Learnings Options

I assume you thought he was going to go to Kindergarten? It's really tough. We are both working parents, and have the same problem, we teach so we make too much money to get certain services, but not enough to take on the additional expenses that preschool/private school require. I just thought I'd share my frustration-you are not alone! I will say, as a teacher though, it will far more benefit your son that he will not start school a year earlier. In my 12 years of teaching, more boys that start the year at 4, rather than 5 have more difficulty-even if they come in reading. It will be hard this year, but I think in the end it will be better for your son. GOOD LUCK!

hi D.,
it makes me crazy that law enforcement officers, so vital for our society, are paid so little and treated so poorly.
even with crazy hours and not enough time with your little one, you can really set up his environment and your precious time with him so that it's productive. i'm not talking about formal lessons or flash cards which would stressful for both of you, but a relatively simple change in perspective that provides all the enrichment and satisfaction that you and he both need. obviously you can't homeschool with your schedule, but that doesn't mean that learning isn't taking place in your home. everything good parents already do is simply homeschooling with awareness. give him manipulatives rather than passive toys. replace mindless videos with bill nye the science guy. make casual note in your daily interactions of educational opportunities, eg 'let's count the banana slices we're putting in your cereal', 'let's go for a ride in the C-A-R car!' and so forth. even in a non-academic daycare you can turn a review of his day into gold, counting kids or snacks, discussing breaches of etiquette and examples of good citizenship, and it's fun! don't turn it into a drill session, all you have to do is have an attitude of awareness and you'll be amazed at how many simple routine daily tasks become a wealth of opportunity.
you have to actively get in the way of kids' learning. he really won't miss out on a year of learning, and you can make this a rich and full experience for him, without spending an extra dime or exhausting yourself. you really can, i promise you.
khairete
S.

Hi D.,

Have you tried a daycare program that offers preschool? I am not sure where you are but my daycare provider is certified to teach preschool. You might want to try a different provider if yours doesnt offer it. My daughter just turned 2 and she is beginning the preschool activities in the fall. Ask around or go on line to the dyacare provider website and look for "in home" providers that offer it. If it is not specified on the website ask them:)
Good Luck!
D.

D.,

I very much agree that no child that has been exposed to school before the age of 5 should have to skip because it costs too much. There should be a program no matter where you are that at least helps pay the costs. The unfortunate thing is that the smaller towns cannot afford such programs and their cutoffs for "Making too much money" are lower than the bigger cities. My daughter was diagnosed with autism at the at of 2, so we've been blessed that she is able to go to school for free for the past 2 years because of her special needs. There is something you can do though. You can do up a petition to take to the school board. You and other parents like you in the area can petition the school board to provide a program to help the preschool age children continue their learning and help pay for it for those already struggling in this world. Hope this helps. God Bless.

My husband and I both work full time 7 days a week, EVERY WEEK, no vacation... EVER (except, christmas day, thanksgiving and easter day). We have four children 6,4,2 and 1. We work so we can switch-off who is at home with the kids. That is how we dealt with "childcare". When he's home, I'm at work and vice-versa. We make barely enough money. Free childcare has NEVER been an option for us. And we will NEVER be able to send our kids to private school although I would prefer that. You were lucky to have the free daycare at one point.

Oh, and as for their early education, my husband and I taught them everything a pre-school could offer when we were home with them, and my daughter was the top in her kindergarten class because of the early education we provided her previously.

Work with what you have and move on. We've had to give up a lot ourselves. I'm sure there's another arrangement or sacrifice you can make. There are others less fortunate.

We are in the same boat. Because we live in an "economically disadvantaged" area, all of the preschool seats are filled with kids "more needy" than ours. While in other districts in the same county, people who make more money than us are getting their kids free into better schools! Burns you up, doesn't it. We are spending over 5000 dollars to send out son to Catholic school, not including the cost for after care. I had to return to work to pay for it.

I can't really offer any advice, but doesn't it burn you up!!! I just wanted you to know that you are not the only one! I try to placate myself by just thinking that I wouldn't want my kids in there with those unruly kids anyway, but it does make me mad. Grrrrr!

I don't know how things are in MD, but here in VA, we pay for pre-school. I paid for all my children, even when we didn't have two dimes to scrape together (in fact, one didn't even go one year), and now my grandchildren also pay. I'd say you were lucky before and didn't know it!

PS - I don't mean this to sound flip - it's just true.

Here's my opinion, but keep in mind I'm biased.. :)

See if you and your husband can work your schedules so someone is always home with the kids. If you can do that, then HOMESCHOOL! It's so easy and they get a far better education that even most private schools can provide.

I homeschool my kids (7&2). My oldest and I spend maybe 2-3 hours per week on formal lessons (and that's only when he asks a complicated question) and he still scored, on average, 3 grade levels above his public schooled peers on the standardized test I have him at the end of the year. You don't need a ton of time, you just need for one of you to be able to be home with them. You can use any activity to teach your children. I use housework all of the time, plus the usual family stuff like grocery shopping, cooking and baking, yard work, camping etc.

This way you save on education expenses and childcare expenses...and who knows, after you've been doing it for a little while and saving all of that money, you may find that one of you will be able to stay at home permanently if you want.

This is one option, and it sounds like you may be ready to consider it.