https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Mon, 15 Jun 2026 21:49:25 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/advice-on-3-yr-old-preschool#post-2350441 Tue, 10 Nov 2015 10:21:48 +0000 Pirouette 2350441@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@HabesBabe: it's a difference of $1,200 for the year. so it's more, but not enough to be the difference maker if I actually felt that 5 days was better. But i'm not so sure, I'm still so conflicted! which is maybe a good thing, because it seems generally that people were happy with their decision regardless of which they chose!</p> <p>@lamariniere: in polling the grandparents, my parents thought 5 days was better and my MIL thought 3 days, but she didn't have a strong preference either way. She will definitely still be around to watch her in the afternoons and would most likely handle pickups and dropoffs. Actually, that brings up another reason why 3 days might be slightly harder, if some days she's coming over to watch her and some days she's coming over to bring her to preschool. Whereas if she was going 5 days, she would just be coming over to bring her to preschool every day. Not sure if it matters, really, but I guess we won't know until it happens!</p> <p>@Mrs. Peanut: that's kinda what I thought, a few hours a day isn't that overwhelming, right? She'd still be home more than half the day, and have lots of time with grandma. A full day program would definitely be a huge transition. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/advice-on-3-yr-old-preschool#post-2350158 Tue, 10 Nov 2015 06:06:28 +0000 Mrs. Peanut 2350158@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My opinion is 3 days to ease her into the setting. In a year or so, bump her up to 5 days. I'd hate for it to be tremendously overwhelming for her, not having much experience that setting. </p> <p>ETA: I just saw that it's only 9-11:45 and not all day. I based my answer on all day. For only a few hours, I would change my answer to 5 days a week. A few hours a day isn't much time to get overwhelmed. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/advice-on-3-yr-old-preschool#post-2350143 Tue, 10 Nov 2015 05:03:41 +0000 lamariniere 2350143@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I would do 5 days. Our LOs are the same age and my daughter is already in full day (well, 8:30ish to 4) daycare. After she turns 3, she will switch to the big kid "pre-school" class with the same hours. I think routine is good. What does grandma think? Will grandma still provide care in the afternoons? If so, I think it's a good compromise between getting socialization/interaction with other kids and grandma time. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/advice-on-3-yr-old-preschool#post-2350131 Tue, 10 Nov 2015 01:52:33 +0000 HabesBabe 2350131@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Char started her preschool in August, and our program for the 3 year olds is two days a week (either Mon/Tue or Thu/Fri). She does really well with it and doesn't really have a strong enough concept of time to realize that she's "only" going twice a week. She was also a Grandmacare kid and didn't socialize with other kids much before preschool.</p> <p>For us, 5 days would be too much, so I think 3 days would be a perfect fit. How much more does 5 days cost? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/advice-on-3-yr-old-preschool#post-2349501 Mon, 09 Nov 2015 15:44:37 +0000 Pirouette 2349501@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I love that the poll is just as conflicted as I am. I really appreciate all the advice here - you guys are giving me a lot to think about on both sides! :heart: </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/advice-on-3-yr-old-preschool#post-2349499 Mon, 09 Nov 2015 15:43:39 +0000 Pirouette 2349499@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Kemma: that is really encouraging to hear! and yea, i do think she looks forward to library class and would miss it! ah, so much to consider!</p> <p>@JoJoGirl: that is exactly my concern. though, I'm not sure if she'd get used to it only being 3 days a week since it would be consistently like that? I mean, she knows to expect a lack of routine on weekends...but I just don't know. I'm so conflicted!</p> <p>@BandDmommy: haha oh I'm not pregnant yet! just HOPING i'll have maternity leave to worry about when LO starts school :silly: </p> <p>@MamaBehr: aww! yea, I know what you mean! but for me, I'm not home with her anyway, so I miss her like crazy no matter which way we go :crying: </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/advice-on-3-yr-old-preschool#post-2349446 Mon, 09 Nov 2015 15:23:56 +0000 MamaBehr 2349446@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>This is my opinion. My daughter just started kindergarten, and is gone 5 days a week for 7 hours a day, she did not attend preschool. I miss her. I miss her a lot.<br /> Your DD will be in kindergarten soon enough (trust me it goes fast!), so if she doesn't have to do 5 days, I say don't.