https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Sun, 26 Apr 2026 07:34:02 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/did-anyone-delay-preschool-until-age-4#post-2601501 Tue, 09 Aug 2016 23:10:37 +0000 Mrs Green Grass 2601501@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Do it now! You'll love it, he'll love it. I think three days really is better from a consistancy standpoint. Not that there is anything wrong with wishing. But I think you'll be happy to have the space and have it all set before #3 changes things up. :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/did-anyone-delay-preschool-until-age-4#post-2601471 Tue, 09 Aug 2016 21:51:49 +0000 Kemma 2601471@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I think nine hours sounds like a really lovely amount! When my big girl started preschool she did three, two hour afternoon sessions and to be honest, two hours wasn't that convenient when factoring in pickup, drop off and baby nap time.</p> <p>I loved being a full time SAHM but having that little bit of time apart did us both the world of good and allowed my girl to learn all sorts of stuff (both in terms of socialisation and education) that I couldn't teach her at home. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/did-anyone-delay-preschool-until-age-4#post-2601436 Tue, 09 Aug 2016 20:46:19 +0000 SweetCaroline 2601436@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Do what feels right to you! I have a totally different perspective, my DD has been in daycare since she was 3 months old...she gets so much stimulation and growth, I love that place! They also have a formal preschool program so it's a natural transition for us.</p> <p>That being said, if you think he's doing great, stick with what you know! I'd only be concerned about the social benefits...if you feel like he can be separated from you no problem and does okay with other kids, no sweat.</p> <p>Best of luck, do what's right for your family! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/did-anyone-delay-preschool-until-age-4#post-2601420 Tue, 09 Aug 2016 20:15:29 +0000 catomd00 2601420@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I didn't realize preschool before 4 was a thing outside of daycare. My daughter was in daycare from 6mo-15mo when we switched to grandparents care. Everyone keeps asking me if she's starting preschool in fall (she's 2.5 this month!) I hVe zero plans on starting her until 4.5 (year before she starts K) unless grandparents can't handle watching both her and baby. We would also consider not sending her at all. She is intelligent, does well with other kids and listens to the teacher at music class, etc. so I don't think school will cause any issues. If she's behind to start, she will catch up. Most K teachers will tell you that the kids who did no preschool catch up quickly anyways. They have the rest of their lives to be in a formal school environment! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/did-anyone-delay-preschool-until-age-4#post-2598660 Thu, 04 Aug 2016 14:24:46 +0000 rattles 2598660@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I'm keeping my 3.5 year old home until next year. I don't see any harm in kids her age going, but I don't see any need for her to go either. We've got her in gymnastics and a Montessori religious ed program each for an hour a week. She's in a neighborhood playgroup for other kids entering kindergarten her year one morning a week, plus we get together with our local moms club once or twice a week. She's clever, curious and well socialized. She'll be fine when she starts pre-K at 4.5. In the meantime, I work with her on things at home, and she has lots of time to explore and play. The thousands that would have gone to preschool will go in her college fund instead. I'm grateful for the time with her, and her little sister is too! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/did-anyone-delay-preschool-until-age-4#post-2598587 Thu, 04 Aug 2016 13:48:02 +0000 mand4 2598587@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We only started preschool for daycare because I'm working part time and need to be on the phone all day... I enjoy the break, daughter likes school, and we'll continue sending her part time for a few months after I stop working because baby #2 is coming in October.<br /> If you're not in a rush to have him start, you enjoy having him home, and he's a chill kid.... why start? It seems like you have quite a few reasons for wanting him home. On the flip side...9 hours a week isn't that much, and he'll probably have fun! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/did-anyone-delay-preschool-until-age-4#post-2598573 Thu, 04 Aug 2016 13:41:58 +0000 Mrs. Pen 2598573@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My son is starting preschool next month and he's already 4.<br /> I wanted to start him last year, the only reason I couldn't is we had no way to get him to/from school and to daycare because we work. The public preschool didn't offer before/after child care or transportation.</p> <p>This year, they're now offering bussing for additional fee. So they'll pick him up and drop him off at daycare. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/did-anyone-delay-preschool-until-age-4#post-2598531 Thu, 04 Aug 2016 13:12:12 +0000 katsupgirl 2598531@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I was nervous about it too. I intended to delay but there aren't any half day pre-k options in my area. We did 2 days for 3 hours and she was ok. This year she starts pre-k and its full time every day. :crying:<br /> What made it easier was knowing I could pull her out if she was unhappy or skip a day if we wanted to do something else. