question about moving up a class at daycare vs. staying a bit longer

My son is now one of the biggest and oldest in his class. They had talked about moving him from an infant room to a toddler room in June but now they want to wait until August. They admit that the next room up does not have as many openings as his current class but there would be space for him if we insisted on moving him now. I really like his current classroom. He gets a lot of one on one attention because his class is not full. I feel like it's fine to keep him where he is, but I also feel like most moms would fight to move their kid up. When my son goes to grade school, he will be one of the youngest in his grade. I realize that it may not matter to him now but I like the fact that he has the chance to be the oldest for a little while. He has a best buddy in his class and that kid is his age and size but I don't know what the plans for him are. I am going to ask them to make sure my son has age appropriate toys but it seems like they do already. Should I push to have him moved up? I feel like I want to leave well enough alone. He likes it there.

Re: question about moving up a class at daycare vs. staying a bit longer

Unless Dylan is imitating the younger kids and feel its holding him back, I wouldn't push it. Cailen has been throui At least 3 move ups and sometimes they happened later than planned because of various reasons. If he is happy and the activities are appropriate then its fine. If he is bored and surrounded by infants or younger babies, then push for the move.

Re: question about moving up a class at daycare vs. staying a bit longer

My DD was always bored (which equates to getting in trouble) so she got moved up pretty fast (they pulled her out of the infant room at 9 months, moved her from toddler 1 to the the older toddlers which is typically 2 1/2 + at 20 months, etc.)

I find that, for her, she's better stimulated when she's one of the younger ones. Now my DS is one of the bigger ones in the infant room, but seems content so I haven't asked to move him up yet.

I think it depends on the child. If you feel he is being stimulated and is happy just leave him. Just try not to lose his spot in the toddler room, I've seen that happen and then when he's ready he's stuck!!

Re: question about moving up a class at daycare vs. staying a bit longer

Re: question about moving up a class at daycare vs. staying a bit longer

Re: question about moving up a class at daycare vs. staying a bit longer

AGree also. If he seems fine where he is and is challenged enough by new things, he should stay where he is. I think a lot of parents do push to advance their kids, and sometimes, they are not ready. If he's happy, leave him where he is now.

Re: question about moving up a class at daycare vs. staying a bit longer

Thanks everyone. I am thinking of asking to have Dylan go to the playground with the toddlers more often. I don't know if they will have the right teacher ratio but they have done this for him once in a while ever since he could walk. He does also get outside with his class but the babies don't all play like he does yet.

Dylan is often very content to page through a book on his own or to try to figure out how to take toys apart. I'm happy for him to keep doing that and I'm not sure if he needs more stimulation at all times. He certainly knows how to run wild when he wants to but he doesn't seem to be getting into trouble so far.

Re: question about moving up a class at daycare vs. staying a bit longer

Personally I would have him move up...i would want my son with kids his own age and older as opposed to younger

Re: question about moving up a class at daycare vs. staying a bit longer

I'm not sure what to do about your DC but I just started my son at a new school - age wise he belong in the infant room - when I got there, the toys seemed way beneath him so I asked to see the next room. They said he was about 3 months young for that room but their toys seems much more his speed. A agreed to have the director evaluate him and see what she thought - after about 10 mins, she agreed that he should be moved into the toddler room.

I'm not sure that holding him back 2 months is going to make that much of a difference by time he gets to kindergarten at this age. Maybe he can do part of the day in both classes - he can get used to the older room and see how he does and he'll still get the attention of the younger room?

Re: question about moving up a class at daycare vs. staying a bit longer

Ultimately you know him best, know his situation best and of course each child is different.

I always pushed for Lucas to move up but I knew that's what he needed. I see the change as he becomes bored in a room - I see his behavior change. He thrives off challenge and seems to do well with the older kids...when he's in a room too long his attention and behavior fall off and we have more and more bad days. So for us we push...but I know plenty of parents that push to hold off movement and rightfully so.

Overall...if your son is doing well where he is there is no rush to move. August will be here before you know it anyway.

Re: question about moving up a class at daycare vs. staying a bit longer