Preschool?

MyLuvBugs wrote: Is 2 1/2 too young for preschool do you think?

DH and I want to get Lorelei into preschool next August, but she'll only be 2 1/2 and most around her don't accept kids till they're 3..... But then again we might not be here next year...

Have any of you sent your little ones off to preschool that young???

Kaitlin'smom replied: I could have but I was not ready, nor was she. Kaitlin started just after she turned 3 and was board at the sitters. She is in pre-K now and LOVES it.

PrairieMom replied: I had the boy in a type of preschool program for 2 year olds last year, It was a pre-preschool geared for children that need socialization. It was great for him, and he loved it. This year he is 3, and has graduated to reagular pre-school.

Maddie&EthansMom replied: I started Maddie at 2 and Ethan at 2.5. Ethan has taken more time to adjust, but it only took him a couple of weeks and he was fine. He goes twice a week. They do lots of fun things and he has already learned so much and has grown up a little, too.

Boo&BugsMom replied:
Depends on the child. If he gets enough socialization outside of the home he may not need it yet. If he doesn't, it's never a bad idea to send him somewhere a couple mornings a week. You can also look into structured daycare centers. Most, the good ones anyways, will have a preschool curriculum in the mornings in each classroom.

luvmykids replied:
When I had the twins in daycare it was an awesome program...not quite schooly like preschool but it did have definite "learning" times/activities. TBH if we were still there I would have kept them there until Kindergarten.

mommyofpremitwins replied: That is where my 2 little ones are right now. They just turned 3 the month that they started. They both love it. My son has special needs so he gets his own teacher and I was most worried about him but he loves it. They are so proud of all the art work they bring home. I think it is great for them. I noticed that my daughter has started to talk more and not be so shy. It is a great thing in my opinion.

C&K*s Mommie replied: I think it would be a great idea.

mysweetpeasWil&Wes replied: I think it just depends on the child. We have friends who's daughter just started preschool and she just turned two last week. I'm probably going to wait until Wil is four, only because most schools want them potty trained and I don't think we will be there until three or maybe even later (not sure). And he's pretty behind as far as his speech, so I don't want to push it too soon. I know that preschool may help with the speech, but I have him in a lot of other programs to socialize him. Moms group, playgroup and mom's morning out. Anyhow, do you guys have a mom's morning out program anywhere in town? Ours are always at churches. Wil goes once a week for three hours. They sing, do a craft, have a snack and play. So far he likes it. But putting him in more days than that right now just seems like a little much for me. I would just be careful that the school is not overly structured. I've heard kids can get pretty burnt out pretty fast. JMO.

MyLuvBugs replied:
It's mainly for socialization that I want her to start so young. We have been asked to join a play group, but the lady that asked us never told us the dates and times that they meet, so we're still waiting to do that. But Lorelei really needs some socialization with kids her own age. She's already learning her numbers and letters....smart little booger . So, I'm not too concerned with her preparing for school just yet. LOL We know we don't want a "day care" type environment, but something a little more structured but not full on school with lessons either. KWIM? Hopefully, we can find something around here in the next year.....

mom2my2cuties replied: I was thinking I might put Andy in one after she is potty trained for 2-3 days a week so I can have time to go to the doctor, run errands, clean house etc.

Boo&BugsMom replied:
Please do not think that just because it's a full day childcare center that it can not have a structured learning and social environment. Too often people have that stigma attached to it and there are wonderful small daycare centers out there that I would put my child into just for socialization and preschool. The only difference in the full day centers is that you have more full day kids because of working parents.