<br /> My son is 4 in February and he'll start three days in the fall, because I know that soon enough he'll be gone for a long time. But, I'm shellfish! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/advice-on-3-yr-old-preschool#post-2349442 Mon, 09 Nov 2015 15:21:37 +0000 BandDmommy 2349442@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Pirouette: I would do 3 days to start off. Congrats on your pregnancy! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/advice-on-3-yr-old-preschool#post-2349422 Mon, 09 Nov 2015 15:16:07 +0000 JoJoGirl 2349422@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Judging from my 2.5 year old (who is in pre-school full-time, 5 days a week) - she does WAY BETTER when she has her daily routine. Weeks where there is a mid-week holiday or we keep her home for some reason, she gets really thrown off. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/advice-on-3-yr-old-preschool#post-2349340 Mon, 09 Nov 2015 14:30:21 +0000 Kemma 2349340@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Pirouette: my big girl does three, two hour sessions each week and I like it because we still get to do other stuff like music class and playgroup during the week. I personally feel that five days is unnecessary at such a young age and would actually limit her opportunities and experiences. My girl had never been to any kind of daycare or preschool and she's amazed me with how well she's settled in and how good it's been for both of us! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/advice-on-3-yr-old-preschool#post-2349074 Mon, 09 Nov 2015 12:21:43 +0000 Pirouette 2349074@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Ree723: oh wow, that's crazy! full day at 4 is a lot. yea, LO parallel plays, which is fine by me, as long as she's not intimidated by the other kids around her who aren't as introverted! I'm really not sure if she's actually shy or just hasn't had an opportunity to develop those types of social skills yet, so it will be interesting to see how she adjusts to preschool.</p> <p>@Baby Boy Mom: that's true. as long as he's happy, that's really all that matters at this age! I'll be happy enough if she shows some progress towards interacting with others after the first year, even if she's still mostly playing by herself :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/advice-on-3-yr-old-preschool#post-2349016 Mon, 09 Nov 2015 11:42:59 +0000 Baby Boy Mom 2349016@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Pirouette: yes and no. On one hand yes because the repeated exposure helps him feel more comfortable with the other kids. But no because he just has a shy personality so there's only so much he's going to open up even in the best situation. At the end of the day though he loves going so I'm not concerned about how much he participates. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/advice-on-3-yr-old-preschool#post-2349001 Mon, 09 Nov 2015 11:33:44 +0000 Ree723 2349001@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Pirouette: She's starting to play well with the other kids - she still mostly parallel plays, rather than playing interactively, but I'm not worried about it. She loves going to school though and is always really excited to go, but equally excited when I come pick her up. Our situation is a little bit different here though as kids start full time school when they're four (my DD will be 4 yrs 2 months old), so this should be her only year for preschool. I'm fighting it though and am trying to get her a delayed start (starting school at 5 yrs 2 months instead) so she can have another year in preschool, but that aside, even if she does have to go full time next year (argh, makes my blood boil just thinking of it), I'm still not doing more than three mornings a week this year as I think it is wholly unnecessary.... </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/advice-on-3-yr-old-preschool#post-2349000 Mon, 09 Nov 2015 11:31:24 +0000 Pirouette 2349000@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mamasig: yea that makes sense. if you're only a few days a week, missing one day would be enough to really throw you off. I mean, obviously I hope she has no adjustment issues but if she does, I think 5 days would make it an easier transition. My concern with 3 days is that she'll think it's an option (well if I don't have to go tomorrow, why do I have to go today?) but maybe she's too young for that type of concept!</p> <p>@Baby Boy Mom: did your introvert open up quicker from the 5 day schedule do you think? like start engaging with the other kids more? The only time LO has ever even showed that she missed us when we leave for work is after a holiday/long weekend, so I totally get what you're saying. she calls me at work all the time to tell me she misses me, but when i leave for work, she's basically shoving me out the door to go play haha. I'm hoping once she adjusts to school it'll be the same! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/advice-on-3-yr-old-preschool#post-2348969 Mon, 09 Nov 2015 11:17:21 +0000 mrsjyw 2348969@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Pirouette: Yep, I work from home, so I handle pick up and drop offs... My mom watches him along with DS2 when I'm working. