Preschool- How Many Days of the Week for 2 Year Old?

I don;t think it is too much. 2 year old need consistancy any less and the separation axiety will be too hard for them to cope with.

My opinion... 3 days a week is not too much...but timing is bad. You should start her BEFORE the baby arrives. I had a baby in February and my 3 year old definitely went through an adjustment period (tantrums, not sure how things will be, etc...). So, to start her AFTER the baby is born, will definitely be another change for her that may be too much. She may think that because of the new baby now she is not wanted and taken off to preschool. I would start her perhaps 1-2 days a week well before the baby is born, and then increase it to 3 days a week after. Good luck!

The good news is that you don't have to send her all 3 days. If she enjoys it, which I think she will, let her go all 3 days. If she has a hard time, which I do not think she will, I would look somewhere else. If they are not giving her the busy entertaing time that she needs, it may not be the place for her. 3 hours really in not a long time, especially if you plan babys Dr. appt, and mommy Dr. appts during this time. Make sure when you talk about going to school you talk about it before the baby is here. Take her to see the school, have play time with her friends that are going and talk to them about it. Get her a few new things for school. Do all tis before the baby comes. Encourage family members who come to visit when the new baby comes if they want to bring a big sister gift to bring a going to school gift. This will help her not to think about the baby being the reason she is going to school. Kids are smart, but we can be smarter. Talk to her about school. Good Luck and Congratulations.

I had my 4 year old in an all-day, 5-day a week program a few months before I had the second baby. My oldest was excited about "going to work" and it gave me some much needed quality time with the new baby.

Because your child is younger, a 3-day a week program for a couple hours a day would be great...but try to start the process before you have the baby.

I think I would just keep her home with me unless you have a true need to sned her to daycare. At this age, there is really nothing more important than your time with her. It sounds like the other moms suggestions may have swayed you into enrolling your little one, but you don't have to do 3 days or any at all for that matter. Now is the time in her life that every moment counts, she is changing daily. You can never turn back the clock and get this time back. She has her entire life later on to be away from you, why now? She's only 2! With all the new changes at home, I would strongly suggest keeping her with you and your family, spend as much quality time together with her and not let others take that time or memories from you.... If you need a break, you could always do an occassional 'moms morning out' or the like. Don't fel pressured....follow your mommy instincts! I still don't understand why sending little ones away to other people has become the modern day thing to do. I enjoy spending the days with my kids on our own, with friends, at organized or unorganized events or places.... it's all good!

We sent my 2 1/2 year old to preschool 5 days per week (8:30 - 1:00). He loved every minute and so did the other 8-12 kids in his class. School just ended for the year and I cried. We cannot wait to send him back in the Fall. I think it depends on the child. Mine is very social, very active. When he is at home for long periods he is climbing the walls! Ok, not literally, and he is a good kid.... but he loves the social interaction. He learned all his letters, numbers in both english and spanish, colors, shapes. He loves to "read", knows how to use scissors, and can trace letters and do dot-to-dots! He is great when playing with other kids, and best of all - he is fully potty trained now, and it was EASY! The teachers are fabulous. So it depends on the kid, the school or program, and the teachers. Good luck!

I think you just see how she handles it. As far as just having a set amount of days for a two year, it is definately not too much. Only three hours a day, you don't have to worry. The only factor here that makes it iffy is the new addition so close to that time. Just see how she does! She might be coming home asking you to go more often, you never know! It might be a welcome break from baby for her. Tell her you are doing this as a treat for her for being so great with the new baby! You are letting go and have play time with friends. Don't worry so much about what she says when you talk about it. Judge more by how she is when you pick her up, is she happy and talking about her day or sad?

Some one said to you "if you are a SAHM why enroll her at all" Now I am not a SAHM, I work 40-60hours a week and I spend all of my time off with my daughter.

I love my daughter- she is smart, beautiful and I miss her so much while I work BUT

BUT sometimes I wish I had time to do what I want to do- a little ME time if you will.

Im 9months I have not had a single day of that. I've not slept in a single time, nor slept a whole night through (even if my daugher does - which is rare - I have to check on her b/c ima paranoid mama) I've not had my hair or nails done, I can't make it to the gym, etc etc.

All I do in the few minutes spare time i have is e-mail and mamasource for advice on my baby.

