Do you think 2y, or 3y, or even 4y olds NEED daycare/preschool?

is it too much this be drama free? I just want to know why you do or don't think that way.

If you were SAHM did you have seperation issues when your kid went to daycare/preschool. I'm crying and I haven't even decided to send him anywhere yet.

Re: Do you think 2y, or 3y, or even 4y olds NEED daycare/preschool?

Me personally, if not having been in day care, yes I think it is very important. I think the socail aspects of day care/pre-school are invaluable to any child. And if you think you'll have seperation anxiety, better to send him on a PT basis before he HAS to go to schhol fulltime. Could be a worse transition for YOU.

Re: Do you think 2y, or 3y, or even 4y olds NEED daycare/preschool?

In this day and age, with all the demands put on kids in freaking kindergarten, I would say yes. At least by 3 or 4 years old. And for the pure routine/socialization/separation aspect.

Re: Do you think 2y, or 3y, or even 4y olds NEED daycare/preschool?

Yes, by age 3 or 4 I think it is a good choice. When we were little, Kindergarten could act as that transition to school year. Not any more...Kindergarten is more now. Kids these days know how to write their names, etc by the time they are in Kindergarten. Not necessarily the case when our generation was in K.

Re: Do you think 2y, or 3y, or even 4y olds NEED daycare/preschool?

Lily never went to day care. I went back to work when she was 4 months old and she went to my father's house. So it was just the two of them all day long. She was incredibly comfortable with him, and he was wonderful with her...but I worried about her socialization. So when she was 3, we put her in a Nursery School - 3 days a week, 2 1/2 hours. It was simply to get a feel for how she picked up on things, and socialization.
I am SO glad we decided to do it...she took to it right away...she's learned a ton...and I am 99% sure she won't have any issues going into Kindergarten next year.
As she's gotten older, she can be clingy at times...so I'm really glad we did it when we did because I have a feeling we'd have issues otherwise.
Good luck!

Re: Do you think 2y, or 3y, or even 4y olds NEED daycare/preschool?

A 2 year old? No. Maybe 3, but I think definitely 4. My 2nd DD is 4 and in prek now and I can't imagine her missing all the cool things they've learned this year, but beyond that, learning the mechanics and routines of being in a school group setting.

And for the record, I sent my girls to a very part time school (two two-hour days) beginning at age 2 (and already enrolled my 16 month old for next year. )--but in my heart I know that was for ME, not for them.

ETA: no real separation issues...

Message edited 2/23/2012 6:17:38 PM.

Re: Do you think 2y, or 3y, or even 4y olds NEED daycare/preschool?

Re: Do you think 2y, or 3y, or even 4y olds NEED daycare/preschool?

Re: Do you think 2y, or 3y, or even 4y olds NEED daycare/preschool?

Yes.. all years

She went to daycare first (since 4m) I took her out and chose to put her in a 2yr pre-primary class. She just blossomed. It made a difference on manners, rules, listening, talking, following directions.

Even if I was SAHM I'd absolutely send her to school.

Over used statement but true: to each their own.

Shes 3 going on 4 in August and is now in the primary class (pre k) she loves it.

Re: Do you think 2y, or 3y, or even 4y olds NEED daycare/preschool?

yes, i did when i was a kid as do my kids... DS started at 2 as did DD.

they are BOTH very socialized with or without school, but pre-school is more f a structured socialization setting.

Re: Do you think 2y, or 3y, or even 4y olds NEED daycare/preschool?

I'm a SAHM with a 2.5 year old. I've got his name down for pre-school for September and I think it will be really good for him. He's pretty smart, talks a ton, knows some letters and numbers, etc - but I find he's a bit behind socially than other children. It's funny the way it manifests itself too - he gets really excited to be with other children - too excited in fact, and then becomes overbearing, awkward, etc. It's interesting to watch. I find that the kids who are in some form of childcare where they're exposed to other children on a regular basis are calmer at play dates/social situations, etc.

JMO

Re: Do you think 2y, or 3y, or even 4y olds NEED daycare/preschool?

Re: Do you think 2y, or 3y, or even 4y olds NEED daycare/preschool?

at 2 years old .. no
at 3 years old yes. As a previous poster stated with the high demands of kindergarten these days I think preschool is very very important.

Re: Do you think 2y, or 3y, or even 4y olds NEED daycare/preschool?

I think it totally depends on the KID AND PARENT.

Ds is in daycare at 2, shares well and can understand his speech.

Ds has a cousin who is the same age but with a SAHM who admits to being on the computer all day, has an early bedtime, and late wakeup so the parent can sleep late, the cousin doesn't share, is alot farther behind in speech, and even walking around stumbles alot.

I don't think that its because the kid is at home. Its the enviroment that is presented to them. SAHM's can plan playdates, and spend more time teaching their kids then alot of daycares would provide.

Re: Do you think 2y, or 3y, or even 4y olds NEED daycare/preschool?

2 is not necessary IMO, but I would take my child to library programs or some group activities. But I do think it's helpful at 3 and 4. They are expected to know how to function in a group by Kindergarten now, and they do pick up a lot of other things (manners, writing skills, etc.) in PreK which you could teach, but I think the teachers and the other children have a strong impact.