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/advice-on-3-yr-old-preschool#post-2348960 Mon, 09 Nov 2015 11:14:52 +0000 Baby Boy Mom 2348960@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My experience says 5. With my extroverted LO he loved it from the get- go and loved going as often as possible. With my introverted LO the transition was much rougher and going 5 days was the best thing for him because of the consistency (and whenever we have short weeks because of holidays it's harder to go back). I think the stimulation also helps them keep napping better which can be an issue with 3 year olds. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/advice-on-3-yr-old-preschool#post-2348953 Mon, 09 Nov 2015 11:11:42 +0000 Mamasig 2348953@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Pirouette: It goes through phases. He's been there 14 months. He cried for a while in the beginning but then got better. Most recently, he's begun crying saying he wants to stay home with my mom. I think there was a new teacher at school that he didn't like. So we are trying to be really consistent and make him go every day. Previously, there were days I'd let him stay home because I knew my mom could watch him. Every other day wouldn't work now for that reason. He'd always want to stay home!</p> <p>Eta: my mom watches my 18 month old. He'll then start at 2 when baby #3 arrives. And my mom will care for the baby. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/advice-on-3-yr-old-preschool#post-2348950 Mon, 09 Nov 2015 11:10:28 +0000 Pirouette 2348950@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@mrsjyw: this was our original plan - 5 days in the 4s program. do you have grandmacare still the rest of the week?</p> <p>@Foodnerd81: yea I agree - the price isn't that big a difference from 3 to 5 days, but it still sucks either way since we pay grandma to watch her! I think it would probably be an easier transition if she did the 5 days, but the 3 days might be a better fit overall, if that makes sense. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/advice-on-3-yr-old-preschool#post-2348941 Mon, 09 Nov 2015 11:06:41 +0000 Pirouette 2348941@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@skipra: I won't be home (except when I'm on maternity leave at some point, which obviously is a whole different issue!) but she has grandma watching her, and she LOVES her time with her. But I think that makes me more nervous about it because I don't want her to look forward to the days she gets to stay home with grandma rather than the days she goes to school, ya know? maybe she's too young to really exhibit those kinds of preferences. It's also hard trying to project what she'll be like almost a year away! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/advice-on-3-yr-old-preschool#post-2348940 Mon, 09 Nov 2015 11:06:30 +0000 Foodnerd81 2348940@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>C will probably start next sept too- she will turn 3 over the summer. My plan is 2 or 3 mornings a week for 3's, then go up to 5 half days a week when she is 4. She is actually quite good at playing wth other kids, but I feel like going from nothing to 5 days would be such a big transition. I have heard from teachers that kids who do it 5 days have an easier time transitioning though. But that's just my thinking, we haven't done it yet. </p> <p>Also- I don't particularly want to pay for more full time when I'm staying home with her. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/advice-on-3-yr-old-preschool#post-2348936 Mon, 09 Nov 2015 11:03:27 +0000 mrsjyw 2348936@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>DS started a 3 day preschool program this past September at 2.75. (Previously a grandmacare baby). He loves it and while I think he would be fine going five half days too, this is the right mix for us and just enough where he isn't burnt out either. I'd say do the 3 days first then the 5 days the following year. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/advice-on-3-yr-old-preschool#post-2348932 Mon, 09 Nov 2015 11:02:09 +0000 Pirouette 2348932@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Ree723: interesting! your perspective is exactly why I was leaning towards 3 days initially (why push it? she's SO young). I'm relieved to hear that your LO has thrived in the 2 days a week program. is she playing well with the other kids? how has she warmed up to the setting? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/advice-on-3-yr-old-preschool#post-2348931 Mon, 09 Nov 2015 11:01:57 +0000 skipra 2348931@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My son turned 3 at the start of the school year and loves going twice a week. At this age it is not confusing for him, I don't think. What I honestly feel is that they will spend SO much time in school there is no need to push it or overdo it when they are so young. Especially if you are able to stay home, take advantage of it!