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Daycare Center and Family Home Forum>Advocate for "Real" Preschool
jojosmommy 12:05 PM 06-01-2012
How many of you encourage kids to attend a "real" preschool once they reach a certain age?

In our area you can either attend preschool 2-3 hours per day a few days a week OR attend a daycare center, in a preschool age classroom up to 12 hours a day.

I personally think all kids benefit from classroom experience, even if their daycare provider does curriculum. I don't think a traditional mixed age daycare home can provide the same environment as a preschool with 15 kids. This can be good or bad I guess depending on the child and their needs.

I am sending my own son to preschool (2 days for 2.5 hours) next year. I also have a difficult 4 yr old dcb whos mom is entertaining the idea of sending him to preschool next year but doesn't like that she will have to pay for daycare and preschool. Here in this area that is pretty much the norm. This child needs more structure, stimulation, and real traditional classroom experience than I can offer with only a few dcks here however because he gets so overstimulated a 10 hour day at a center would not be good either.

Do any of you advocate for a child to attend preschool? How do you stress the importance of getting this classroom experience?
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MyAngels 12:13 PM 06-01-2012
I do, because I don't offer a "preschool" program, and I agree with you that even if I did, it wouldn't be the same with the mixed age group. I sent my own kids (back in the day) to a preschool away from home.

I think it helps the kids get ready for the structure of the kinder classroom, and gives them a nice break from the "babies" here at daycare.

I tell prospective families that I encourage it right from the very first interview. It's not a hard sell here, since 3 day a week, half day preschool, generally costs about $110 or so per month.

All but a couple of families over the years have chosen the half-day preschool option over moving their kids entirely to a center for a full-day program.
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Bookworm 01:50 PM 06-01-2012
I do it because of how the school system is setup in my state. Children with birthdays on or after Sep 1 have to wait an extra year before going to kindergarten. Every year I always have at least 3-4 children who will repeat my class. I usually end up having 2 curriculums because the children who move to my class for the first time are nowhere near the level of the 3 or 4 who have to repeat. They tend to bore easily with certain activities and field trips and I feel so bad for them. Every year at the end of the school year I talk to the repeat parents to ask if they have considered a preschool that will be more challenging. I always explain that my curriculum won't change and they might get bored with the same old same old. I only do this in the child's best interest. Several have taken my advice and it usually works out for the best.
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AnneCordelia 01:54 PM 06-01-2012
I don't encourage preschool at all. Kindy starts the year a child turns four in Ontario so preschool is for age 2.5-3.5 here. That is my favourite age for dck! I don't believe classroom time to be beneficial above what I offer in my small home daycare and so I don't recommend it. I prefer to start a child as a baby and keep them until they age out into a kindy program.
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EchoMom 01:54 PM 06-01-2012
I just had this conversation recently with a parent of a 4 year old. I am a former K classroom teacher myself and could really tell the difference between the children who'd attended a preschool class vs. those who were just with sitters and home daycares. I think at age 4 they really benefit from the structure and peer relationsips in PreK that isn't the same with all the infants and toddlers at my house.
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jokalima 04:13 PM 06-01-2012
IDK, I think it depends on what Home Day Care is it.

I don't consider myself a baby sitter. One of my girls learned to write her name @ age 3-1/2, knows her #'s in English and Spanish, knows her shapes and now she is 4 and she and the other 3 year old are learning about more advanced shapes, my toddlers see me practicing this shapes with the girls so they are learning them to. The 2 of them, the 4 and 3 year old know the shape of the stop sign (octagon), know the letters STOP means stop, know the alphabet, know to take turns, to consider the feelings of other friends, they are not Hispanic and they understand and speak Spanish. They are independent, when Mom brought them, the older one had just turned 3 and she was not potty trained, did not know how to put shoes on, pants etc.. Before summer was done she did this things by herself, her sister learn all of this before turning 3 , still working on poopie in toilet .

The younger one learned how to spell her name@ 2 1/2, when exposed to situations where they interact with other kids they handle it very well, my point? I am not a baby sitter, I worked in and infant room, toddler room and preschool and I provide my kids with a day full of routines and activities.

