I hadn’t planned on putting my son in preschool until the year before he entered kindergarten.
A few months back, I researched kindergarten while writing my redshirting post for Moms LA and learned that CA’s impending changes meant my son would not be eligible for kindergarten until 2015.
That’s over three more years, so two more years at home then a year of preschool.
I may have even twitched a little, realizing I’d have him home at least part time for 5 years.
While I love my son and he’s awesome and amazing, I know he would love being in school as much as I did. And with the lack of kids his age around here to play with (hoping summer schedules make it easier) he could stand to make some regular playmates during the week.
So I am checking out preschools.
Mr. Wonder teased about me at work saying my priorities were skewed. I had texted him about the great tree-shaded playground. I guess that’s like talking about the great football stadium when checking out colleges.
I asked some of the right questions, and a couple silly ones, but ultimately we’re going to go with a little cute ones through a local church. Learning to sit and listen, doing crafts, singing and having fun. Grandmother types with lots of experience and a lot of love.
That’s all he needs right now.
That and the preschools that push education and would soon have him doing worksheets and homework (sure, lets have kindergarten be a complete review and he will be bored and act out in class, that’s a great way to start his schooling, right?) he will be too young to go into kindergarten with his age-mates, so he would be put in a class a year younger than that.
I don’t want to start him with younger kids when he is in some ways at the same level as some of his older friends. I’d rather move him if I want to into a level appropriate class at another preschool if necessary and let him play with kids his own age right now.
Tell me about the choices you made or are making for your kids in preschool. What was most important to you?
What you are planning for your son is perfect. He has plenty of time before structured education takes hold. Socialization and being in a loosely atructured setting with other kids his age will serve him well and prepare for the next steps. I say Bravo.
I think it’s great, and it’ll be great for you son in getting him around other children his age =) He needs playmates, and this will be a great opportunity for him to have them.
Socialize, socialize, socialize. Invaluable. Although your son is already an accomplished flirt.
The start of school was always my favorite time of year; I hope it becomes the same for your precious little one.
Man, I lived for back to school, new paper and notebooks. Too bad he already has a little backpack;)
Choosing a preschool can sometimes be a challenge, you have mixed emotions over it plus you are searching for who will care for your precious gem. It’s tough and I can completely relate, then you have to think pricing and what they offer. Can’t wait to read about first day of school!