preschool

iVillage Member
Registered: 04-21-2004
preschool
19
Sun, 08-29-2004 - 8:34am
Ok, I need some feedback on a problem my husband and I have been mulling over. Here is the situation. My husband works full time at one job and also has a part time job that he adores. It is in a field he has been going to school for, and they also just told him they would like to bring him on full time in october. I am totally supporting him in the decision to take it. It is a great job and one that he always dreamed of. So, that means we will take a small pay cut there. (because he will only be working one job...) So we have been working like mad to take care of any extra bills we can now in order to prepare.

Now, for me. I work from home about 30 hours a week and also go to the office for another 5-10 hours. We also have a 2 year old daughter. I don't have a sitter. I work all those hours with her napping/playing/ or in the office with me. We have recently been accepted at a local preschool. It is $128/month. But, the classes are only tues and thurs from 9:00- to 11:30. It seems a little pricey, but I feel that I am cheating her if I don't signe her up. I have her in playgroups and I be sure and take her to the park and play with her at home and do things with her. But do you think a 2 year old needs preschool? Alot of people tell me she needs it because she is always with me. That she needs some time away from mom, but isn't that what kids need most? time with their parents? I don't want to cheat her of an opportunity, but I also feel that if I don't need a babysitter/preschool, why send her? And that $128 is equal to more than what we spend in groceries a week and could also be a pretty big snowflake. I could also take that $128 and sign her up for a mommy and me art class that would last 2 1/2 months. What do you think? am I sacrificing her independence to pay down our debt?

kel

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Avatar for cl_beckymk
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-19-2003
In reply to: bookwormkel
Sun, 08-29-2004 - 9:26am

In my opinion, I don't think preschool is *necessary* unless there is some other need for it.

iVillage Member
Registered: 10-07-2003
In reply to: bookwormkel
Sun, 08-29-2004 - 4:36pm

2 year olds do not need preschool.

Pumpkin

&nbs

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-26-2003
In reply to: bookwormkel
Sun, 08-29-2004 - 6:47pm
IMHO-Kids don't generally need preschool unless they have some kind of developmental delay. If that's the case, have them evaluated by the public school system (beginning at age 3 through the child study dept.)and they go for free. I did this for my son because of a speech/language delay and he got a great start from "professionals".
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-26-2003
In reply to: bookwormkel
Sun, 08-29-2004 - 11:08pm

Our 2 1/2 yo dd is starting preschool in 2 weeks. It will be on Tues and Thurs from 9-11:30 and cost $76 a month. It is at our Church, which is right next to oldest dd's elementry school. There are several reasons we wanted to put her in preschool.


1) I work nights, and could use the extra nap on those days, Monday and Wednesday nights are my longest night.


2) She is behind in speach, but as smart as a whip, this school works with the school district and HACAP, which gets help for those with delays. Our oldest dd and I are undergoing testing for ADHD, looks like we both have it. Not sure about the 2 1/2 yo yet.


3) I want to volonteer in my oldest dd's classroom. Our school district does not allow younger siblings there while you are volonteering, dirupts the classroom.


4) I need some dental work done, and my dentist does not allow children while you are getting worked on. My dh just got a promotion at work and can't afford to take time off to watch her while I get work done.


We have no relatives here. They are in Kansas, we are in Iowa. Our regular sitter quit sitting, and she only did it on Friday/Saturday nights, so couldn't volonteer at oldest dd's school, or get dental work done.


We worked the cost of preschool into the budget at the beginning of the year. Having money taken out of dh's paycheck automatically and put in a payflex account. We send them the reciepts, they send us back the money.


She also takes gymnastics on Wednesday mornings for 30 mins....$6 a session. She is a little monkey and will climb, jump anything! LOL


~Q~

Avatar for mahopac
iVillage Member
Registered: 07-24-1997
In reply to: bookwormkel
Mon, 08-30-2004 - 9:19am
I think your instincts are right on target. Americans are way too eager to separate kids from their parents and foster "independence" rather than mutual interdependence. It is crazy!

As a mom of 3 kids (12, 9, and 4), I say do what you think is right. It sounds smart to me.

Kelly

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-27-2003
In reply to: bookwormkel
Mon, 08-30-2004 - 9:32am
My DD started preschool when she was two for she went mornings twice a week. (It is actually a program at a daycare center.) She absolutely loved it. Within a few months we signed her up for two full days because she was so upset about leaving while her friends were still playing.

DD is 3 1/2 now and will start 3 full days next week. It is a sacrifice finacially, but for me its worth it. DD is an only child and I think it has good for her to be around other children. When we pick her up, she tells us about her day, shows us what she made, teaches us new songs. She is happy, confident, independent and excited about "school." I just wish I could bottle all that for when she is a little older.

I work full time and my DH is SAHD who runs a business out of our home. It was very hard for him to leave her at school.

Bottom line -- only you know if it is right to send you child to pre-school. Each family and each child is different. Ask yourself how you if you would send her to school if money weren't an issue. If you think you would still have reservations, then don't do it. Also consider that $128 a month averages out to just over $5 per hour. Not bad for child care. Can you try it for a month and see if it is worth it?

Sandra
iVillage Member
Registered: 04-04-2003
In reply to: bookwormkel
Mon, 08-30-2004 - 11:26am
This topic could probably turn into a very controversial subject. Many parents believe in pre school at such an early age, but I am not one of them. I guess its each to her own. Personally, I do not believe that a 2 year old needs preschool. I've raised 5 kids, aged 21 to 10 right now, and they all did very well in school, and 3 are currently in college. The all attended pre school one year prior to Kindergarten. All have been at the top of their class, and well adjusted socially.

It sounds to me like you are doing everything right as it is. Your child has social engagements, and you are stimulating her mind. As for me, I would rather do the mommy and me art classes!

Lisa
Avatar for cl_beckymk
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-19-2003
In reply to: bookwormkel
Mon, 08-30-2004 - 3:10pm

I agree it *could* become controversial but I hope it will just be as civil as it has been as the pros/cons to each side...I agree with you to each their own for this!!!

iVillage Member
Registered: 05-30-2003
In reply to: bookwormkel
Mon, 08-30-2004 - 5:22pm
Personally, I'd say that you already know that you'd rather her stay with you, which is a good thing. I'd also like to add that it doesn't make you a terrible mom to not be so keen on preschool at 2, although you may feel that way.

I was/am a WAHM as well. But, we only have 1 DD (DH's other kids live with their mom), and I didn't take her to the playgroups, etc. We enrolled her in preschool when she was 3, and it was 2x/week for 2 hours each time. We didn't do this because we thought she needed to get the academics, we did it for the social stuff. She didn't interact with kids her own age very much, so we felt the $45/month was worth it-well, for the most part...Would I do it again? In a minute. However, if I'd have done the same thing that you're doing with the playgroups, etc., probably not. I taught her all the academic stuff at home, so that was good.

You may wait a year or 2 to see how it all shakes out and probably by then you'll be in a better financial situation so that the money won't be the issue.

Good luck with this-

Lisa :)

iVillage Member
Registered: 04-05-2003
In reply to: bookwormkel
Mon, 08-30-2004 - 5:43pm
You have gotten good advice so far from the others! I just want to add, or reiterate, to just go with your gut on this decision (I am a big fan of making all big decisions by gut instinct) Your DD is getting exactly what she needs, from you, her mommy. Would she have fun in preschool? Probably. Would it harm her in some way not to go to preschool? Nope! :o) It sounds like you are doing just fine the way things are. I agree with the poster who said that if you're having doubts at all, don't send her. Good luck with your decision!

~jennifer, who is a homeschooler and a little bit biased ;o)
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