https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Sun, 19 Apr 2026 06:05:59 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/keep-kids-together-or-separate-daycare#post-2865042 Fri, 04 Jan 2019 23:34:05 +0000 ChiCalGoBee 2865042@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@LBee: :heart: My ability to dress babies is largely due to having the best hand-me-down wardrobe ever :silly: .<br /> @crazydoglady: Thrilled you're going the preschool route! You won't regret it. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/keep-kids-together-or-separate-daycare#post-2865032 Fri, 04 Jan 2019 21:26:06 +0000 pinkb 2865032@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Mine were a bit closer in age but I split them and sent DD to preschool. It was a little more hectic with the 2 drop offs and 2 pick ups but not impossible. I didn't even question it, DD was/is speech delayed and that was the reason we moved her to the school from an inhome daycare setting. It really did make a huge difference for her. Good luck! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/keep-kids-together-or-separate-daycare#post-2865031 Fri, 04 Jan 2019 21:17:52 +0000 Pollywog 2865031@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My kids are closer in age, but have a similar daycare setup. It's amazing to have them together. They play great and my big is so great with the little. We were originally going to send big to preschool, but there are several other kids his age and he is learning and growing. Because our daycare is actively encouraging us to stay until kindergarten, we are.</p> <p>In your case, I'd talk to the other parents. If they're staying, then I would stay. In my experience, my research showed that there was no difference in school readiness between those who went to a Pre-K vs a daycare (this was in one specific location and may not be generalizable to all districts). There were fantastically prepared kids from all types of environments, but no statistical significant difference to show a "preschool" was better than a daycare. What we found us that the right environment made far more of a difference. For some kids it's a larger preschool, for others it's a smaller, homelike setting. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/keep-kids-together-or-separate-daycare#post-2865003 Fri, 04 Jan 2019 18:29:38 +0000 Petitduck 2865003@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@crazydoglady: I answered really quickly and simply, but I’m also a teacher and my kids are in home daycare and I am sending my older to preschool currently for the reasons stated just for the first year before kindergarten. It has been great so far. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/keep-kids-together-or-separate-daycare#post-2864996 Fri, 04 Jan 2019 17:21:14 +0000 Waterbaby 2864996@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Another teacher here! I work in a primary school (Headstart-2nd) and would definitely do preschool for both social and academic reasons. I totally believe in letting them be little but school has changed and expectations for K have changed. I will be sending my son to a preschool before he goes to K even though we have been happy with home daycare too. Logistics are a pain but I think you will be happy with preschool in the long run. Good luck! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/keep-kids-together-or-separate-daycare#post-2864991 Fri, 04 Jan 2019 16:51:57 +0000 crazydoglady 2864991@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Foodnerd81: That's a great idea! I think they do a M/W/F program.<br /> @Petitduck: @Ajsmommy: That's what I am leaning towards. They are going to eventually go to different schools anyway. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/keep-kids-together-or-separate-daycare#post-2864989 Fri, 04 Jan 2019 16:49:48 +0000 crazydoglady 2864989@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I really do appreciate everyone's opinions and sharing experiences. I'm going to register DS for preschool with the hope we can figure out logistics and go from there. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/keep-kids-together-or-separate-daycare#post-2864978 Fri, 04 Jan 2019 15:47:53 +0000 Ajsmommy 2864978@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I would 100% send the older to preschool. </p> <p>We were in a similar situation. Our in home provider doesn't do any educational stuff, she reads to them and does crafts and sings songs etc but nothing regimented.