When Can I Put My Daughter in Preschool??

Most Montessori schools start at 2 and a half, some have a toddler room and others just have the preschool room (two years of preschool and the third year is kindergarten). Although they say three, always call and ask, often times there are two to three spots for two and a half year olds.

Good luck!

My son started just after his 3rd birthday and LOVED it! He's going back this fall- they don't start until Sept. The teacher that runs the program was a little concerned about him being so young, but said that if she didn't feel like he was ready/wasn't doing well, she would let me know. So far they have had nothing but good things to say. So, since he's only 3 1/2 I don't know what to tell you about later on, closer to kindergarten 'cause we're not there yet either! He's going to have 2 1/2 yrs of preschool the way his birthday falls and the school deadlines.
Good luck--I bet she will love it!

I don't know where you live, but in the Indianapolis area there are many co-op and Church pre-schools that have classes for 2-3 year olds.
My 2 1/2 year-old grandson will attend such a class this year.

My son will also be 3 in November :) I have him enrolled in Minds in Motion in Springboro. He is going to the toddler group which is ages 18 months to 3 years old. I figured since he will be in preschool for the next three school years(due to his late birthday) to start him off slowly. I know they have a two day a week program if they are potty trained. Our son is almost potty trained but not completely there yet. The school told us that he may be able to move up after he is completely potty trained and there is a spot available, but for now, I think one day a week would be a nice start. Good luck :)

I am not sure what pre-schools are in your area. Polly Panda used to be quiet good as is Kinder-Care. I would check first with some of the local churches in the area, often they have very good pre-schools there.
Yes, she is old enough at 3 to go at least a few days a week. Many children start going younger when they are younger than she is.

I live in miamisburg as well. my kids go to christ church united methodist church during the summer - it's right next to the fraze. it's actually just a daycare but you can pick your own hours and we just do it a couple hours a week for the socialization. during the school year, the kids go to south park united methodist preschool - right across from UD. theirs is actually a preschool program that starts at age 2. we love both those places, and they're reasonably priced!

i dont live there, im in ohio..but my daughter was ready at age 3 and she was able to go. It was great for her...she is now 4 and will be in preschool again. B/c of preschool she is able to write her name,and do many other things. This year they will really prepare her for kindergarten...shes excited!

Hi J.,
My daughter will be 3 in November as well and is potty trained. Yehhh!!! Anyway we live in Indy but my daughter goes to Kindercare. I know it's a national school so hopefully there is on in your area. Their classes are set up by age. She is in Discovery preschool now for 2 year olds. She will start preschool the day after labor day. Preschool is for 3 & 4 year olds. I really like their program. She started there at 18 months and has always loved it. The teachers at our school are really good. I would check them out. I would also look at other daycare centers and churches. Just make sure they follow a curriculum. Ask if you and your daughter can visit and spend time in the classroom she would be in. If they say no then you know that isn't the school for you. Good luck!!

I don't live in Miamisburg to recommend a preschool but I do know most preschools start at three and follow the school district they are in for the cut off age (ie. 3 before Aug. 31 or whatever). With that said, many preschools do have a two year old program and/or a moms day out kind of program that you could check into.

We had an in-home babysitter for the first 2 years of our son's life and moved to a conventional Day Care last year for both of our kids - best decision we made. It's like sending them to preschool. You can do 1/2 days, 1 day per week, etc.
Our 3 year old has become SO much more social, knws is letters (verbally and visually). They have a set cirriculum.
Most preschools do require potty-training. Unless they have a class designated for your daughter's age, there may be big differences in capabilities with older kids.
Good luck. We certainly found a great place (Stoney Creek Play School in Noblesville) and would recommend them to anyone.

She is not too young. Many preschools around here have 2 year old classes (for the kids who are 2 as of Sept 1 - the school cut-off date).

Decide if you want a preschool or a daycare-type place (that sometimes call themselves preschools). A preschool more-or-less follows the public school schedule - summers off, christmas break, spring break, etc. There's a set schedule each day and everyone arrives and leaves at the same time, and the entire class moves 'up' at the same time -- when school starts in the fall. The children in the classroom are the same everyday there's class for the entire school year - which is great for developing and maintaining friendships.

The daycare type places are open all day so parents are dropping off/picking kids at random times throughout the day. Kids go year-round and usually switch classrooms on their birthdays instead of all at once. There isn't as much stability in the classroom because kids are coming and going at different times, and on different days.

My son went to St. James Preschool. This is a great preschool and I would recommend it. He was home with my mom while I worked, and going to preschool a couple a times a week really helped with his social skills.

My suggestion is that you call the Resource and Referral Agency for your county. They can do a data search within your area and provide you with that list. You can then visit, do interviews and find the best fit for your daudgter.

My granddaughters live in California and in their area if they aren't put in preschool by 2 year old they don't get in. Like your daughter they are well advanced and I don't think neither of the girls were potty trained at the time. The oldest is 6 and going in to first grade and the little one is in her second year of preschool and doing wonderfully. I would find a good preschool and just being with other kids helps the child in many ways. Good luck to a Good mama and little one.

My older girls have November and December birthdays and they both had to wait until they were almost 4 (School starts in September and they turned 4 a few months later) before they could start preschool. Same for Kindergarten, they were closer to 6. IDK if the rules are per school district or statewide or what, but here (Toledo, Lucas county area) they have to be 5 before school starts.

Another option you have is an educational day care center. This will give her a "leg up" with social behavior even before preschool.

I would have your daughter tested by the local schools, then you may qualify for a free preschool. I have done this twice both in WI and here in OH and am happy with FREE preschool.

She is ready. Just check out the phone book. Surly you've got a few to pick from. My sister's kids always and she too likes the ones ran at the Y.
C.