Preschool for Stay at Home Child

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cherrydarling
iVillage Member
Registered: 11-26-2007
Preschool for Stay at Home Child
8
 Fri, 08-19-2011 - 4:41pm

Okay, I may be jumping the gun here (my baby is 3 months old), but I'm starting to wonder about how to find the right preschool for her when the time comes. She will primarily stay at home with me until kindergarten, but when she becomes interested in being around other children her age, I want to send her to a day program part-time. Any advice on finding a program like that? I have no idea where to start!

Thanks!

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mom2boys0204
iVillage Member
Registered: 10-15-2001
In reply to: cherrydarling
Re: Preschool for Stay at Home Child
 Sat, 08-20-2011 - 8:23pm
Our area has limited preschools, most people are lower income and qualify for programs through the school system. But some of the churches in the area have preschools, also the community college has a daycare program and preschool programs. I'd look up preschools in the yellowpages and see what comes up and your local school should also be able to give you a list of programs in your area. I will say sign ups tend to be early, like March-April, so don't wait till June to think of signing her up.
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jenastar
Community Leader
Registered: 09-07-2000
In reply to: cherrydarling
Re: Preschool for Stay at Home Child
 Mon, 08-22-2011 - 11:49am
Lucy is starting preschool this week. It's for 2.5 hours twice a week. She's 3. Next year, she'll do 2.5 hours per day three times a week. After that, she'll be ready for kindergarten. Most of the preschools in our area have programs similar to this. Lucy's preschool is at the same Catholic school that Ian attends.

A lot of churches and day care centers offer preschool programs. There are also other kinds of preschools. I think that the best reference is other parents. I would get involved in the community (moms' groups, library activities, etc.) and ask other parents in the area.

Preschool definitely isn't a necessity. You'll get a better idea of what DD will need as she gets older.
jenastar
Community Leader
Registered: 09-07-2000
In reply to: cherrydarling
Re: Preschool for Stay at Home Child
 Mon, 08-22-2011 - 11:50am
Oh, and we will be paying $105 per month for this year. It was $95 per month for the 2 day program when Ian attended.
cherrydarling
iVillage Member
Registered: 11-26-2007
In reply to: cherrydarling
Re: Preschool for Stay at Home Child
 Mon, 08-22-2011 - 11:58am
Thanks jenastar! My baby's name is Lucy too. You have such good taste!
mom2boys0204
iVillage Member
Registered: 10-15-2001
In reply to: cherrydarling
Re: Preschool for Stay at Home Child
 Mon, 08-22-2011 - 12:09pm
Wow I didn't realize how much more time they spend in the at school program. Luke will be 4 in Oct so he could start K next year but he's going 3 hours a day 5 days a week. They even started a full day program this year which doesn't really seem like preschool to me.
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littlebaker5
Community Leader
Registered: 05-04-2011
In reply to: cherrydarling
Re: Preschool for Stay at Home Child
 Tue, 08-23-2011 - 9:14pm

I would start by seeing what programs are in your area -- as a PP suggested, the phone book is a great resource!

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trixie_1210
iVillage Member
Registered: 08-02-2010
In reply to: cherrydarling
Re: Preschool for Stay at Home Child
 Wed, 08-24-2011 - 9:08am
DD is 4 and DS is 3 both go to preschool at local church. DD 3 mornings a week and DS 2 mornings a week. The school has something called mother's morning out. They start with 6 month olds for an 1 and 1/2 hours once a week. I wish I had done it to get my kids started so the transition to preschool would have gone smoother.
cherrydarling
iVillage Member
Registered: 11-26-2007
In reply to: cherrydarling
Re: Preschool for Stay at Home Child
 Wed, 08-24-2011 - 10:00am

Yes, that is my concern as well. I want the process to be as gradual as possible. It's just the two of us at home together during the day, which she loves. I take her to Gymboree a couple times a week, which helps, but she is still quite "sheltered." I just don't want her to be one of those kids you can't hand to someone else or they'll freak out.

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