We sent my oldest and middle boy to two years of preschool. My middle child is in his second year of preschool this year - attending 1/2 day K next year.
My husband and I were talking about expenses, college savings, and monthly bills the other day, and I suggested that maybe we'd just send Rebecca to 1 year of preschool (saving $180 a month next school year) and we could dump that money into college savings for the kids instead. I was joking, but now I've been thinking about it...
When my oldest was 3, I had a toddler turning 2 and was pregnant/had a newborn. I did not have time to really focus on "homeschool" preschool. Then we just went ahead and sent #2 to preschool at 3 as well... we had a 1 year old and a new home and I was busy...
But next year I'll be home every morning with just my daughter - she'll be 3 turning 4 and will still have a full year of preschool the year she's 4 turning 5. I could easily cover any curriculum that 3 year olds get at preschool at home...
My question is, would she be "missing out" on something we provided for her brothers? I know she likes to have friends, and sometimes asks for playdates but that is something we could work on. I feel like if we skipped the expensive preschool, we'd have more funds available for college savings (put that money to work now) and also more time for other activities (gymnastics, swimming, dance - story time at the library, etc.)
Have any of you done one thing for one kid (or two) then switched it up for another?
My mom put both of my siblings through 1 year & i had 2 years because i my birthday fell after the cut off date for kindergarten, i think 1 year is perfectly normal especially if you have time to go over stuff with her at home. the only thing she will be missing out on is playing with kids which like you said can be fixed with play dates or going to the park, they learn all the same things weather its 1 or 2 years & with preschool its mostly just crafts anyway. A lot of kids never go to preschool before kindergarten & its just because its not really necessary.
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R.Y.
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New York
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My daughter is getting one more year of preschool than my older son. I took him to story hour and classes until my daughter was born then he went to preschool (starting at 3, a little over 2 school years). My daughter wanted to go to preschool because she went with me to get her brother every day and even though she is not 3 until next month she had a really easy transition and only goes a few days a week. It depends on what works out for you and your family. But if she doesn't get the extra year of school maybe put her in a class or 2 or take her to the free playgroups or story hours in your area. I think the most important thing with preschool is getting used to a classroom environment and socializing with peers--you have easily teach her basic letters and numbers at home.
The other question is if you are going to be disciplined about saving the money--if not, put it towards preschool.
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L.M.
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New York
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I haven't been in that situation. Both my kids did one year of preschool, it was 5 days a week for 3 hours a day. I think there are huge benefits to attending preK.
If I were in your situation, I would definitely go to preschool for only one year. Since you'll have some one on one time, you could teach her some of the things she'd be learning, and arrange for some social activities.
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J.M.
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Philadelphia
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wow i wish my pre-k was 180 a month, last year i was at 800 a month for 3 full days...ugh! anyway i think playdates would be fine and give you time with her that could never be replaced by anything else..and some time to get your undevided attention since she ussually has to split it