</p> <p>We sent DD to her knowing when she turned 3 we'd move her to preschool. We had DS and they went to the same place for about 6 months and then we transitioned DD into preschool. It's been great. DD knew her colors and shapes and stuff prior but the amount she learned was AMAZING!! they are like little sponges at this point. </p> <p>Anyway, I'd put the older one in preschool </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/keep-kids-together-or-separate-daycare#post-2864975 Fri, 04 Jan 2019 15:36:56 +0000 Petitduck 2864975@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I’d send the older to preschool for sure, for the extra kids and for time apart from their sibling </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/keep-kids-together-or-separate-daycare#post-2864966 Fri, 04 Jan 2019 15:21:59 +0000 Foodnerd81 2864966@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@crazydoglady: I have no expert qualifications, not even as a working mom managing drop offs since I stay home. But from my perspective, I would do the two drop offs. My older daughter turned 5 at the end of the summer but we chose to hold her for kindergarten (at the advice of her preK teachers and based on what I have heard and read). I could have sent her for another year at her same preschool in the same class, where her sister was starting this year, but I know they weren’t going to give her what she needs to be ready for Kinder. So I put her in a junior kindergarten class in town and little sister attends her old preschool 15 minutes away. It’s annoying fkr this year but I think it will make the future much better (I hope!). </p> <p>But pretty much everyone in my town attends preschool so it’s definitely expected. If your son has some extra needs that will be better met at a preschool, I would definitely do it. </p> <p>Any chance he could go to a 3 day a week preschool so you only have 3 days of double drop offs, then do the other two with the same one as the baby? A lot of preK around me offer that (but possibly without the hours you would need). </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/keep-kids-together-or-separate-daycare#post-2864961 Fri, 04 Jan 2019 14:51:38 +0000 LBee 2864961@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@crazydoglady: Definitely chat with @chicalgobee about it. She’s pretty much brilliant in every area (particularly dressing her babies), but she really knows her stuff in this area. She also has a July baby so I know she’s had to ready think about it from not just a research perspective but also a personal one. I just know personally that T has learned so much in preschool. They have a letter of the day, they go on field trips, etc etc. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/keep-kids-together-or-separate-daycare#post-2864960 Fri, 04 Jan 2019 14:49:03 +0000 DesertDreams88 2864960@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@LBee: @crazydoglady: As a 5th and 8th grade teacher, I usually could / can pick out the summer birthdays, too. Crazy that for most kids, those differences aren't gone by age 10 / 13. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/keep-kids-together-or-separate-daycare#post-2864959 Fri, 04 Jan 2019 14:48:09 +0000 crazydoglady 2864959@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@LBee: That's a good point. I was planning on redshirting him, but his special ed coordinator recommended he go to k on time. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/keep-kids-together-or-separate-daycare#post-2864956 Fri, 04 Jan 2019 14:44:56 +0000 crazydoglady 2864956@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@ChiCalGoBee: Thank you! This really helps. I will probably be "walling" you sometime in the future for more guidance. I hope our elementary schools do some creative differentiation, too! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/keep-kids-together-or-separate-daycare#post-2864955 Fri, 04 Jan 2019 14:43:40 +0000 LBee 2864955@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@crazydoglady: So I didn’t realize L starts school at the same time as T. For context, several of T’s friends can already read, do basic math, etc. Some learned due to interest, but more learned in preschool. T knows a lot of sight words, can do basic addition, and write all the letters all due to learning at his preschool. This is not something we’ve worked on with him - full time working mom with limited time. Since everyone is the same age, the day is completely structured around 4 year old needs. I didn’t realize that L was going to school on time - in that case, I would really want him to be in a preschool environment with his peers. T is actually the youngest in his class right now (they redshirt him with a 5 year old class at his preschool) and it’s really, really noticeable. His teacher said having not known any birthdays she could have picked out the summer ones. </p> <p>I stand by my comment, too, that there are things they do at his preschool class - like after lunch they all do legos and have free color time - that your daycare teacher simply couldn’t do with that range of ages. Shoot I can’t do many age appropriate activities with T when DD is around. It’s just not possible and I don’t believe she can be as enriching as a preschool and fully honor the education L needs / deserves. Sorry if that sounds blunt. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/keep-kids-together-or-separate-daycare#post-2864953 Fri, 04 Jan 2019 14:41:19 +0000 crazydoglady 2864953@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Sams Mom: That's really the biggest reason is our sanity. I know we would make it work if we had to, but my job is already really draining and I am nervous I would bite on more than I can chew.