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/did-anyone-delay-preschool-until-age-4#post-2598455 Thu, 04 Aug 2016 12:12:17 +0000 Pancakes 2598455@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@keepcalmcarrie: DD1 actually started preschool at age 2.5, 2 mornings a week, and at 3.5 she went 3 mornings a week. I didn't intend to start her so early, but she asked to go, and I'm so glad we started then because she made wonderful friends and she just thrived at school. And I still felt that we had plenty of time together. I would give it a try. My daughter has always had a hard time separating at drop off, so that was hard but she would always be happy a few minutes after I left. One thing that helped both of us with the transition was that she was at a co-op preschool, so I was helping in her classroom a couple times per month. I don't know if that's an option for you, and it's also tricky when there are younger siblings since you have to arrange care for them, but we had a great experience going that route. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/did-anyone-delay-preschool-until-age-4#post-2598366 Thu, 04 Aug 2016 10:37:13 +0000 birdofafeather 2598366@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>i had a hard time when DD1 was 2 and i put her in 2 full days for "preschool" which was basically glorified daycare so i could work for myself. but then i realized it was awesome and when DD2 came along, it was such a lifesaver for us all. she's thrived and i'm so glad that we found something and i'm counting down until her school starts in a few weeks! :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/did-anyone-delay-preschool-until-age-4#post-2598314 Thu, 04 Aug 2016 10:02:47 +0000 looch 2598314@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@keepcalmcarrie: I think it's normal! </p> <p>@daniellemybelle: exactly! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/did-anyone-delay-preschool-until-age-4#post-2598312 Thu, 04 Aug 2016 10:00:33 +0000 keepcalmcarrie 2598312@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@daniellemybelle: we did have an option for 2 days, and now I wish I would have chosen it, but I picked 3. At the time I thought more frequent = greater consistency, and he would have an easier time adjusting, but now I don't know. I can't switch now, there's a waiting list for each class.</p> <p>He turned 3 in March, so he'll be 3.5 next month and 4 before the school year ends. I'm very surprised by how much I'm struggling with this though! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/did-anyone-delay-preschool-until-age-4#post-2598308 Thu, 04 Aug 2016 09:57:36 +0000 daniellemybelle 2598308@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@looch: I totally understand why people homeschool when I never really did before! I know it's not for us but I have had the temptation as well! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/did-anyone-delay-preschool-until-age-4#post-2598305 Thu, 04 Aug 2016 09:56:40 +0000 daniellemybelle 2598305@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>LO just started preschool 2 days per week. She'll be 3 in October. I am surprised by how hard of a time I am having with it! I, too, have had second thoughts but I know that is just my mama heart clinging to her! </p> <p>Do you have an option for 2 days per week? At LO's age that is what I am most comfortable with. When she's 3.5 we'll go to 3 days per week. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/did-anyone-delay-preschool-until-age-4#post-2598301 Thu, 04 Aug 2016 09:54:03 +0000 keepcalmcarrie 2598301@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@looch: Yeah, I'm going down this path already too. Probably just in my own mind, I don't think I could ever homeschool well, but it's tempting!!</p> <p>ETA: I probably shouldn't have read that "my son is growing up and away from me" article shared yesterday! Now I'm pretty convinced my 3 year old has one foot out the door :grin: :crying: </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/did-anyone-delay-preschool-until-age-4#post-2598298 Thu, 04 Aug 2016 09:50:26 +0000 looch 2598298@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>If it makes you feel any better I am having a panic attack about my son beginning Kinder and trying to figure out ways to homeschool him, lol...not seriously, but you know what I mean?</p> <p>I am trying to keep the whole "magic of childhood" theme going for as long as I can. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/did-anyone-delay-preschool-until-age-4#post-2598290 Thu, 04 Aug 2016 09:45:07 +0000 keepcalmcarrie 2598290@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>In the spring, I signed my 3 year old son up to start preschool. It's a great school - highly recommended by everyone I've talked to, play-based, 3 hours/3 days a week. I toured a classroom and talked with a few teachers, and it's a wonderful place.</p> <p>But now that school starts next week, I'm having second thoughts. We've never done preschool or daycare, and aside from a 2 month stint when I went back to work after maternity leave and he stayed with my mom, he's always been home with me. We go to some play dates, but mostly I like to be home with just us and he seems happiest in that environment too.</p> <p>He's a very bright, easygoing kid and I think he'll be fine at preschool - if he's not happy after a few weeks, I'll pull him out and wait until next year. But I'm curious if anyone chose to wait until 4+ to enroll in preschool? He just seems really young to me still, and I'm going to miss these early years so much... I'm not in a rush to have him start.</p> <p>I should add that baby #3 is due in Dec and I work very part time from home freelance writing, so there are good practical reasons for having him start preschool. But I'm dreading it now... </p>