Am I overthinking or is this valid - daycare v. pre k

DS just turned 4. Since I went back to work full time when he was 20 months, he has been in daycare two days a week and with his two grandmothers the other three days.

We chose this daycare largely because DSD went there (she just turned 13.) So far, so good with DS - he is thriving so far.

Based on a search I did here about preschool, it seems that several of you send your DC to a daycare that is "certified pre k" where, when it's pre k time, they go to "school" for say 5 hours a day and before and after is more like daycare. More like a traditional school but with before and after care. That is what we would need - full day.

So I recently asked about the pre k curriculum at DS's daycare (Kiddie Academy). It didn't sound as rigorous as I would have liked. Then, I asked if they were "certified pre k" and the teacher was, basically, deer in headlights. She thought so, but wasn't sure. The structure of the day is the same as now, though, and that bugs me, because I wanted the more school like structure that I described before, but we need full day (8:15 ish to 4:45 ish.)

I really want him to have the preschool experience. Even though DSD went there and did fine in elementary school, she is nine years older, and I hear so much about how rigorous everything is now.

DS is thriving and "academically advanced in most categories" but as a teacher and a SM to a 13 year old (who we have full time) I know that can change quickly enough.

So, should I move him to a daycare that has a "pre k" program with before and after care or should I keep him where he is? I hate to change him for just one year, then change him again for kindergarten.

If the answer to the above is "yes", which daycares even have that? (Probably every one but the one I picked.)

I am probably overanalyzing but thanks for indulging me.

Re: Am I overthinking or is this valid - daycare v. pre k

Where are you?

Re: Am I overthinking or is this valid - daycare v. pre k

DS goes to universal Pre K through our district. While I believe any kid gets in, they line up at 4am to get a spot for your choice location/time slot.

And registration is a specific day/time and that's it.

We pay for pre-care on site, and they also offer aftercare if needed out of pocket.

There is a definite curriculum through the state and the teacher is a real certified educator through NYS.

We also considered Catholic school but decided it was too expensive right now and we would rather save that option for the upper grades and only if necessary.

From what I understand, not every school district offers Pre K. This is another reason IMO why it's important to be aware of what is in the budget and what could be cut.

Not sure if I even answered your question, but I do not know of what day care centers offer Pre K. I'm wary because I know some people who work for day care type places and they are definitely not educators.

ETA: we also chose this route because we knew DS would continue on in public school, at least through elementary. He was in Catholic nursery last year, this year a different site and when he starts K will be in a different site, although will probably be in pre-care at current location. Additionally, because there are several elementary schools in our district, a lot of the kids in his class now probably won't be with him starting next year. He's adjusted fine each time.

Message edited 5/19/2014 8:14:52 PM.

Am I overthinking or is this valid - daycare v. pre k

What is the curriculum at the daycare he is currently at? I'm sure it's probably the same as most pre-k's to be honest. Pre-k is not as rigorous as most people probably imagine. Socialization, letters and writing is what you are going to find most everywhere. My DD went to pre-k through our district, and it was very basic. Don't let people scare you into believing they need kiddie yale pre-school to thrive in Kindergarten. I would keep your child where he is if he is already thriving.

Re: Am I overthinking or is this valid - daycare v. pre k

Message edited 5/19/2014 8:59:38 PM.

Re: Am I overthinking or is this valid - daycare v. pre k

Thanks all.

To answer questions: I'm in Hicksville and we don't have UPK.

When I asked for info on the curriculum, they gave me a flyer that describes a step up from what he does now - letters, centers, etc. - with maybe a bit more of a focus on the letters. Not sure about putting letters together for words - I mean, I would hope they start that but the flyer was not specific.

Maybe I will ask for more specifics.

Re: Am I overthinking or is this valid - daycare v. pre k

Ok I will throw this out there. Our district does not have universal pre-k. I consider it one of the better districts on the island. I see a lot of this push for more rigorous curriculum comments on here. What crazy things they had to know etc. The reality was very different in my experience.

By me the programs are basically all the same. Mainly, lots of socialization, letter writing, number and letter recognition, learning some things like space (planets), dinosaurs, or other science topics, yoga, computers, etc. I read a bunch of things on here and was concerned before my older DD started kindergarten. Then she went and I kind of scratched my head bc she was right where she needed to be. Pre-k has been more about learning classroom rules, basic foundations -letter and numbers, learning to write letters (which they do again in kindergarten), lots of socialization.

They spent the beginning of the kindergarten year going back over letters and writing etc in kindergarten. As long as they have the basic prek knowledge, and you read to them regularly I think most programs will be fine.

Re: Am I overthinking or is this valid - daycare v. pre k

I was in the same situation as you...full time working teacher mom. I sent my kids to a full day preschool. None of the daycares I toured had enough of a curriculum beyond "well... We do letter of the week!" for my standards. I wanted a school like structure with kindergarten readiness skills at the forefront. I don't live anywhere near where you are, so I can't say which daycares will have what you're looking for, but I'm sure they are out there.

Message edited 5/19/2014 9:50:54 PM.

Re: Am I overthinking or is this valid - daycare v. pre k

My opinion, I wouldn't sweat it too much. I'm sure he will be fine where he is.

I didn't send my DD to any type of formal PreK and she's doing amazing this year in Kindergarten. She's reading at the middle to end of a first grade level and excelling in all areas. And she's young for the grade, a Sept baby.

My point in saying this is that PreK is just not that critical. If it were so important it would be required and it's not. Speaking as a former Kindergarten teacher who has had kids both with and without PreK experience, there is so little difference between the two. Ultimately, the kids who are naturally smart, have good parental support, and who work hard will do just fine in Kindergarten even without PreK.

