Which Preschool Would You Pick?

I would pick the one that your daughter like the most. I took my 3.5 year old daughter to a preschool that was just 3 block away from my parent's house and they had longer hour, and bigger classroom. My daughter seem to like it for the first 2 months and then all of a sudden, she didn't want to go back anymore and we had a lot of trouble getting her to school. She would cried and fuss when we left. We found out that she didn't like the long hour (9am-2pm), we then changed her to another preschool, which was closer to our home with smaller classroom and shorter time (9-12pm). She H. with her new preschool and no more trouble dropping her out to preschool.

Can you take her for a brief visit? See how she reacts to each of the preschool environments and maybe make a decision based upon which is a better match for her?

Hello M.,

What a compassionate mother you are! You have been thinking this one thru for a while!

Which one has the longest waiting list (not decided by government but based on parents wanting to get in before the program rock!)? If others aren't clamoring to put their children there that would be a warning sign for me, even though a few have given it a thumbs up. Often when I ask questions like, "What is it about the program that you are really drawn to." I find out that their focus might be very different than mine.

After seeing hundreds of programs as a legislative analyst during my internship with the Country Childcare Coordinator's office, and then coaching hundreds of parents, I would need to feel safe as well as my child before walking away. Especially with the level of nurturing your family is already providing.

Then remove all the advice and everything else that you can. Close your eyes and feel your way. Which of the programs that you are considering feel the safest to the two of you? Which one feels like home and like your child is being treated like a member of an extended family? Once you get past the voices in your head your direction will easily emerge. And by the way, you are already on the right tract.

Believe well!

A. Z.
http://www.HomeOfficeMommy.com
Coming soon!

I agree with MR... I'd take her to visit each one and see her reaction. Teachers, environment, class ratio and class size can all play a big part. Three is hours is probably plenty of stimulation for her (both times you listed are 3 hours...?) Whether the preschool is play based or academically based she's probably come home ready for a nap for a good while!

Good luck!

IF the preschool is flexible... you can start her with 9-12. Then as she gets adjusted, you can increase the time and frequency of her attendance.
Most preschools are this way... offering either part-time or full-days...and everyday, or m/wed./fri, or tues./Thurs. days.

That extra hour is just for lunch time... so its really up to you, and your schedule/pick up time and if you want to have lunch with her or her having it in school.
AND, you have to factor in her nap-time... that would probably be after school... and if that 12:00 or 12:30 timing difference makes a difference upon you and her routine... for naps or other things.
(well if she is one that still naps... I just say that because both my kids still napped at that age, and preschools most usually have a "nap time" for kids that stay longer).

Usually, many preschools start even earlier than 9:00. So your'e lucky it starts "late." The 1/2 hour difference in start time... is not that much of a difference and the school is close by.

And yes, go by your daughter's reaction to the school.... that is how I chose my daughter's preschool... and she loved it.

good luck,
Susan

What Sandra C said. See which one your child likes best. I personally like the idea of an appealing preschool, with roomy, well-lit places. the difference in 30 min is no big deal. the difference in 3 min driving between the two is no big deal. so what? go out 3 minutes earlier and you've made up the time.
i like smaller classes, more individual attention kids get. i like well-kept and clean classrooms. drop by unannounced at both places and see how things are going. you may choose one and later decide your child is miserable and switch afterwards.