https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Tue, 19 May 2026 23:46:03 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/non-religious-parents-religious-childcare/page/2#post-2042508 Tue, 27 Jan 2015 17:20:42 +0000 ChelseaRose 2042508@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@mrsjazz: I definitely understand that. I just got done touring 8 schools in about a week during this month for a possible fall 2015 spot. It's tough! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/non-religious-parents-religious-childcare/page/2#post-2042478 Tue, 27 Jan 2015 17:06:41 +0000 mrsjazz 2042478@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@ChelseaRose: I definitely struggled with that part, for us it was about money + open spots. Good thing we most likely have a spot at a non-religious preschool so I don't have to feel like I'm betraying my personal beliefs about religion. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/non-religious-parents-religious-childcare/page/2#post-2042411 Tue, 27 Jan 2015 16:40:54 +0000 Torchwood 2042411@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@ChelseaRose: That's actually a really good point that I hadn't considered. I totally agree that I wouldn't want my money going to support a religious organization. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/non-religious-parents-religious-childcare/page/2#post-2039953 Sun, 25 Jan 2015 23:41:59 +0000 ChelseaRose 2039953@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We have similar leanings and did not even look at any religious schools even though they tend to be less expensive. I'm less concerned with my child learning religious teachings and more upset with the idea of giving thousands of dollars a year to a religious organization that I don't support or may be opposed to philosophically or politically. For me the savings are not worth compromising my values by financially contributing to a religious organization. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/non-religious-parents-religious-childcare/page/2#post-2039870 Sun, 25 Jan 2015 21:43:25 +0000 loveisstrange 2039870@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@mrsjazz: I talked to DH about his experiences in Catholic school, he went from PreK-6th. He went to a traditional, conservative school run by nuns. They wore uniforms, took mandatory religion classes and attended mass during the school day.</p> <p>He still turned out an atheist. lol. He did say that he thought his education was great. They offered lots of classes that public schools couldn't (he learned Russian in elementary school). When he switched to public school in 7th grade, he was at least a year ahead. He said he thought it was a good experience. </p> <p>Honestly, I'd send C to a catholic school, especially if it was affordable. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/non-religious-parents-religious-childcare/page/2#post-2039867 Sun, 25 Jan 2015 21:40:44 +0000 mrsjazz 2039867@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrs. Yoyo: Thanks! I toured a non-religious school this weekend, too that I kind of love, it's a bit further out of the way but we may go for this one because they have universal pre-k for next year. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/non-religious-parents-religious-childcare/page/2#post-2039866 Sun, 25 Jan 2015 21:39:29 +0000 Mrs. Yoyo 2039866@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@mrsjazz: I'd go for it, then! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/non-religious-parents-religious-childcare/page/2#post-2038457 Fri, 23 Jan 2015 23:21:35 +0000 mrsjazz 2038457@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrs. Yoyo: So from what I know of this school so far parents don't have to attend mass but we would have to do service hours for the school (or pay money for not doing them). They have uniforms for the little kiddies in pre-k3 and pre-k4 but they wear the "gym" uniform which is basically a t-shirt and sweats.</p> <p>I think she will have to go to mass once a month and say grace, which we are fine with because we do this at our parents'/families' homes. In our area it seems our options are 1) very expensive for a program that we'd also have to add extended day hours to since we both WOHM full-time 2) reasonably priced but I was too late in registering (there's no memo about this!) 3) Catholic or Jewish programs. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/non-religious-parents-religious-childcare#post-2038448 Fri, 23 Jan 2015 23:13:27 +0000 Mrs. Yoyo 2038448@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@mrsjazz: We have our son in a Methodist-affiliated preschool and we're pretty non-religious. Almost everything is church-based here unless it's obscenely expensive. </p> <p>They go to chapel once a month and hear the occasional Bible story. They say a prayer before lunch. Once LO yelled at me because I didn't say grace before I ate, which was kind of funny, but that was an isolated incident. They had a Christmas program and it was pretty much all Jesus songs. But, y'know, he's 3. Most of it flies over his head.