The only difference between here and a preschool in the # of kids and IDK if that necessarily makes a difference, see, I am old school and I think kids should be with mothers @ least until they start school, meaning Kinder. I made the decision to quit DC center for several reasons but one of them , the most important; is to be with my child for the first 5 years of his life. Parents miss on so many things, I know it by experience, I've seen parents crying because they missed their baby's first step, I just don't want to be in that group.
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EntropyControlSpecialist 04:15 PM 06-01-2012
I AM an in-home Preschool ... so, yes I encourage it.
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daycare 06:55 PM 06-01-2012
Originally Posted by jojosmommy:
How many of you encourage kids to attend a "real" preschool once they reach a certain age?

In our area you can either attend preschool 2-3 hours per day a few days a week OR attend a daycare center, in a preschool age classroom up to 12 hours a day.

I personally think all kids benefit from classroom experience, even if their daycare provider does curriculum. I don't think a traditional mixed age daycare home can provide the same environment as a preschool with 15 kids. This can be good or bad I guess depending on the child and their needs.

I am sending my own son to preschool (2 days for 2.5 hours) next year. I also have a difficult 4 yr old dcb whos mom is entertaining the idea of sending him to preschool next year but doesn't like that she will have to pay for daycare and preschool. Here in this area that is pretty much the norm. This child needs more structure, stimulation, and real traditional classroom experience than I can offer with only a few dcks here however because he gets so overstimulated a 10 hour day at a center would not be good either.

Do any of you advocate for a child to attend preschool? How do you stress the importance of getting this classroom experience?
I do teach preschool and most of mine stay with me until they leave for kinder. HOWEVER, there are and have been kids in the past that I know NEED to go to a preschool outside of my home so that they can get used to the class size. Currently I have a child that I feel I am holding back. She is extremely smart. I have taught her all that I can, including to read, write and basic math. I asked her parents to move her to a head start where they might be able to challenge her more. I feel that she has out grown my program.
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itlw8 07:30 PM 06-01-2012
nope
my kids are ready for school and are eager learners. They have learned from those older than them and practiced those skills teaching those younger than them. They are not bored because we build on the skills we learned when we did a unit before.

Ok they have not been in room with 20 children and one adult. but heck the school has a 4 week free summer school program that covers that before they start in the fall. They teachers love to get one of my kids.

around here Head start is for at risk children because of income and behind in their skills
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AmyLeigh 07:48 PM 06-01-2012
Personally, I wouldn't say that just because Johnny is 4 he needs to go to preschool. The preschools here are either in a center, head start, or an outrageously expensive two hour/two day a week program (seriously, about $100/month less than average full time daycare rates).
Of course, I have very definite educational philosophies, so that may be part of it. But if a parent felt that Johnny would benefit from going to preschool, I certainly would not try to talk him/her out of it. I may ask if there is something I could do to assist if there is an issue of K readiness, though.
Children who are ready to learn will learn. Age is just a number.
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CheekyChick 03:19 AM 06-02-2012
We offer a structured preschool program. We have several children who are three and four and are reading simple words and doing simple math. I can't imagine a traditional preschool that would teach them what we do.
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littlemissmuffet 10:07 AM 06-02-2012
I don't encourage preschool at all. Kindergarten IS preschool. Are we going to start PRE-preschool next??? It's ridiculous. 12 years of schooling is MORE THAN ENOUGH. Let kids be kids.
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Sunchimes 11:29 AM 06-02-2012
Originally Posted by littlemissmuffet:
I don't encourage preschool at all. Kindergarten IS preschool. Are we going to start PRE-preschool next??? It's ridiculous. 12 years of schooling is MORE THAN ENOUGH. Let kids be kids.


In our town, if a child turns 4 before Sept 1, they can go to full day, free, public school pre-k!! I have 2 dcks that are a month apart. One turns 4 two weeks before the deadline, one turns 4 one week after, so one is eligible for pre-K and one will go a year later.

This isn't for another 2 years, but already one mom is counting months (yes, seriously) until she can put this baby in pre-k and save babysitting costs. I am a teacher and while I don't plan to have a formal program, just having two kids the same age, plus the younger sibling, I can do amazing things with these kids before they go off to kindergarten. I fully believe that based on what we do and what I have planned, this child will already have the pre-k skills and is going to be bored out of her gourd.

I've tried talking to mom about it, in a casual way, but she is too excited about saving the money.
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Countrygal 04:11 PM 06-02-2012
Well, let's put it this way - I homeschooled all three of my children and am homeschooling my gs.

