Kindergarten/first grade teachers

I was having a discussion with my co-worker and she was telling me that she had spoken to someone in her son's school that expressed her opinion that children come into first grade a lot more prepared when they attend a nursery/pre-k program. They even went as far as giving the opinion that children that came from one school were more prepared than another.

That said, from your experience, is this so? And if so, what should I be looking for?

Due to my DH and I working full time I have to put him in day care, nursery and pre-k but if there is a difference then I would like to know so I can try to pick something that is beneficial to him.

Thank you in advance for any information/opinion you can give regarding this subject.

And if you have any recommendations as far as programs please feel free to suggest


ETA: I live in East Meadow

Message edited 3/23/2010 2:41:51 PM.

Re: Kindergarten/first grade teachers

I work in the city so I can't speak for East Meadow, but I do believe Pre-K does prepare children for Kindergarten. They are exposed to numbers, shapes, letters and sounds. They learn to socialize and play. I think it helps them not to be as overwhelmed in kindergarten. When they get to Kindergarten most of our Pre-K kids come equiped with basic skills that will give them an advantage especially in learning how to read.

Re: Kindergarten/first grade teachers

I am a Kindergarten teacher and I have seen first hand the differences between children that attended Pre-K and those that did not. I am not familiar with your area, I am in Suffolk, but I would look for a school setting that has some structure and has many opportunities for hands on learning and exploring. You should see paints, blocks, puzzles, books, dramatic play, crayons and art materials. I don't put much stock into places that do a lot of paper/pencil type work and I don't like when everyone's art projects look exactly the same (you know the teacher is doing the majority of the work). I am also not a huge fan of computer use at this stage. The more creative and expressive the better in my opinion.

Re: Kindergarten/first grade teachers

It absolutely makes a difference! As a first grade teacher I am appauled that Kindergarten isnt even mandatory. Students learn so much in Kindergarten and learn letter sounds, sight words and begin to read. I also feel prek is important not only educationally as far as learnign their letters and numbers ect.. but for the socialization aspect and being prepared for a classroom setting and the expectations

Re: Kindergarten/first grade teachers

From my experience I have been both a 1st grade teacher and a prek teacher.
Yes I found major differences between children who went to prek and who didn't in 1st grade. HOWEVER...if the child has a parent who works with him/her and are involved I would still see that that child knew a lot more too vs. no prek and no parent involvement. KWIM? A child doesn't necessarily have to go to prk in order to "be smart" "know a lot of things" If you ahv a parent who reads and works with that chuld I believe you can have equal sucess teaching the child.

Re: Kindergarten/first grade teachers

Thank you ladies so much for your input

Re: Kindergarten/first grade teachers

Sent you a FM