A girlfriend of mine needs some advice. She is looking into preschool for her son (he's 3). She found one that she LOVES. It has many enrichment programs, small class sizes and exposes them to so much. Art, music, science, etc. It is a really well known school as well, known for being so great and the 100% graduation rate (it goes through High School) and college placement. The thing is, is that it is almost $15K a year. She can afford this no problem and with no lifestyle change for her. She just doesn't know if that is necessary for a 3 year old. She is a single mother (her husband passed away) so the decision is up to her. She and her husband had always said they wanted the best education for their son as they could give him. But does that start at 3? She knows that once he is in Kindergarten and on, this is where she wants him to go, but that is 2 years away. I told her I would ask all of you wonderful mom's with such wonderful advice. Thanks a lot!
I actually think if she can afford it, then it is worth it. The love for school and learning starts early. And these early years are very important.
Early Childhood Education just wasn't that important to me UNTIL my son was in it. I figured that real education began around middle/highschool and the first 10 years or so was just "getting the basics".
At 3, I put my son in an amazing preschool for social reasons (he'd developed a fear of other kids)... and my mind exploded. We'd always done edu stuff at home (in my opinion the whole meaning behind life is learning and playing in the world), and education is hugely important in my family and my own mind... but I had really blown off early childhood ed. OMG... did THAT ever change. Personally I don't care *where* a child gets their education (home or away), but the FOUNDATION for loving learning, using those little brains when they're all primed for copying/language/fine & large motor learning, the daily successes... I could go on and on. Many parents do this at home (we were, just not with intent behind it), but many also don't (my neice and nephew for example). I've also found only SOME preschools really do this (the major difference between preschool and daycare).
I turned 180 when my son was a toddler. I can't imagine a single thing that's more important educationally speaking than early childhood ed. And the veritable *fireworks* that happen when a child is in the ideal environment.
So SHOULD she enroll in the preschool? Eh. 6 of one, half a dozen of another. He could learn brilliantly at home if she is willing to go to that effort... but it's a huge effort (speaking as a HS'er). For myself... if kiddo's preschool had gone k-12, we would have stayed there. Also, if I had more kids I would *absolutely* send them to this preschool before homeschooling in elementary. Not because I'm not capable, but just because it is SUCH an amazing school. So if she's got access to a similarly amazing school, I would at the very least recommend that she TRY it. But regardless... 3 year olds are reeeeeeally coming into their own in their explorations of the world. Waiting to do any kind of ed until 5 is rather heartbreaking to me. Not because the kids would be behind/ or not "prepared" (elementary teaches to the lowest denominator)... but because it's SUCH an amazing age that deserves the brilliance of the world for it's own sake.
one aspect may be getting in. starting pre-school there may hold the spot for that child in the K-12 program. it's something to consider if there end up being long wait lists.
other than that, i guess it depends what the alternative is. what do comparable preschools cost in the area? do the programs seem as high quality? (i do think quality counts, even for the little ones). actually, for the cost, she may find that the difference is actually not that huge.
I would recommend K-4 at such a school, but I really do not see the need for 3 year old preschool. They would basically be learning what K-4 is at a much slower pace with more breaks and activities. I do recommend K-4 because they usually begin teaching handwriting, phonics and even basic reading and math. They will repeat it all in the first 3 months of K-5 or Kindergarten but it will give them that much more time to catch on. That would be a lot really for a 5 year old to learn in 3 months and this is why I recommend K-4. Of course, 3 year old preschool may even give a bigger head start.
I normally would say no to spending 15K on a preschool...children can get those skills at a very inexpensive Mother's Day Out type program a few days a week.
BUT if this school is harder to get into later on, like they have a long waiting list for Kindergarten, but a guaranteed spot for those already enrolled in Preschool there...AND money is not an option...THEN go for it.
She would probably have to enroll him at 3 in order to ensure he would have a spot in kindergarten. Thats the way most of these private schools work, otherwise the child gets put on a waiting list.
I would say it's not necessary, but if she wants him to attend this school later on, she will likely need to get him in NOW or face a waiting list.
If she can afford it, then I'd say absolutely go for it! My daughter is starting K at a private school and now I wished she had gone there for preschool (even though she had a great experience for 2 years at the park district) because she would have been with the kids she'll be in class with for the next 9 years. Like your friend, I was drawn to this school for the amazing enrichment activities that (being a teacher myself) I know will be so beneficial.