</p> <p>Eta I just saw you said Grandma is currently watching. I would include her in the decision. How lucky for them to be able to spend so much time together! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/advice-on-3-yr-old-preschool#post-2348922 Mon, 09 Nov 2015 11:00:10 +0000 Pirouette 2348922@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mamasig: that's what I was thinking. she's been with grandma every day and knows what to expect, and I don't like the idea of "oh well it's tuesday, so no school today!"</p> <p>@regberadaisy: I wish, but it's a totally different class, and the classes fill up. I mean, if someone else decided to switch too, I guess? but I can't really count on it. but that's exactly my fear - i don't want her to feel like she's being shoved into this 5 day program or anything! I think she'll struggle a little at first either way, but I do think she'll adjust pretty quickly, because that's how she is (she's never once cried when we've left for work or anything, but she's left with grandma, so it's different). I'm just not sure if 3 or 5 days will be an easier adjustment for her, because this is totally uncharted territory!</p> <p>@looch: I could see that being the case! she def goes through periods when she is more attached, so of course you're never out of the woods, really. but that makes me think even more that 5 days might be better, because having off days in between might just make it more likely that those issues will crop up now and again. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/advice-on-3-yr-old-preschool#post-2348902 Mon, 09 Nov 2015 10:49:22 +0000 Ree723 2348902@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My LO is nearly 3.5 and just started preschool this year. We had the option of five mornings per week but chose to do two mornings per week and it's been perfect. She is similar to your daughter in she never attended childcare and hasn't spent a whole lot of time around kids. I thought five days a week was way, way too much for a just turned 3 yr old and I still stand by that decision. I may up her to three mornings per week in January but definitely not more than that. Kids spend so many years in school, why force it early, even if it is play based?</p> <p>ETA: my LO thrives on routine and consistency as well but had zero trouble settling in to two mornings per week. She knows she goes on Tuesdays and Thursdays and that's it. I don't see how five days is any different to two or three days - they get used to what days they go and that's it. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/advice-on-3-yr-old-preschool#post-2348895 Mon, 09 Nov 2015 10:47:43 +0000 looch 2348895@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I voted 5 days, consistency is a good thing! But just a word of warning, you might still have rough drop offs. My son has been in 5 day programs since he was 2 and it's always been a bit of a process with the drop offs. You might be totally fine though! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/advice-on-3-yr-old-preschool#post-2348893 Mon, 09 Nov 2015 10:47:08 +0000 regberadaisy 2348893@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Is it possible to start at 3 then progress to 5? If she's never been in a daycare setting and isn't overtly into playing with other kids then I'm afraid starting at 5 days might be too much for her? But then I can see your point about routine for her as well. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/advice-on-3-yr-old-preschool#post-2348886 Mon, 09 Nov 2015 10:43:04 +0000 Mamasig 2348886@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My mom watched my son until he was 2 and then I put him in preschool. I liked 5 days to make it consistent. I felt like every other day would get confusing. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/advice-on-3-yr-old-preschool#post-2348882 Mon, 09 Nov 2015 10:40:52 +0000 Pirouette 2348882@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Whoa, how is it already time to think about this? the time has come to enroll LO in preschool for next september (she'll be 2.75, in the 3's program based on our school district's cutoff). she'll do 2 years of preschool before kindergarten. she has never been in a daycare setting, and doesn't have a lot of experience playing with other kids.</p> <p>My initial plan was to enroll her in the 3 days a week program (9-11:45am), but after visiting the school, I'm wondering if 5 days a week (same hours) might be beneficial to her. She definitely likes her routines, but is adaptable once she gets used to change. But she hasn't made much effort to play with other kids in her once a week classes (library, music) - she basically just watches other kids, rather than playing with them. I don't know if she's shy or just young, but I'm wondering if the 5 days might be better for her rather than a few days a week with days off in between. But at the same time, 5 days seems like a lot!</p> <p>Long story short, what would you do? is 5 days too much at her age? I would love to hear your experience with either setup! </p>