Separation anxiety varies with each child, mine has been in daycare 2.5 years and he still has some. But he's not the norm exactly, and I think it would have been worse if I waited longer. It's going to be hard for you at first, but you get used to it.

Re: Do you think 2y, or 3y, or even 4y olds NEED daycare/preschool?

I have a 2.5 year old & know by the time he is 4, I will send him. For me, anything earlier I think is too soon. I'm a SAHM & want him to go to preschool for the social aspect.

Re: Do you think 2y, or 3y, or even 4y olds NEED daycare/preschool?

I would definitely do pre-school if it were my child. But I've worked in early childhood for 8 years so I'm biased. You have to do what you think is right for your child.

Re: Do you think 2y, or 3y, or even 4y olds NEED daycare/preschool?

Message edited 2/23/2012 6:59:51 PM.

Re: Do you think 2y, or 3y, or even 4y olds NEED daycare/preschool?

Pre-K-- yes, I do think it is helpful to give a child an introduction to structure, routine, and expectations before the start of kindergarten. Kindergarten is serious business these days!!!! They do a lot of academic stuff-- a lot of reading fundamentals, they've learned to count money and tell time (I can't believe I never thought to teach him how to tell time! but he picked it up so quickly at school), now they're learning about 3-dimensional shapes such as spheres, cylinders, etc. I can't really imagine a child going from NO school experience whatsoever, to the full-time schedule of kindergarten.

Nursery school? Eh, it depends on the child. My DS was not good socially. Nursery school helped him tremendously with this. My DD probably doesn't NEED nursery, but I feel guilty doing less for her than I did for DS. Plus, I deserve the break

Re: Do you think 2y, or 3y, or even 4y olds NEED daycare/preschool?

I am a SAHM and I originally enrolled DD for preschool at 2, for me. I had a newborn and I needed a couple of hours a week to get errands done with only the baby and to have one on one time with him. I dont believe she needed to go at 2 but it has definitely benefitted her. She loves it and has learned so much and her talking and vocabulary is just off the scale..she is so articulate! I also believe being at school was a big help in potty training because she saw the other children using the potty and wanted to be like them. But if I had waited until 3, I think she would have been fine too. I was so nervous sending her but she did great. I know that at 2 it can go either way but I figured if it doesnt work out, I can always pull her out.
I think a 4 year old should definitely go to preschool or pre-k. The standards for K are more like what we would think of for first grade! and if for nothing else than to learn how to be in a classroom atmosphere and how to follow directions from a teacher and get along with the other children. I am sure there are other ways to establish this for them but being in preschool can only help!

Message edited 2/23/2012 7:13:06 PM.

Re: Do you think 2y, or 3y, or even 4y olds NEED daycare/preschool?

IMO yes. Putting dd in school at 2 was the best thing we could have done for her. She loves school and I think it's because we started her early. My youngest wil be starting in July and I'm hoping she loves it just as much.

Re: Do you think 2y, or 3y, or even 4y olds NEED daycare/preschool?

For us its the age of 3 before they start anything formal...before that its playdates, library programs etc. DD started preschool at 3 1/2 and loved it and DS will start this year and he will have just turned 3...I would rather he was a few months older but I am expecting #3 and think it will be nice for him to have his own little buddies and something going on other than me trying to play with him while dealing with a newborn PLUS each morning we drop DD off at kindergarten he takes his jacket off too and wants to sit down with the class..so I feel he is ready I have to admit I will find it hard though as he seems like such a little baby to me still.

Re: Do you think 2y, or 3y, or even 4y olds NEED daycare/preschool?

I was a SAHM. I didnt really have issues once DD started preschool at 3 BUT that was only b/c I TOTALLY trusted the school I choose. There were a few schools that I passed up b/c I did not trust them so I think I would have had major issues if I didnt fully trust the school I chose (which sometimes you dont have perfection and have to settle for something that isnt ideal to you).

I was HAPPY to have a few hrs each week to finally get some things done without a little body attached. DD did not have separation issues either. She loved it from our visit there to check the school out. She loves her teachers, she is very social and loves making friends, playing, learning, being indepedent,etc. It was a win win for us all around.

Not meant for drama but I do believe children need to be around other children, WITHOUT their parents, to learn to socialize and adjust to school setting. I think it's very important, esp in today's world where most children have some form of preschool. My point is, the few that dont go to a 3 yo program or younger, or a prek at the least, are the minority. But in the end, I would have to know more about studies to have a more educated opinion, vs just my thoughts on it.

Message edited 2/24/2012 8:17:33 AM.

Re: Do you think 2y, or 3y, or even 4y olds NEED daycare/preschool?

I have DS in daycare at 8w. I have family watch him 3 days and he is in daycare 2 days.

When he gets older he will be there full time. i just think they teach him so much.

I work FT and need him to be somewhere so I chose to have family and daycare. FOr now I think its perfect for him.

Re: Do you think 2y, or 3y, or even 4y olds NEED daycare/preschool?