I also run a K-4 program five afternoons a week for the two 4yos in my daycare. I agree that school is overrated, obviously....
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Ariana 04:33 PM 06-02-2012
Originally Posted by littlemissmuffet:
I don't encourage preschool at all. Kindergarten IS preschool. Are we going to start PRE-preschool next??? It's ridiculous. 12 years of schooling is MORE THAN ENOUGH. Let kids be kids.
Totally agree!!

Studies have proven that the LESS time children spend in school settings the better off they are. Many advocates suggest kids shouldn't start school until age 7. I think Kindergarten is plenty young enough to be starting any sort of formal schooling.
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Crazy8 09:04 AM 06-03-2012
I find kids need the year of pre-k before kindergarten here. While I'd love to say let kids be kids and let them play, etc. the fact of the matter is our kindergarten is only 3 hours a day and jam packed with material that needs to be taught to get these kids ready for 1st grade. There is no time for "playing" in kindergarten here. I really wish they'd go to full day kindy and then maybe that would change but its not the way it is. One of my dc mom's is a kindy teacher in our school and every year the curriculum just gets more and more demanding. There can be a HUGE learning curve from the kids who went to a "real" pre-k program and the ones who didn't. Is this true for EVERY child - NO. But too many come to kindy not prepared. I teach plenty of life lessons but I am not a teacher, I am a loving, home daycare. My kids usually head to a year of preschool before kindergarten and I encourage it. I do hate when they leave TWO years before kindy. I think that is earlier than necessary.
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Blackcat31 09:09 AM 06-03-2012
Originally Posted by Ariana:
Totally agree!!

Studies have proven that the LESS time children spend in school settings the better off they are. Many advocates suggest kids shouldn't start school until age 7. I think Kindergarten is plenty young enough to be starting any sort of formal schooling.
Since this is an on-going debate, it reminded me of how a member here posed a challenge to people who strongly believe in the benefits of pre-school and asked that they post proof (actual studies) that showed the benefits of preschool academics for children who were not already academically behind, or living in poverty.

This poster challenged others to find studies they could show/post that proved preschool has it's benefits.

So far no one has been able to do this.

Here is an excellent debate about the benefits of preschool and early education. https://www.daycare.com/forum/showth...fits+preschool
There is definitely two different perspective s with very valid points on each side. I know where i stand but prefer to let others choose for themselves.
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Kiki 09:26 AM 06-03-2012
Originally Posted by littlemissmuffet:
I don't encourage preschool at all. Kindergarten IS preschool. Are we going to start PRE-preschool next??? It's ridiculous. 12 years of schooling is MORE THAN ENOUGH. Let kids be kids.
This. I don't tell my parents one way or another. My children never attended preschool, and are just fine. I don't see any added benefit of them going to preschool, especially since kinder in my county is only for 1/2 days. That is preschool to me, school starts in 1st grade.
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itlw8 03:10 PM 06-03-2012
My Grandma told me something that still holds true. Before they go to kindergarten they need some sort of structured program that is more than just mom.

It could be Sunday School a preschool program or library hour. It teaches them to listen to others.

I know these kids that have been with me since birth are ready but they have always had me. Most of them do go to Sunday school and 1x a month the bookmobile comes here for a program and 1x a month a lady from REACH comes and leads an activity. This covers the advise from Grandma
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jojosmommy 07:05 PM 06-03-2012
Ok so what about a child who NEEDS to be in preschool? A 4 yr old very difficult dcb here needs structure. He needs to learn he isnt the only being on this earth, he needs to learn how to wait, how to listen to somone besides me, he needs to learn how to make friends, not annoy them so much that they still like him after ten minutes, not cry if he isnt first evrytime, etc.

He has been at my house since he was a todler. Nobody here wants to play with him anymore because he licks them, constantly touches them, doesn't share, doesn't stick with one activity longer than 2minutes (which obv limits play activities), constantly tests their limits.

He does good with me. Can't function at any outside events, bdays, family events, church etc. I know this because he is family :O.

I am a licensed early childhood teacher, and have my parent and family licensure. I do preschool everyday. My own son just turned 3, has been able to write own name since 2 1/2, is kind, knows all shapes, colors, can tell you a million facts about animals, can actually hold a conversation about everything including his imaginary friends. No doubt my daily interactions have helped. This 4 yr old dcb has made little gains since starting our preschool. He needs more than I can offer, more than play alone can provide him.