<br /> @jape14: The preschool doesn't do early drop off, but DH might be able to do preschool pick up once in a while when it isn't coaching season.<br /> @Baby Boy Mom: Thanks for the input!<br /> @KT326: That's a great idea! I will look into that.<br /> @looch: I absolutely understand. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/keep-kids-together-or-separate-daycare#post-2864952 Fri, 04 Jan 2019 14:35:07 +0000 crazydoglady 2864952@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Corduroy: That's exactly the plan DH and I just discussed. It also worries me that she's changed her mind...like will she change her mind if he regresses a little? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/keep-kids-together-or-separate-daycare#post-2864951 Fri, 04 Jan 2019 14:31:49 +0000 crazydoglady 2864951@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@LBee: Hahaha and I am glad to hear them! Fortunately, L and V will be together for a while before preschool would actually begin in the fall, so we would have some time to decide whether or not to have him enroll. We would just miss out on the deposit which is no biggie. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/keep-kids-together-or-separate-daycare#post-2864949 Fri, 04 Jan 2019 14:25:32 +0000 looch 2864949@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@crazydoglady: I look at worse case scenarios...what would I do if in fact my kid wasn't ready in K, and had to spend the year being disciplined or worse, repeat the year? Is that worth it to me? </p> <p>I've had numerous teachers tell me that they absolutely can tell on the first day of school which kids went to preschool and which didn't. They have also said that now, there just isn't much time to devote to the soft skills as there used to be. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/keep-kids-together-or-separate-daycare#post-2864948 Fri, 04 Jan 2019 14:12:40 +0000 ChiCalGoBee 2864948@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@crazydoglady: Kinder teacher here! I would not hesitate to send him to preschool first. From what you've talked about with his speech delay and benefiting from a boost of maturity, I think it will make a world of difference for kindergarten. If he's academically advanced there are a number of different ways he can be enriched, both in the classroom, looping up to older grades, as well as at home. However, maturity skills (both socially and gross motor/fine motor) are pretty important, and I think the extra year would be a huge benefit. Happy to talk one-on-one if you'd like, as I did my graduate thesis on kinder readiness :grin: . </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/keep-kids-together-or-separate-daycare#post-2864947 Fri, 04 Jan 2019 14:10:18 +0000 KT326 2864947@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@crazydoglady: If you think he will be ready for Kinder at his current DCP, I would keep him in the same place. I have two kids almost 5 years apart and only had about 4 months where I didn't have to do two drop offs/pick ups. It does suck but is kind of getting better as the youngest gets older. </p> <p>Not sure about your area, but the summer before school starts our district offers a 4 week "kindergarten readiness bootcamp" type summer camp. You could always check into something like that. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/keep-kids-together-or-separate-daycare#post-2864946 Fri, 04 Jan 2019 13:58:57 +0000 crazydoglady 2864946@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@DesertDreams88: Yes, you articulated my point well. I feel like I am functioning with half a brain this morning (teething sucks.) A kindergarten teacher friend of mine said that all she really needs kids to be able to do is: sit at a desk, sit on a carpet, hold a pencil, know their letters, stand in line, keep hands to self, use a toilet and she will do the rest. DS can do all those things, so I figured we were doing ok and didn't necessarily need to add so much more daily stress. </p> <p>And, yes, next year is the last year before K. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/keep-kids-together-or-separate-daycare#post-2864943 Fri, 04 Jan 2019 13:50:06 +0000 crazydoglady 2864943@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@looch: I'm having a difficult time articulating my point and I apologize if it came off as rude (which was absolutely not my intention.) As a teacher myself, I completely understand and don't think for a moment that it is their responsibility to bring my kid up to speed What I was trying to say (not very well) is that his current daycare does kindergarten readiness, but it may not be quite as enriching. I do still think he would be prepared to be a cooperative, functioning member of his class, I am just wondering if the same aged peer interactions is "worth" the added stress. