Help a Mom: Preschool ?

Alee4nia

My daughter will turn 3 in November so at the start of the school year she will be 2 years and 9 months. Considering preschool half-time for her and not sure if I should send her or not...thinking of all the variables. She still is not potty trained and I will have to sit in the class room with her until she turns 3. I live in CA. Any advice from parents....seriously need some advice!

CMmrsfloyd

Have you checked around at different preschools? I've never heard of having to sit in the class with a child until they turn 3. I started my oldest DS (he's 4 now) when he was about 2.5, he was not potty trained, they took care of his diapers when necessary. My youngest DS will be starting in the fall and he'll be 2.5, different preschool, still won't be an issue with diapers, they expect to have to deal with it in that age group. But he will be in a class designated for 2 year olds, the classrooms are attached to a small bathroom and the preschool teachers start working with the kids on potty training during the 2-year old school year, parents are encouraged to work on it at home as well. Once he enters the 3 year old class the following year, he will be expected to be potty trained. The first preschool that I sent my oldest child to was a home-based program, then that wonderful teacher moved away and we moved him into a church-based program. (more afforable than private) Both are/were half-day programs, from about 9:30am-1:00pm. If you absolutely have to be there until she turns 3, and if it's *feasible* for you to do so, I'd say go for it. But that's b/c I had such a wonderful experience with starting my little guy before he turned 3. Others may feel differently.

I'm glad I started my oldest at 2.5 b/c his vocabulary *really* took off within a couple of weeks of starting class, and that was with him only going 2 days per week. Every week he was learning new skills and games and just amazing me with the things he'd picked up in class. I can't wait for my youngest to start in the fall. :-)

Although, as the person below me has posted, you can also start working on a 'preschool curriculum' yourself at home, like a preschool homeschool, if you feel she's not ready for an out-of-home experience yet.

wvtracyann

I am sending my son to preschool this fall but he will be 4. I wouldn't send her that young when you have to be there with her and plus I would work on the potty training before throwing her into a whole new setting. Besides if you are goign to have to be there with her all day why dont you get some educational stuff and have your own class with her at home??? Just a sugguestion.

Alee4nia

The preschool is within the local school district and they require potty training (it's not a private preschool or anything). I am trying to figure out if my little one is ready and I am torn. She isn't potty trained yet, but knows her ABCs, shapes, colors and numbers...using this as a guide that she may need more stimulation than just being at home...still torn...