What I am wondering is how do you make it clear to mom that this child needs it? Our K program has spelling and reading (among a million other things) the first month school starts. This kid doesnt even know the 5 letters in his own name. He is not going to be ready just doing the same we have been doing. I do conferences, mom thinks K ready is a kid who isnt shy. Does anyone have a k ready assessment I can use to show factual evidence of what a k ready kid is? How do I make it clear, this isnt enough for this kid?
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Countrygal 05:40 AM 06-04-2012
My opinion (only that) - you Can't make it clear to the mom. It is her child. She has to make the decisions and live with them.

I know you love this kid and really want what's best for him, but other than telling the mom straight out your feelings, there isn't much you can do to change her mind.

She must think he's in the best environment right at your place! That's a wonderful compliment! I know you care, but sometimes we have to let the parent be the parent.

Just IMO.
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permanentvacation 06:01 AM 06-04-2012
I do not encourage my children to attend the so-called preschools in my area at all! I have worked at 3 of them and they are a joke! They do a 20 minute circle time and then the children simply play all day. The teachers NEVER sit and play or interact with the children other then to fuss with them, tell them to sit in time out, or send them to the office. Typically the teachers are chatting with each other about their personal lives or texting on their phones. The kids are running around, hitting each other, taking toys from each other, fighting, yeah, they do have lots of good, well behaved fun, but there's always at least one child harrassing someone. There are ALOT of disruptive children in preschools. I teach my children 1000 times more here in my home daycare then any of those preschools do! I actually got in major trouble for having the 4 year olds learn to write their letters on the chalkboard!

If you are encouraging children to go to preschools, I hope you have researched the preschools in your area and honestly beleive their programs are a good fit for the children you are suggesting them to.
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Creek 06:41 AM 06-04-2012
Originally Posted by AnneCordelia:
I don't encourage preschool at all. Kindy starts the year a child turns four in Ontario so preschool is for age 2.5-3.5 here. That is my favourite age for dck! I don't believe classroom time to be beneficial above what I offer in my small home daycare and so I don't recommend it. I prefer to start a child as a baby and keep them until they age out into a kindy program.
Totally agree with this - all of it!
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permanentvacation 07:31 AM 06-04-2012
Actually, I have referred about 4 or so kids to a preschool. Those kids were the types that were horrible to take care of. They needed to go somewhere where they could run more wild all day, be able to bother other children while those children tried to stay away from them, the teacher would be involved in her own adult conversations, and not caring about trying to get the children to use manners or proper grammar. Eventually, after a while, the teacher will get annoyed enough with the child harrassing the others that the teacher will send the child to the office for most of the day.
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youretooloud 08:43 AM 06-04-2012
Most of them leave at four. I encourage and support that. Four is the perfect age.
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Michelle 08:50 AM 06-04-2012
I have a preschool program here and my kids are all reading (usually first grade level), doing math problems, writing their names and and can count to 100. I don't see the point of preschool when the programs around here just teach them letters, colors, and numbers. My kids are too advanced. The only kids I recommend for preschool are autistic kids because they have special training and very small ratios. Head start around here is a joke and most private preschools do not teach reading skills, just colors, numbers and letters and that's as far as they go.
My preschoolers graduate with cap, gown and diploma!
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Countrygal 12:27 PM 06-04-2012
Originally Posted by Michelle:
I have a preschool program here and my kids are all reading (usually first grade level), doing math problems, writing their names and and can count to 100. I don't see the point of preschool when the programs around here just teach them letters, colors, and numbers. My kids are too advanced. The only kids I recommend for preschool are autistic kids because they have special training and very small ratios. Head start around here is a joke and most private preschools do not teach reading skills, just colors, numbers and letters and that's as far as they go.
My preschoolers graduate with cap, gown and diploma!
This is exactly why my dgs is being home schooled. He is way beyond others his age.

I LOVE the idea of the graduation? Would you msg me and tell me where you get the caps and gowns?? TY!
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Blackcat31 12:43 PM 06-04-2012
Originally Posted by Countrygal:
This is exactly why my dgs is being home schooled. He is way beyond others his age.

