for us. He was home with us during 2 of the hard years 7th and 8th, by high school he was very secure with every part of his life so high school went well for him.
My 2 cents is think about what you want your child to do for first grade and do the same.

Our oldest daughter went to private kindergarten last year. It was in the same building as where she went to preschool, and also where her younger sister was going at the time. This was a great experience for us due to a couple of reasons:it was a great place (christian environment too) that she was familiar with; lower child/student ratios; one pick up and drop off for us; our daughter has a late August birthday. Pluse there are a whole host of other wonderful things that I could list. This year at first grade, the hardest adjustment that she had to make was to the actual 'public school system way of doing things.' I grew very accustomed to feeling like my child was special and that I could approach the teacher for anything. Our daughter had bullying issues by another new student at the very beginning of school...and I felt it hard to talk to the teacher. In terms of her adjusting to the routine of school it was very easy. I was concerned about the rush of a typical lunch time in public school, but it all worked out. She made friends very easy, and that was great. Hopefully some of our experiences may give you some personal insight into you own familiy's situation. Good luck!

In this area many children stay at daycare for a full day kindergarten and then switch to public school for first grade. When my son was in first grade at least two new children came to the school from private kindergartens. It happens often and she won't be the only one. I honestly wish I had done it that way. Half day kindergarten was not enough, in my opinion.

Dear Y.,

I have a friend who did this with 2 of her 3 kids. The oldest two started at private school and she just moved them this year to the public school. Her son was in 1st grade and adjusted just fine (and he has mild transition issues). Here daughter was in 3rd grade and she did great with the move (she played soccer with a couple kids who are in her grade at the public school and she is a social kid). Lots and lots of kids move around in these grades so it should be ok, just do what you think is best for your family and it will be best decision.

D.

My son went to private, full day kindergarten and then started public first grade this year. He's had no problems at all with adjusting. They learn the school routine so quickly that I don't think it matters for more than a few days. And he had no problems socially b/c I don't think they've formed hard and fast "cliques" yet at this age. Really, the only thing he needed to adapt to is that he was really ahead of some of the other kids in terms of learning - since he basically had twice as much kindergarten! But they work that out early too, by splitting the kids into different groups based on ability. All in all, I would definitely do it again - and most likely will with my youngest. Good luck!

HI mom it depends on what they are teaching at the daycare, my child what to a daycare kindergarden and that was great no problems when he went first and I think you should have him stay where he's at sound good to me and if your talking any thing about CPS they are not the best. good luck

I vote for keeping where he is for the full day kindergarten program--that seems like it would be the easiest and less disruptive to your family.
As for him adjusting in first grade--I'm sure he'll be fine. You said he is a social kid. The classes will be rearranged from kindergarten, so all the kids won't know each other yet. And it's a lot easier to be a new kid on the very first day, then to have to come in somewhere in the middle of a school year.

I would choose number 2. Although he might take time, he will adjust to 1st grade once he enters public school. At a young age, they make friends pretty quickly. If your son is shy, you might be lucky and have a 1st grade teacher work with him to help him get to know everyone. You can let the teacher know this when he starts school. My kids transferred into public school in 3rd grade. They didn't know any of the kids and there was an adjustment period. But being young, and having great teachers, they were able to make friends pretty quickly.