Two Preschools for a Toddler, Too Much?

Would they be every day? Usually preschool is only 2 - 3 days a week. If that is the case, then no I don't think 2 schools is too much. If the classes are everyday, then yes I think it is too much.

When/where would he eat lunch? When would he rest?

Personally, I think 2 schools is too much. Unless you have an unusually flexible and easy going toddler. For my kids, I decided to do one preschool only starting at age 3. Then I dropped the early child ed program we'd been going to since birth. Though our schedule could afford both very part time programs (and I loved both) I just knew my child would be confused about why at one place you could take off your shoes, but the other, they must stay on. Different rules and routines would be too much.

Yes. Too much.
Send him to the school you chose.

Personally, I think it is too much, but you know your kid. My son's friend is in two and he does well, so it depends on the kid.

Does he have some kind of therapist that he sees for his severe cognitive and speech delays? Or a doctor? I would present all of this to that therapist or doctor and ask for advice. The therapist may say "I can't say yes or no" (because sometimes they are reluctant to give advice, out of fear they will be held responsible if things don't work), but you could try reassuring the therapist that you are just sincerely trying to find out if this schedule is too much for your son -- especially considering that he has these delays.

Even if he does not need a nap any more, doesn't he still need "down time" or "quiet time" to rest and regroup and just be quiet during the day? The world can be a stressful place for a child with delays and he might need down time each day.

Would adjusting to two different routines be hard for him with his cognitive issues? Each school will have its own way of structuring the time; its own way of getting students from activity A to activity B; its own rules and consequences for breaking them; and so on. Learning just one preschool's routines can be tough for some toddlers, but learning the routines at two different places may be a real challenge and might prove confusing.

Personally I can't see sending any child to two preschools, unless it was absolutely needed as, basically, day care coverage for a working parent situation. For a child with his delays, I coudn't see doing it at all. Definitely talk to his doctor or whoever diagnosed his delays. Would he be better off spending time in therapy rather than in a second preschool?

Also you should check -- Head Start may not accept him if he is also enrolled in another preschool. I don't know all the rules, but Head Start is a government program aimed at lower income families, and the rules may say that kids whose families can afford another program cannot be eligible for Head Start as well. Check first before you enroll him in either program.

I would definitely consider adding Headstart for next year if you are still in US then, but not for this year. He is still a little bit too young for hours like that, and just going to school at all may be a little bit traumatic for him at first since he hasn't spent much time away from you.

By the way, I follow your posts, and I think you are a great mom who cares for her son so much and wants what's best for him. I admire you for how you are tackling this challenge head on! Happy Mother's Day!

Too much, IMO. If he is a toddler, then he needs time to be a kid.

I would do 2 schools. I wish we had full day at kindergarten here we don't. My child is going to 2 schools but, they are half days so she goes 5 days a week. Extra activities after school is a long day but, She has homework and learns a lot and loves it. She talks about school all day when she gets home. Your child will be ready for kindergarten.
Some schools don't even give a pre k program.
Good Luck and think positive. In the long run it will work out.

9 to 4 is a workday for many adults. :)

Yeah, I think 'too much'. I think it's always a challenge to be the guardian of our children's 'downtime', but remember too that he will learn much through play on his own, so it isn't lost time. If it were me, I'd go with the special school. I'm guessing some of the activities they are doing at Head Start are things you can download from the internet if you look around online. Or you could ask the Head Start group in your area for resources. Good luck!

We almost did this with my son. My aunt is a kindergarten teacher and actually suggested it. She said a couple of kids in her school did it and did really well. I decided to just keep him at the local pre-k and let him do extended day a couple of days a week. I think if he is able to do it, then go for it.

You say "toddler", which would lead me to beleive he's 2 and won't be starting K for 2 years. Yes, 2 preschools is too much.

Here's my thoughts. I would go with the school most likely to work the best with his disabilities. Head Start is a good place BUT they have a lot of kids in their classes and the kids may need to drop out and go to a different program.

Some of the kids with issues in other areas did half day at Head Start and then rode the bus to the public school and finished out the day in the special classes through the public school system. They did fine.

Our Head Start is from 8am-2pm every day the public school is in session.

You are his mother and only you can decide if this schedule will be ok for him. I will tell you it would not work for my kids (nor would i want ot have them in such structured learning forcused environments) for so many hours a day at such a young age. I would suggest if possible start him at just the morning preschool at the "special school" and see how he does and if you think he can handle more then enroll him in headstart as well.

way too much.. pick the school taht has the least kids adn the most techers to give him the most attention.

spend soem time with him at home teaching too..