I don't know what it would be like to be at home with children all day and all night long every single day and frankly I don't intend on finding out.

Don't tell me I don't love my baby because I do- she is the most wonderful, beautiful thing to ever happen to me...

BUT don't tell me I don't deserve a break!!!

M.- this response is for all moms to read more specifically than a response to you.

HI-

I started my daughter at 2 1/2 days per week before she was two. By age two she was going 3 1/2 days per week. She loves it. If there is anyway you can start her BEFORE your baby is due, I suggest to do that. That way, starting preschool is not connected to the birth of your baby. That is what we did with my daughter and it has worked out great. School is now HER thing. It gives her something to own that she does not have to share with her baby sister!

:-)

Hope things work out well for your daughter!

I didn't send my kids until they were 3, and then I kept it at 2 days a week. They would have had a fun time at preschool, but in my opinion, they didn't NEED to be there yet. At age 2 I think they just need to play, and learn the kind of social skills you get from playing at playgroups or storytime at the library. Once they hit 3 I wanted them to start learning the social skills for school, and some basic preschool concepts (plus it's just fun for them.) I would say if you are feeling anxious about preschool, just hold off. Plus with a new baby coming...that's a lot of change to throw at a 2 year old all at once. Plus, logisitcally, I found that when we had a new baby in the house it was HARDER to have things (like school) where we had to be somewhere at a certain time and try to work around a newborns' nap. Best of luck on this tough decision!

J.

My daughter started out 2 days a week. I wish I could have put her in for 3(wait list) because she loved school. Even very early on when I would put her in a moms morning out 1x a week, she never seemed to care that I was leaving her. She is now going on 4 and is in school 5 days a week(I have Multiple Sclerosis so it is best for all if she gets her energy out with her friends). I agree with the other posts that it depends on the child. A close friend of mine tried to start with 2 days a week and the child freaked out. The school finally told her that her child was not ready for school. Now at 3, he is in school 2x a week and loves it. Give it a try especially with a baby at home, but still plan activities with Makayla just the 2 of you.

I agree with you, I think 3 days is too much for a 2 year old. I didn't put my daughter in any structured play times until she was 3 going on 4. And then it was 9am-12. Three days a week. You are right to feel she might feel pushed out the door with another baby coming. Always go with your gut feeling about your baby(to me a 2 year old is still a baby) Enjoy her while you can!

Everyone here makes great points so I won't repeat anything. I do agree you should try to get her into something before the baby arrives. Even if she doesn't have any issues with being away after the baby arrives, she may still have some problems transitioning to going to school. If the baby is not there yet, you may find it easier to help her get used to it.
If your preschool doesn't have any summer programs, see if you can find one that does or find a Mom's Morning Out where you can leave her once a week, then a couple of days a week to get used to being away from you.
Good luck!

I think it depends on your child. Some children have out-going personalities and love to be around others. Other children shy away from new situations and/or lots of people. I have two daughters, one is an extrovert and the other an introvert. So their reaction to school was very different. I think you should just wait to see how your daughter handles it, keeping in mind that she'll also be taking the lead from you - if you're apprehensive, she might be as well.

When you're used to your baby being with you all the time, three hours a day for three days a week sounds like a long time, but honestly, it's not. They have lots of fun in preschool and the teachers there will be better able to provide her with a lot more learning activities than you will, particularly because you will have your hands full with your newborn.

Also, if you're preschool's holiday schedule matches the school system's, I imagine she'll have quite a few Monday's off.

Hope this helps!

My rule of thumb was this:

If my child, at that age cannot look at me and express the thought of "...so and so looked at me funny..."...let alone ANYTHING worse...they were not going out of my sight. Period. You would be better off arranging play dates. Get involved with the Gymboree classes.

Nothing is easy with a new baby, believe me, I KNOW. But somehow I managed with my oldest in 1st Grade to be the classroom mom, at her school 5 days a week with a newbie that I was nursing.

Motivated Moms make it happen.

Good Luck

~K.

I don't get it. If your a SAHM why are you sending your daughter away at all? You can teach her everything she needs to know at that age. She needs to be there with you and the new baby. If you start her in day care now you may regret it the rest of your life. There is plenty of time for Day Care or schooling later in her life.