</p> <p>I will say that I grew up Catholic and would think that a Catholic program would potentially be more intense. My mom grew up Methodist and calls it "Catholic lite" ;-) The Catholic preschool here was more $$$ and it also required uniforms (seriously, already?) and there was a lot of talk about parents going to Mass too, so we decided not to pursue it. </p> <p>A lot of the other options here are Baptist, and I definitely wouldn't have been comfortable with that. I may check out the Episcopal program for next year (another less-intimidating option on my scale o' Christianity). I would also consider the Jewish preschool but it's a bit far from us. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/non-religious-parents-religious-childcare#post-2038393 Fri, 23 Jan 2015 22:14:45 +0000 MenagerieMama 2038393@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I remember in grad school a friend who the only daycare they could get their LO into was a Jewish one, and they definitely weren't Jewish. Ended up liking it so much than their LO2 went as well! Not sure what age they kept that up too though. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/non-religious-parents-religious-childcare#post-2038099 Fri, 23 Jan 2015 17:32:09 +0000 mrsjazz 2038099@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Torchwood: I feel the same way. But since the school has a non-Catholic rate I'm assuming that it wouldn't be too much indoctrination...but I also have no idea what I'm talking about. I'm actually super nervous about going to the open house! But I have heard great things about the school in general, it's affordable, and they have open spots.</p> <p>I'll just go to the open house and if I don't melt when I walk inside it may be okay. I always feel like I'm going to burst into flames or something when I walk into Christian religious institutions. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/non-religious-parents-religious-childcare#post-2038090 Fri, 23 Jan 2015 17:27:07 +0000 Torchwood 2038090@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@mrsjazz: I personally wouldn't do it, because I'm pretty strongly anti-teaching young children too much about religion. But I come from a family of overly controlling basically brainwashing level of child indoctrinators, so I think I'm overly anxious about it. I nannied for a kid that went to a Jewish preschool and they didn't do a ton other than around holidays. I can't say for sure with a Catholic one, and I would assume it varies as well, but I wouldn't expect TOO much on the preschool level. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/non-religious-parents-religious-childcare#post-2038080 Fri, 23 Jan 2015 17:13:16 +0000 .twist. 2038080@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@mrsjazz: Well, I grew up attending a Catholic school (not a daycare, so take what you will from my response) and we did have to attend mass, either in a church or in the gymnasium. Prayers were before all meals as well.</p> <p>ETA: As for curriculum, from what I remember, basic stories, prayers, colouring pages. Obviously, I don't think it was anything too in depth. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/non-religious-parents-religious-childcare#post-2038075 Fri, 23 Jan 2015 17:10:33 +0000 meredithNYC 2038075@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@mrsjazz: When I went to Catholic schools, the younger kids did not attend mass - that started at first grade. As for religion in the curriculum at that age, I can't speak to that since I went to public school for preschool/kindergarten. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/non-religious-parents-religious-childcare#post-2038059 Fri, 23 Jan 2015 16:57:25 +0000 mrsjazz 2038059@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Bumping this thread up. There's an open house at a Catholic school near my home this weekend that offers a super duper affordable pre-k3 program and after school. Like, dirt cheap! Some of the programs for September have already closed to applications (who knew? not me!)</p> <p>I'm agnostic and DH is an atheist. I have no idea what Catholic school is like. Will she have to go to mass? Anyone currently in this situation?</p> <p>I'm wondering what pre-k3 curriculum would look like at a Catholic school. Both of our families are Christian so she will be exposed to church and know who Jesus is so we're okay with that. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/non-religious-parents-religious-childcare#post-1436130 Thu, 20 Feb 2014 10:58:46 +0000 Maysprout 1436130@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I'd just be open about your situation and ask them what they teach. We send our daughter to a church pre-school (we are religious though) and they do pretty minimal Christian education. They celebrate religious holidays with decorations and have a song they sing at the end of the day similar to Jesus Loves Me and that's about it. It's not like Sunday school where they go over the Bible every class but I'm sure there are more intensely Christian focused preschools out there. