[Disneycrazed]

In the fall I would like to start Malea in Pre school. My DH is our stay at home parent so she has not been in day care or with a baby sitter as of yet.
For those of you that are stay at home parents do you have you child go to preschool part time? If so how many days or part days a week?

[lisam631]

My daughter started preschool this year after being at home with me for 2 1/2 years (home from China at age 11 mos).

She started with the 3 year olds instead of 4 year olds (even though she turned 4 a few months later) since she hadn't done anykind of school yet.

She goes 3, 3 hour days a week. Next year she'll go 5 days a week, but still 3 hour days.

Lisa
DD China 11/05
DS Guatemala 4/08

[melissa41]

We too want to start preschool this fall. The program we HOPE to get into is 4 days a week, 3 hours each day. DS is 2 and will be 3 in Nov. He loves to go to "school" at church (2 hours on Sunday) and we also do 2 MOPS programs (2.5 hours once a week). He goes without a problem for the past year. He gets excited when you say say we are going to church school or mops. I think it will be good for him to be around kids more frequently but if we don't get in, there is always next year.

[dutchmum]

Hello,

My son will be 2 years old in 2 weeks and about a months later he will be going to the International Preschool here in Holland.
It will be 3 mornings a week from 0900am - 1200pm.
I have the option to put him in 5 mornings, but i find that a bit much for him.

I do find it important that he receives some social interaction with other kids. Even though we are going to a playgroup once a week it is not the same as school.

I'm at home with him now, and loving every minute, but also need some ME time. Even if it is just doing the groceries by myself, or clean the house with no helper.

[mommyto2guatboys]

my son just turned 4, but he started school this year at 3. He goes 3 days a week for 2.5 hours, it's great and he loves it.

Magen
My family!

[DPline]

My bio son started preschool at age 4 (he had turned 4 just days before school started) and went 2.5 hours two days a week.

Daniel did 2.5 hours 1 day a week when he was 3.5 , and went to 2.5 hours three days a week when he was 4. He now, at age 5, goes every day for 3 hours. (Young 5's.)

Lauren started at age 3.5 (turned 4 in Dec. of that school year), 2.5 hours hours 2 days a week. She now at age 4/5, goes for 2.5 hours three days a week.

All three have/do go to the preschool that is associated with our public school. They offer 1 and 2 day a week programs for 3 year olds and 2 and 3 day a week programs for 4 year olds. All the 3 and 4 year old classes are 2.5 hours. This has been the right amount for my kids. I also figure they will be in full time school all to soon!

My bio son had a hard time that first year as he had always been home with me. Just me and him often when DH traveled a lot. Lauren did ok since I got her in a class with a best buddy that helped her be 'brave.' Daniel started his first day of school with a wave and never looked back!

[NeeNee]

Hi,

I teach Nursery School and two mornings a week for about 3 hours seems to be what most of my little ones can handle. Especially for those children who have never been away from their parents this is often all they can handle. At least in the beginning.

Good luck!

NeeNee

[becky]

I've been a preschool director for 5 years. When parents ask me my 'recommendations' I typically say
2 days a week for 2 year old
3 days a week for 3 year olds (if they went to the 2 year old program, if not, then consider just 2 days per week)
4-5 days per week for 4 year olds.

Each of these would be programs that are 3-4 hours long.

[dianneemily]

My daughter is 2 months older than yours. She goes 2 days/week (full days) right now.
My older dd went 2 days a week until this "school year" - since she will start kindergarten this fall, we started having her go 3 days/week to get her ready for school schedule.

I've been very happy with the 2 days/week schedule.

[Anne1377]

Hi Michele,

Annie had always been home with me but when she was three we started her in a prescshool program 3 days a week. She stayed at the same preschool when she was 4 years and went 4 days a week then. She absolutely loved her school and we are glad we sent her. We had thought about not sending her but that was just because I loved being with her and I knew I would miss her but we ended up doing the best thing for her by sending her!

Diane

[Disneycrazed]

Thanks for all the replies. There is a preschool information fair in a couple weeks at the library and we are going to go and get information on some different places.

[CEB]

Curtis is just a few months older than Malea and has not been in daycare either. He will be starting pre-school in September - 3 days a week for 2.5 hours/day. We had the option of 5 days a week but I thought might be too much for him. Next year, if we keep him in the same school it will be 5 days as that is their only option for 4 year olds. Good luck

[robandjulie]

I was home with DD (bio) until she was 15 mos and then went back to school so she was in 1/2 day daycare (about 3 hours; 5 days/week) with a preschool feel for about a year. Then we moved here and she was in another one for about 9 mos. When that shut down DH became a stay at home dad so she's been home with him and Jorge ever since.

DH will still be the SAHD but we're considering sending Katie to MSS preschool program in September. It'll be 5 days a week, 3.5 hours (8:15-11:45). We'll keep Jorge home for at least another year.

One thing to start getting that preschool environment would be to start attending more things like story hours or other age-appropriate activities to see how she handles following instructions ("sit on the mat and listen time" versus "work on this project in some specific ways time", etc). Even though DD's been home with DH for almost a year, we do Monday storyhours and Friday a 1-hour class at a My Gym (the one on Erie Blvd) just to give her some time to be with peers and learn to listen to other trusted adults.

[amyfk]

I have been a SAHM since my kid's adoption(home at ll mo). This year she turned three and is in preschool 2 full days a week. I was nervous how'd she do but she really likes the kids and her teachers! It was a win-win. She even got invited to a little boy's birthday party next month so that is good. I guess each child is different and you have to key off your kid, but in my case it worked.
Best,
Amy K, NJ

[My Isela]

My 3.5 year old just started pre-school last week. She didn't get to start last fall, because she wasn't potty-trained in time. She goes 2 days a week for 2.5 hours each day. So far, all is good. She was a bit nervous on the first day when she realized it was time for her sister and I to leave.....however, I kissed her good-bye and told her to have fun. She did great and was so happy when she realized we were actually there to get her after class was over.
This fall she will go to the same school, only they add one more day...she will be 4 by then. Sadly, I also have to think about getting my other daughter enrolled for fall....she'll be 3 by then and will go for 2 days a week.
Oh...the thought of both of my babies in school makes me want to cry.....where did the time go???