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/keep-kids-together-or-separate-daycare#post-2864942 Fri, 04 Jan 2019 13:48:32 +0000 DesertDreams88 2864942@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@looch: both the OP and her DH are teachers (middle school and something else, maybe high school?) so I imagine they're quite aware of the academic aspect of this decisions, kindergarten readiness, etc.</p> <p>@crazydoglady: your original post makes me lean towards keeping him at daycare, but I understand the draw of preschool!! We personally have gone back-and-forth about keeping him with his in-home care with his sister, part-time preschool (various schedules) and full-day preschool. </p> <p>I'm not sure of his birth month and enrollment policies - is "next year" his last year before kinder? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/keep-kids-together-or-separate-daycare#post-2864941 Fri, 04 Jan 2019 13:47:37 +0000 Baby Boy Mom 2864941@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I have to agree with @looch: K is super intense these days! So definitely I would send to preschool! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/keep-kids-together-or-separate-daycare#post-2864940 Fri, 04 Jan 2019 13:37:17 +0000 looch 2864940@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@crazydoglady: This is probably where we have to agree to disagree, but why not send your child with as much preparation as possible? </p> <p>My personal view is that the teachers in K have a lot on their plates, a LOT. It's not fair for me to assume that they can spend extra time with my kid getting them up to speed. I accept that this might rub people the wrong way, but if you don't want to send your kid to preschool, don't. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/keep-kids-together-or-separate-daycare#post-2864939 Fri, 04 Jan 2019 13:29:20 +0000 jape14 2864939@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I would definitely send my son to preschool in your situation. Can you and your husband divide and conquer on drop offs? Maybe one place has an early drop off option to help with scheduling? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/keep-kids-together-or-separate-daycare#post-2864938 Fri, 04 Jan 2019 13:16:43 +0000 Sams Mom 2864938@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I would keep them in the same place. If you're doing drop off and pickup for both no matter where they are you have to think of time vs money.</p> <p>Is the $250 less worth it in home time, sleep time, traffic time? I don't know how much extra sleep you would get keeping them together, but the mental load I think would be drastically less. Also, how far apart will the daycare and preschool be? How many added miles, gas, wear and tear on your car?</p> <p>BUT I also don't plan on sending my son to preschool unless there is a major reason to. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/keep-kids-together-or-separate-daycare#post-2864937 Fri, 04 Jan 2019 13:13:54 +0000 Corduroy 2864937@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I was in a similar situation and planned to leave DD at her in home daycare for a year when DS started as a baby. DCP was on board with her staying until 4.5 (so we still planned a year of preschool). Then August rolled around and all of DD's contemporaries had moved on. She would have been the oldest by far at 3.5. DCP basically told us it was time for her to go because of that. Like your situation we have preschool open house and registration in Jan so I was incredibly late to the game. We managed to get her a spot. I would have liked them to be together longer but I think DCP was right to tell us to move on. </p> <p>I am concerned that your DCP already changed their mind once. I'd do the preschool hunt, get a spot, and plan on attending. That buys you some time to make a decision - with some investment. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/keep-kids-together-or-separate-daycare#post-2864936 Fri, 04 Jan 2019 13:09:19 +0000 LBee 2864936@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I would put L in preschool. And I'm speaking as the ghost of the future (my kids are the same years apart) - T could not be with DD. He is hyper focused when other kids are around about "protecting her" and I feel like it would be a distraction. I also think T would not handle well sharing MORE of his life with DD. I like him having his own special place to go that is DD free. I have more thoughts but all these initials are confusing me. </p> <p>Bottom line: Send L to preschool. You won't regret it.</p> <p>ETA: Also, my DD is hell on wheels. She's super spirited in terms of getting into stuff. Adding her as the only baby would greatly change the dynamic of childcare for my son. She is the type to eat a lego then shove another one up her nose. Some of the activities L could do without adding a baby to the mix would probably be stopped due to V's presence. I know that in T's preschool class they do TONS of stuff that T can't do at home, which I am so incredibly grateful.</p> <p>ETA x2: Have you considered a preschool with a mother's day out connected? Not sure the hours you need, but that could eliminate the double drop off problem. I obviously have a lot of thoughts and opinions today. </p>