I LOVE the idea of the graduation? Would you msg me and tell me where you get the caps and gowns?? TY!
Oriental Trading sells some really inexpensive child size caps and gowns.

http://www.orientaltrading.com/ui/se...atchallpartial
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STARSHINE852 02:12 PM 06-04-2012
I have a curriculum in my home daycare. I recommend preschool for the parents to send their child @ age 4. I feel with a preschool program it gets them use to a bigger setting and a more structured setting.
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Countrygal 02:58 PM 06-04-2012
Originally Posted by Blackcat31:
Oriental Trading sells some really inexpensive child size caps and gowns.

http://www.orientaltrading.com/ui/se...atchallpartial
Ooooh, thanks, BC! I never even thought of looking there!!!
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EntropyControlSpecialist 04:32 PM 06-04-2012
Have any of you run into the Moms who are looking for the Preschool version of Harvard?
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Countrygal 05:50 PM 06-04-2012
Originally Posted by LCLC:
Have any of you run into the Moms who are looking for the Preschool version of Harvard?
ROFL!!!

Just give them a copy of Harvard's original rules and precepts:

Harvard's "Rules and Precepts," adopted in 1646, stated (original spelling and Scriptural references retained):

"2. Let every Student be plainly instructed, and earnestly pressed to consider well, the maine end of his life and studies is, to know God and Jesus Christ which is eternal life (John 17:3) and therefore to lay Christ in the bottome, as the only foundation of all sound knowledge and Learning. And seeing the Lord only giveth wisedome, Let every one seriously set himself by prayer in secret to seeke it of him (Prov. 2:3).

3. Every one shall so exercise himselfe in reading the Scriptures twice a day, that he shall be ready to give such an account of his proficiency therein, both in Theoreticall observations of Language and Logick, and in practical and spiritual truths, as his Tutor shall require, according to his ability; seeing the entrance of the word giveth light, it giveth understanding to the simple (Psalm 119:130)."


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jojosmommy 07:19 PM 06-04-2012
Originally Posted by LCLC:
Have any of you run into the Moms who are looking for the Preschool version of Harvard?
Nope but I did have one kid who attended my preschool 3 afternoons a week and a different preschool a few mornings a week. Lots of money, wanted lots of schooling I guess!
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Michelle 09:00 AM 06-05-2012
Originally Posted by Countrygal:
Ooooh, thanks, BC! I never even thought of looking there!!!
Yes they are very inexpensive but the caps do not stay on their heads so I am making headbands with velcro on them to attach to the caps so they don't fall off, lucky I just have girls this year.
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Unregistered 02:42 PM 12-02-2012
Some issues I have with your statements:

Originally Posted by jojosmommy:
How many of you encourage kids to attend a "real" preschool once they reach a certain age
if the teacher is quilified and teaching the same things they would learn in a school/center preschool then that IS a real preschool

Originally Posted by jojosmommy:
In our area you can either attend preschool 2-3 hours per day a few days a week OR attend a daycare center, in a preschool age classroom up to 12 hours a day.
I am taking ECE classes at College that does preschool and they say that most studies say that a few days a week is not enough to be consistant with the child's learning and 12 hours for 5 days a week is too much because kids get cranky being in a center and forced to learn how to sing the ABC song (when they are just remembering the words to the song; NOT the letters)

Originally Posted by jojosmommy:
I personally think all kids benefit from classroom experience, even if their daycare provider does curriculum. I don't think a traditional mixed age daycare home can provide the same environment as a preschool with 15 kids. This can be good or bad I guess depending on the child and their needs.
In my classes they promote child advocating, and that means doing promoting what is good for children as an individual- not just a random group. Not ALL kids do well in the same environement! And in my state home daycares can have up to 12 non-schoolaged children at a time if their is 2 adults present. And home daycares provide more flexability in scheduals and curriculum than most centers. I am taking a preschool curriculum class where we are learning about how to do a "creative curriculum" for individuals and groups- very NON TRADITIONAL! Because the TRADITION way that people are teaching children (even up to high school) are making them "surface thinkers" so they can just barely answer questions on a one-time test but we need to teach them to be "deep thinkers" who will make the future better.

