3 year olds going to preschool

How many days and what hours does/will your 3 year old go to preschool? (not daycare)

How did you decide on the school?



I am in the midst of a huge internal struggle on what I want DD's preschool education to be like. Currently, for the 2's, DD is attending a wonderful school that is very, very nurturing, all about 'play', and extremely hands on (no field trips, no 'specials', etc). I have looked at 2 other schools for next year, and tomorrow I am looking at a more academically geared preschool (which comes HIGHLY recommended) that has lots of 'extras'.

I am SO SO confused on what I should do. Transportation is a huge issue for us, and DD's current school offers no help in that area, which is the main reason we are looking elsewhere.

I am a 1st grade teacher, and education is SO, SO important to me (as I know to most everyone else, too! ) and I just don't know which direction to go in.

Thanks for listening.

Re: 3 year olds going to preschool

My district has a preschool program through SCOPE. It is for 3 and 4 year olds. 4 year olds have the option to apply for the lottery for UPK and if not selected, SCOPE is still available. It is held in the same building as kindergarten which is a big reason why I chose it- she would be in the same building for 3 years. 3 year olds have the option of either 3 days or 5 days both 2.5 hours a day. My dd goes 5 because I know she was so ready for that. THere is no transportation though.

Re: 3 year olds going to preschool

DD's preschool is T, TH, F 9:30 - 11:45am. They do have field trips and "extras," but no transportation.

Re: 3 year olds going to preschool

down here in GA there is also a lottery for the 4 year old Pre-K.

DD has been going to a local church preschool since she was 2.5 (she was put in the early 3's after observation by the director).

DS started this year in the 2's.

Their first year, they went 2 days a week, from 9-12pm.

This year, DD went 3 days a week. Next year we chose to keep her here instead of trying for the lottery.
The only things she's missing are lunch, mandatory nap/rest time. There is a considerable difference in class size as well.

We love the education they are getting now. My 2.5 year old son used the word actually in conversation the other day, and used it properly!

Next year, DD will go 5 mornings a week and DS will be in the 3 year old room and going 3 mornings a week.

Re: 3 year olds going to preschool

You know, I really think it depends on the child what type of program you should look into. I think plenty of kids never go to preschool and do well academically in grade school, so an academic preschool isn't necessarily the right choice for all kids.
That being said, my daughter really needed an academic environment that offered structure.
She goes 5 days a week from 9-11:45, however, she goes in early and spends time in the older classroom, so really she's there from 8:15-11:45. She has music class, library and PE. Next year, when she's 4, they add computer class, art class and spanish to that and she'll be there five full days.
For her, the more academic nature of the school is what is really wonderful. She's already reading at 3, so I know I made the right choice for her.
That being said, there's no transportation for the 3 year old program, nor is there a full day option. That starts at 4.

Re: 3 year olds going to preschool

My DD will be going to Nursery School in September, M-W-F 1pm-3:30pm.

I liked the school but ultimately for us it came down to schedule - she has Spanish W-F 10-12:30 and I want her to continue with that. So, decision made.

I didn't go to nursery or preK and I was not behing anyone when I started kindergarten. I don't think academics are so important at this age, but socialization and learning to follow directions, being creative and getting along are the things I expect my DD to get out of it.

Re: 3 year olds going to preschool

Personally I feel that what we are expecting kids to do in kindergarten isn't even developmentally appropriate, so I FIRMLY believe that pre-school should be as play-based as possible.

We had the option of 2 or 3 days (9-11:30) and I chose the 2 day option.

Re: 3 year olds going to preschool

DD will be starting nursery school in the fall.

She'll go M-W-F 8:45-11:30

Re: 3 year olds going to preschool

When Hayley was in 3 year old preschool she went 3 days 9 to 11am.

Re: 3 year olds going to preschool

DD is in a 4 yr old program right now..she goes from 9:15-11:45 2 days a week. Next year we added a day and she will go to the same school 3 days a week. No transportation is offered which is one of the reasons she is not going more days...as a single Mom it is hard for me to work and get her there and back for such a short dsay. I also feel though, that she will have her whole life to go to school 5 days a week..no reason to push it right now. She'll do 3 days next year and also attends dance 1 day a week. Her school definately has plenty of play time and creative time, but she also learns quite a bit.