When to Put a Child in Preschool?

M., everyday is an opportunity for your child to learn something new. And, the longer she/he is an environment that doesn't foster a classroom setting with sharing and following directions the harder it will be for the child. If you are not staying home with your child and have some one else taking care of her/him then a classromm setting is the preference. Remember - you will love your child no matter how she/he acts or interacts with others, but you need to raise your child to be able to loved by others. L.

Hi M.,

I have a 2 and a half year old daughter also, and she just started a 2 day a week "preschool." She is doing well, although we have had crying and still some reluctance on school mornings. However, she has only been with me to this point, so this is new for her. I am an educator, and I say that the earlier you introduce your child to "formal" education, the better. If your home day care is also child care (as in, you have to go to work), you may want to leave your child there until age 3, if you are happy and your child is happy there. If your home day care is more for your child's enrichment and your peace of mind, you may want to try a preschool. Most of them run in line with the regular school year, so they may have already begun for the year,but you still might get in. My older daughter was in "school" from the time she was 13 weeks old, since I had to go back to work at that time, and she did SO well. We shopped around for a great school for her, and she thrived. Anyway,, this is just one opinion! Let me know if you have other questions.

Nancy

I had my son in a home daycare until he had just turned 4. When he turned 4 I put him in the Georgia preschool lottery program. It was a good program for a low cost. He learned a lot in preschool. It worked out really well. I would not recommend keeping your child in an at home daycare past the age of 4. I hope this helps. M.

That's a tough one! I was lucky to have my mom in town when each of my children where born and she stayed with them until they were each about 1 1/2 yrs old. I put my first child into a home-run day care which did not work well for me, but when my daughter was 1 1/2 I put them both in a daycare center. I also ended up getting my mom a job at the same center which was great! I think it was very beneficial for both of my kids to interact with other kids and get used to a "schedule". Now my kids are 6 and 8 - and I wish I was able to spend more time with them at home. So - in the end, I wish I could have started out with a few days in a center and a few days at home - it gives both time together and time apart. Hope that helps!