As an aside, Kindergarten isn't as insane as everyone seems to think it is..........and my DD is in a really good district. It's still just Kindergarten.

Message edited 5/19/2014 10:59:00 PM.

Re: Am I overthinking or is this valid - daycare v. pre k

Posted by Hofstra26

My opinion, I wouldn't sweat it too much. I'm sure he will be fine where he is.

I didn't send my DD to any type of formal PreK and she's doing amazing this year in Kindergarten. She's reading at the middle to end of a first grade level and excelling in all areas. And she's young for the grade, a Sept baby.

My point in saying this is that PreK is just not that critical. If it were so important it would be required and it's not. Speaking as a former Kindergarten teacher who has had kids both with and without PreK experience, there is so little difference between the two. Ultimately, the kids who are naturally smart, have good parental support, and who work hard will do just fine in Kindergarten even without PreK.

As an aside, Kindergarten isn't as insane as everyone seems to think it is..........and my DD is in a really good district. It's still just Kindergarten.

Re: Am I overthinking or is this valid - daycare v. pre k

Posted by MorningCuppaCoffee

Posted by Hofstra26

My opinion, I wouldn't sweat it too much. I'm sure he will be fine where he is.

I didn't send my DD to any type of formal PreK and she's doing amazing this year in Kindergarten. She's reading at the middle to end of a first grade level and excelling in all areas. And she's young for the grade, a Sept baby.

My point in saying this is that PreK is just not that critical. If it were so important it would be required and it's not. Speaking as a former Kindergarten teacher who has had kids both with and without PreK experience, there is so little difference between the two. Ultimately, the kids who are naturally smart, have good parental support, and who work hard will do just fine in Kindergarten even without PreK.

As an aside, Kindergarten isn't as insane as everyone seems to think it is..........and my DD is in a really good district. It's still just Kindergarten.

LOL. When I went to parent night back in Sept, the teacher made it sound pretty hard core. She actually said that when kids start K, they are expected to be at what was 2nd grade level when WE were kids. Maybe she was blowing smoke, who knows......but I do agree with the others that if you are fine with where your DS is, don't overthink it. All too often we get into the comparison game and I think it's even worse here on LI where 9 times out of 10 it's all about appearances for the parents and not actually about the child.

Re: Am I overthinking or is this valid - daycare v. pre k

Re: Am I overthinking or is this valid - daycare v. pre k

Am I overthinking or is this valid - daycare v. pre k

Kindergarten is def. not like 2nd grade. Even with the common core stuff. I'm not sure why they say that. I guess K when we were little was socialization and pasting stuff all day! LOL...so yes it's probably a step up, but it's def. not as challenging as I read people making it out to be. Not at all!

Re: Am I overthinking or is this valid - daycare v. pre k

I never saw the difference between the daycare & the pre-school at the Kiddie Academy that my kids went (ours was a certfied PS but we opted to stick with daycare).

At the preschool age, the KA 3-4-5 yo program had projects they did & taught them the same things.

Honestly, the best thing you can do for your kid is read to them as often as you can. They'll learn sight words, etc.

Re: Am I overthinking or is this valid - daycare v. pre k

Thanks for all of your thoughts!

Re: Am I overthinking or is this valid - daycare v. pre k

Posted by JennP

Thanks for all of your thoughts!

Posted by ali120206



You had mentioned in your original post a full day pre-k program - most pre-k programs are only 2 1/2-3 hrs.

Right, and that's my problem. We really need full day care for at least the 2-3 days, but like I said, I thought I read on here that some daycares have a "preschool program" where it's literally a structured school day for a couple of hours with before and after care in the same location.

However I can see that I am probably worrying too much.

Am I overthinking or is this valid - daycare v. pre k

Does your SD offer UPK? Ours is through the YMCA. I know 2 of the locations they have UPK are at the Y and at a Kiddie Academy. Kids who need daycare go before or after depending if they are in the AM or PM class.

Re: Am I overthinking or is this valid - daycare v. pre k

I think you might be overthinking this... When my kids started going to daycare 3 full days + I thought I wanted a program with a very strong curriculum. I have learned through trial by fire that you should go with the program you have a good feeling about, nevermind if they do letter of the week or advanced calculus.

JMHO - pre-K is where some cursory knoweldge is picked up - letters, numbers, beginning of writing, sight words. And just as importantly - learning to be part of a class.

Re: Am I overthinking or is this valid - daycare v. pre k

No universal pre-k in my area, but a lot of full day Pre-K programs (i felt I had my pick). 9-4 with pre and after hours if needed. Most were standard pre-k (letter recognition, writing, etc.) some were "accelerated" (reading the level A books, simple math problems). If you look, you will find them. My DD is a sponge and I wanted a more rigorous program for her, too. I don't blame you. If you are spending the money anyway, why not get what you want.

Re: Am I overthinking or is this valid - daycare v. pre k

Posted by Hofstra26

My opinion, I wouldn't sweat it too much. I'm sure he will be fine where he is.

I didn't send my DD to any type of formal PreK and she's doing amazing this year in Kindergarten. She's reading at the middle to end of a first grade level and excelling in all areas. And she's young for the grade, a Sept baby.

My point in saying this is that PreK is just not that critical. If it were so important it would be required and it's not. Speaking as a former Kindergarten teacher who has had kids both with and without PreK experience, there is so little difference between the two. Ultimately, the kids who are naturally smart, have good parental support, and who work hard will do just fine in Kindergarten even without PreK.

As an aside, Kindergarten isn't as insane as everyone seems to think it is..........and my DD is in a really good district. It's still just Kindergarten.