Originally Posted by jojosmommy:
I am sending my own son to preschool (2 days for 2.5 hours) next year. I also have a difficult 4 yr old dcb whos mom is entertaining the idea of sending him to preschool next year but doesn't like that she will have to pay for daycare and preschool. Here in this area that is pretty much the norm. This child needs more structure, stimulation, and real traditional classroom experience than I can offer with only a few dcks here however because he gets so overstimulated a 10 hour day at a center would not be good either.
That is why there needs to be different options that just preschool centers. Just because one kid needs a certain structure doesn't mean all kids learn that way. Some parents like the fact that they have a chance to learn to work in small groups other than just a big group all the time (my ECE instructor says it is what is missing in most PreK-6th grade classes) because while you need to learn how to work with a big group of people; you also need to learn how to work one-on-one because you may one day have trouble working with only one person and need to learn how to resolve you issues with them one-on-one. Children learn from hands on expieriences not just things the teacher tells them to say! (http://www.nap.edu/openbook.php?record_id=9745&page=182) All my ECE teachers say that while sitting down and hearing a lecture and taking notes may help some schoolaged kids, teens, and adults learn- that children need to use all of their sense to learn (hense the sensory stage) this is to make sure it is hardwird in their brains.

Originally Posted by jojosmommy:
Ok so what about a child who NEEDS to be in preschool? A 4 yr old very difficult dcb here needs structure. He needs to learn he isnt the only being on this earth, he needs to learn how to wait, how to listen to somone besides me, he needs to learn how to make friends, not annoy them so much that they still like him after ten minutes, not cry if he isnt first evrytime, etc.
Who says that a home preschool has to automaticly be less structured than a center? There are some home preschools that are very stuctured and some centers that are very unstructured- there is no black and white- because everyone (espesually children) are different! If the director/owner wants structure it will be structured if they don't want it to be stuctured it won't be! if you did take any classes in child development you would understand that most kids don't fully grow out of this phase until about 5 or 6. You were technicaly his "toddler teacher" so you could have done some things to help him start to phase out of this stage sooner by trying to teach him empathy: helping take care of someone who is hurt/sad or helping him right his wrongs other than just teling him "say you are sorry!"- not saying you do or don't do these things just examples. for turns you can try sharing games or turn taking games or even dramatic play (sharing diologe and taking turns talking).


If some of this sounds a little harsh sorry, I think I just got a little iffy with your comment because it's like say "Oh because it's at home so they aren't really learing" that like saying that because you do daycare in your home you just a babysitter (providers are usually called this but I am NOT saying you are). Overall, I say that as long as the teacher is qualified and educated on how to create effective curriculums and is willing to work with each child individually to help the child progress than that is a REAL preschool. I don't consider it a REAL school to just teach them the ABC's song forward and backwards if they can not point out most of the letters in the alphabet (meaning other than "A,B,C" and the ones they need to spell their name) that's why many children in school are illiterate because some people assume "oh, they can sing the ABC song so they can read and write". What YOU think is right for YOUR child is fine, but you shouldn't be so closed minded in saying that ALL children need this and it should be the only optin- it is up to the parents to decide what is write for their child.

What I DO advoacate is for a requirement that anyone who teaches and advertises their business as a preschool (whether in a home or a center) at the very least have to take some classes (curriculum, observation, priniciples of ECE/CD), if not have an ECE/Child Development certificate (ususally about 24 ECE credits) or AA (60 credits of 18 ECE which include a student teacher class and the rest in general Ed). Because while it may be easy to just print out a curriculum you find on the internet every day for the group it would be more benifitial for the child if you understand their learning style and what they need in their environment to benefit most from it.

If you want to convince mom that HER child would do BETTER in a larger class room, one thing you can do is try to look up a DRDP- for preschoolers (they do have them in other age groups) (http://www.wested.org/desiredresults...rguide1012.pdf)
and observe him (using non judgemental and NO opinions just facts and verbs {"he walked/ ran/skipped to" instead of "he went to the door"). Then have a parent teacher conference with his parents and give them advace and suggestions you think will help him.
You may decide to use this with other kids to help you build curriculum that would help them improve. These are great to measure how well a child is doing in one area of development (learning foundations and domains) some children are better with language but still need help with social and emotional.
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Mommy2One 11:47 AM 12-03-2012
Originally Posted by MyAngels:
All but a couple of families over the years have chosen the half-day preschool option over moving their kids entirely to a center for a full-day program.
How does transportation work for those children?

