Transitioning 3 Year Old from Daycare to Preschool

is it possible to find another day care facility that both can attend that focuses more on a curriculum? we've been very fortunate that our day care has a set curriculum each month, and our kids are very advanced for their respective ages (2 and 4) with knowing numbers, letters, colors, shapes, simple words, etc.

That way, despite having to make a transition, they're together, and you're not running all over the place.

Each kid is different. Our son moved to a new class at day care a few months ago and struggled for weeks with the transition despite being there for a long time. His little sister went into her new class without a peep. Different kids, different adjustment thresholds, I guess.

Good luck.
Here's an example of the curriculum at our day care.
http://www.theplayschools.com/page/173/Curriculum

have you visited with your daughter? my 4.5 yo will be starting preschool and is leaving her best, best, best friend and the day care provider she adores. but she is so excited because of the school which she has visited twice now and will visit at least once more. my daughter is a little older so she is able to identify the causes of her bittersweet feelings and talk about them. you might be surprised at what your daughter understands and the feelings she can communicate.

I agree with Dana W but if you have already decided and are happy with that decision I believe you will be fine. I do NOT suggest you stay with your daughter even one day. You won't be there everyday and the longer you hover, the harder the adjustment will be.

I actually just switched my 3.5 yr old daughter from an in-home daycare that she had been in since she was 8 weeks old. The best advice I have is that if you are comfortable with the new facility and are upbeat and encouraging, she will be fine. Take her there, if you haven't already, and let her check the place out and meet the teachers and other kids. I did that before I decided to switch and then just before the switch, she went for a little while and actually participated in the classroom setting. All was great...no problems at all!

Back in February I had actually started her in a part time preschool two days a week but they only run during the school year so we had to to drop her at daycare, have someone pick her up and take her to/from preschool and then back to daycare. It was a great preschool but a big hassle. She was a very young 3 year old then and because of that the teachers were concerned she would be upset at first but she was probably their most enthusiastic studen everyday. We were considering the fulltime switch in the fall but circumstances forced a change sooner but in the end I believe it is best for our daughter.

You may have more of a problem with your son not liking his sister leaving him so be ready for extra reassuring for him too.

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Talk up how she is going to "big girl school". Have her visit the facility and meet the teachers BEFORE the move so she can get comfortable. Good luck!

Good advice so far. I just wanted to add that the transition will be smooth or rocky depending on you. Your daughter is 3 and lives in the moment. She will transition pretty easily if you are not upset about it. Work on being excited and happy yourself and she will take the cue from you. Good luck!