Pre-school for a 2 1/2 Year Old

I would say that it would be better for her to go at least 2 days a week, but only if she's ready for separation from you. One day a week seems inconsistent.

Most schools have 2 days a week. Once a week I feel isn't good enough for a child to get used to.

I own and operate my daycare in Pompton Lakes. We also have a preschool and pre-k classes. For Preschool we have 2 days minimum.

If you live close to my area you can call me for a tour or you can visit my ____@____.com

Best of luck to you.

M. S.
Director/Owner/Teacher
Little Achievers Daycare/Preschool

I think that preschool is great at that age for socialization. I put both my children in at that age but when I did my first it was only 2 days a week and that was not enough to help him learn the routine. He cried all the time until I switched him to 3 days a week and then he got used to it quicker and adjusted quite well. My second went 3 days a week and had no problems even in the beginning.

I think your daughter will get alot out of the program even if it is for just one day. Separation may be difficult for both of you but it is valuable for your daughter to feel comfortable and safe in the care of others and reassued that you will return to her. Such wonderful steps towards building her confidence and independence.
Good luck with the decision!

I too have an only child and can understand your worries. This could be good for you both in terms of independence. Another option for ocialization and independence is to find a MOMS group in your area. She could be with otherkids and you can be with other moms and yet both of you are having fun. ANd the other benefit is that if you make friends with another mom, you can possibly share babysitting so you can get some you time.

Above all.. you need to take care of you first. If you need the 2 1/2 hours once a week.. then who cares what its called? That isnt a lot really.. but it is something

Hi C.: I think it is a good idea. It will offer her opportunities to participate inplay activiieswith other children her age, increase her independence, social skills and provide her with readiness skills. Some programs allow mother to participate as volunteers if you want to be around her and watch her adaptation. Try it and see how it works. You might be plsantly surprised and maybe add on an additional day. Good luck, M. P.

Absolutely! As long as it is a good problem this experience will be so good for her.

With all due respect, it seems as though you could benefit from this as well. I know it is hard to let go, but you must. This is a great way to start.

Good luck!

A.

Do whatever feels right for you. If you are craving more "me time" and need a little break AND if you feel the program has loving, caring teachers, then go for it. But at that same time, I don't think a 2 1/2 y.o. needs to be in some kind of placement if you and she are not ready for it yet. I have a three year old and I felt the same need for socialization for her at that age. But after touring some local preschools, I just felt like it wasn't quite right at the time. I ended up doing playgroups and music classes to expose her to other children while still keeping her with me. Now she is 3 and goes to preschool two mornings a week. I felt like 3 was the perfect time; she was ready, I was ready, and she seems to be doing well at her school.

Hi C. my name is K.. I have a 4 yr old that has been in pre school since 2yrs 10 months,his bday is 11-28 and he made the cut off. He loves it,he is now in pre k 4. I also have a 23 month old, he missed trhe cut off so he will not go to my other sons school until sept 2009, so i am going to enroll him in the gymboree learning lab in sept 2008 it is a seperation class i or 2 days a week. I am doing 2 days a week and it is about 500 for 10 weeks. And buy then my older son will be in school full days 5 days. So i can clean and food shop in peace, good luck

I'm going to be the odd one out here. At 2 1/2 preschool is just a fancy name for daycare, in my opinion. Children don't *need* socialization. They need their mom's. My children are 8,7,2,and 1. None of them have ever been daycare or preschool of any kind at that age. They are all completely social, friendly, and know how to act in any given situation. My 8 yr old went to preschool at age 4 because it was offered through the school and was 1/2 day for 5 days a week. If you want to keep her with you, then keep her with you. After all, you can teach her the alphabet, colors, and numbers yourself while keeping your favorite quality mom time!

C. and other SAHMs:
How would you feel about enrolling in a 8-10 week 2 or 3 day per week Mommy and Me 'Gentle Introduction to school' program where your child 18mo to 3.5 year old can learn to interact with other toddlers/young preschoolers in a small classroom setting for 1.5 hours and you have time to interact over coffee and bagels with other SAHMs or time to do some reading, paperwork or even have WiFi access to get some bills paid online. I am a Montessori toddler/preschool teacher who is starting such a program at home. Please respond to let me know what you think about the idea...

C., I don't think 1 day a week will do anything for the child, 2 day's will help her learn to be around other kids, the whole sharing, playing etc. I have 2 children 11 months apart and I DIDN'T want my son to go to a daycare. so I researched and found a school, that had nothing to do with daycare.I don't know where you live, this one is in Middletown, NJ. It's on a farm, they have animals, in the spring they do nature walks and they have a 2 1/2 year old program to start, which I originally was going to put my son in but he would have been the older kid in the class he was 3 at the time, so he went into the 3yr old program. My good friend put her daughter in the 2 1/2 class and Faith was shy and I stress was, She loved it, it gave her confidence to be around other kids. It's structured, it's just not playing and taking a nap. They do projects which (my kids love) helps with motor skills, the have circle time,days of the week, colors, abc's, they play and the best is that they make friends. I know seperation is hard, I cried the day I dropped my son off to school,and trust me so did he. But that was the first week, by the second week he just took off and said bye mommy see ya! He is now in the pre-k program and my daughter is in the 3yr old program where he was last year and she loves it, loves her friends!! First day of school she was so excited she just put her stuff in the cubby and forgot to say goodbye, I had to say can I please get a kiss goodbye. I was shocked, I was worried she was going to be a mess, crying & screaming but, boy was I wrong! so just give it a try, if it dosen't work out you can just wait and put her in the following year. Good luck with your decision.

I know that I am sending my daughter to a two year old program in september that has a 2,3 or 5 day a week program. she will be going 3 days. This summer the school I am sending her to has a one say a week seperation program from April till september.

I think the two year old programs are good cause it helps with the way they interact and they learn to play well with others.

Hi C.,
I am sure it will be some what beneficial for both of you, even though it is only 1 day for 2 1/2 hrs, it will give her time to socialize with other kids and adults and you being a SAHM it will give you time to do some errands or some Mom time to get your hair or nails done or what not....I know how hard it is to leave your daughter mine is 20months and I choose to go to work 2 days a week and I was bitting my nails the first day, but she is in a group daycare and did great. Hope this helped a bit.