We have free (to parents) VPK for 4 year olds in my area. It's available at any preschool/day care willing to meet the state requirements/do the paperwork so there are a variety of quality programs to choose from. The program covers about 3 hours/day, and most schools are set up for something like 9:00am-12:00pm. My daughter's an only child who spends 2 days with her grandmother and the other 3 with very low ratio outside care (1:2 - 1:4 usually) so I think she'd benefit from being in a larger group in a more structured setting. I don't want her to be in a school/daycare environment the full 9.5 hours/day though and I love our current provider and the home-like atmosphere - I just don't know how to get her to/from preschool. I'd be fine with my provider transporting her, but feel that that's a bit much to ask so I'd love some other ideas.
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The Play Room 11:02 AM 06-07-2017
Originally Posted by Blackcat31:
Since this is an on-going debate, it reminded me of how a member here posed a challenge to people who strongly believe in the benefits of pre-school and asked that they post proof (actual studies) that showed the benefits of preschool academics for children who were not already academically behind, or living in poverty.

This poster challenged others to find studies they could show/post that proved preschool has it's benefits.

So far no one has been able to do this.

Here is an excellent debate about the benefits of preschool and early education. https://www.daycare.com/forum/showth...fits+preschool
There is definitely two different perspective s with very valid points on each side. I know where i stand but prefer to let others choose for themselves.
For anyone wanting documented evidence re: preschool google "the Perry Preschool Study". This preschool program was NOT academic. It allowed children to be children, to explore their own interest through play. They were not confined to desks to do educational tasks. They had short group times that brought the group together for information, but mostly the children chose what they wanted to work on and with who. The 'teachers' were observers, sometimes co-players. They taught with suggestions and guidance. They introduced new concepts and then let the children go with it. This is definitely NOT what you find in a normal preschool and for this reason I don't really feel that preschools are a good thing. BTW- I homeschooled all three of my children from middle school through high school. If I had it to do over, I would have started homeschooling earlier and they would have never entered the doors of a public school.
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Blackcat31 11:47 AM 06-07-2017
Originally Posted by The Play Room:
For anyone wanting documented evidence re: preschool google "the Perry Preschool Study". This preschool program was NOT academic. It allowed children to be children, to explore their own interest through play. They were not confined to desks to do educational tasks. They had short group times that brought the group together for information, but mostly the children chose what they wanted to work on and with who. The 'teachers' were observers, sometimes co-players. They taught with suggestions and guidance. They introduced new concepts and then let the children go with it. This is definitely NOT what you find in a normal preschool and for this reason I don't really feel that preschools are a good thing. BTW- I homeschooled all three of my children from middle school through high school. If I had it to do over, I would have started homeschooling earlier and they would have never entered the doors of a public school.
Perry provided preschool education and home visits to disadvantaged children during their preschool years.

The Perry study is a critical experiment in the literature that examines the benefits of early childhood intervention.

The study is based a randomized controlled trial, considered the gold standard for assessing the effectiveness of a treatment.
However, these social experiments often suffer from imperfect randomization protocols, and the Perry study is no exception.

When only a SMALL percentage of children are studied, the results of course are skewed.
The Perry Preschool study is not a valid example of how children that aren't disadvantaged benefit from preschool experiences.

ANYONE disadvantaged in comparison to their 'peers' will obviously benefit from extra attention and experiences. I don't need a 40 yr study to know that.

I DO find the Perry Preschool study to be a valuable resource for early childhood but not in the context in which they meant it to be.
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hwichlaz 06:15 PM 06-07-2017
Nope, I've been doing this for 18 years, and the kindergarten teachers all look forward to and hope to get my students. I use Mother Goose Time and Funshine Express if I have 4 year olds. Earlier than that and I use Letter of the Week.

There is only one preschool in my community that isn't a low income preschool, head start, or a home daycare doing preschool. They can't take all of the kids.
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Jupadia 05:15 AM 06-08-2017
No I don't push preschool. As a pp stated here in Ontario kids start kindergarden the year they turn 4, so some like my youngest start at 3 years.

Already I think 3 young for kindergarden (mine will be the youngest in his class unless someone has a birthday on December 31 the day after his) it's already early to have him gone for a full day of kindergarden.

Overall though cause ages do change I would say that if a 4 year old is lacking things to do in your program that they have outgrown it . While they may not be ready or need a preschool program that it's best for them to move on to an environment that is better suited to them and their growing needs.
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flying_babyb 08:38 PM 06-08-2017
I agree with jokalima. I worked in a larger center in the 3-5 room. My kids could count, spell there name, know months, colors, shapes, days in spanish and english. Most had great cutting skills, could paste and fallow directions. I copied the 4k curriculum standards and ran with that.
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