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/non-religious-parents-religious-childcare#post-1436038 Thu, 20 Feb 2014 10:31:00 +0000 mrsjazz 1436038@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@loveisstrange: My friend has been sending her daughter to Catholic school because it's the most affordable option in their area for a full-time program. Her and her DH are not religious, they figure one year at Catholic school will be okay. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/non-religious-parents-religious-childcare#post-1435998 Thu, 20 Feb 2014 10:21:17 +0000 yoursilverlining 1435998@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@rahlyrah: Completely agree with everything you wrote. </p> <p>I would be personally uncomfortable with LO attending a religious daycare at age 2 or beyond. By 2, children are old enough to begin talking about and understanding on a basic level why we do "nice" things (and why we don’t do “bad” things like hit other, etc.) and I do not want organized religion/Jesus/God/threat of hell/threat of disappointing God/etc. to be any part of that conversation. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/non-religious-parents-religious-childcare#post-1435964 Thu, 20 Feb 2014 10:08:56 +0000 looch 1435964@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We had no Christmas decorations up this year as we were gone most of December, but my son saw a small creche at my mom's house and wanted to bring it home. So, it sat on our table in the living room for months.</p> <p>I recently picked it up and asked my 3 year old who the people where, and he points to the figure of Mary, and goes, "Oh, that's Miss C." Miss C is the director of the program. So, it confirmed to me that they don't do a lot of religious teaching in the day care program. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/non-religious-parents-religious-childcare#post-1435948 Thu, 20 Feb 2014 10:04:19 +0000 MsLipGloss 1435948@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@jedeve: It's not about *conversion* . . . it's much more subtle than that. It's about how a person establishes frameworks within which to analyze and assimilate new concepts and knowledge. A person's view of the world (their reality) influences how those concepts are interpreted and organized to fit within the larger framework of that person's reality. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/non-religious-parents-religious-childcare#post-1435940 Thu, 20 Feb 2014 10:01:21 +0000 lawbee11 1435940@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I agree with @scg00387: . Neither DH nor I are religious. The religiously-affiliated daycares around us are MUCH cheaper. But I just can't send my LO there. She may be unaware now at 6 months old, but babies/toddlers are like sponges and absorb everything. I just don't want to have to deal with what she'd "learn" there. My DH is the cheapest person ever, but even he would never agree to send her to one even though it's hundreds of dollars a month cheaper. It just doesn't mesh with how we want to raise her. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/non-religious-parents-religious-childcare#post-1435912 Thu, 20 Feb 2014 09:50:24 +0000 Rockies11 1435912@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>If it's for a year with a young child I would def do it even though I am adamantly non-religious - the concept of religion is not clear to children until they can think a little more abstractly. I would go Methodist or Catholic because they would be the least inclined to have tons of religious programming, and I would avoid Christian or Evangelical. I wouldn't as a non-religious person, send my kids to religious school past Kindegarten or things could start to get weird. I went to religious school my whole life as a non-religious person, and it sucked! But with very young children I would do it. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/non-religious-parents-religious-childcare#post-1435895 Thu, 20 Feb 2014 09:43:55 +0000 snowjewelz 1435895@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I actually know many families/parents that WANT to send their kids to a religious daycare/preschool b/c of a generalized notion that they will learn to be "nice" or learn "good" things lol. Just like a lot of parents send their teens to church hoping that we can turn them into good people! *shake head* </p> <p>Our church (Christian) runs a preschool facility, and I don't think faith/religion is a huge part of it. Plus, I think if you don't talk about it at home or don't form religious habits as a family, I don't think much of it will stick as they probably won't remember much? I might be more concern if you are not of any particular faith but your LO is older and will remember things and ask questions.</p> <p>At the end of the day I def think it's a matter of your conviction and whether you will be comfortable with the decision or not. I think a lot of religious organizations have these facilities b/c they do want to benefit the community and not all of them are out to convert people or anything! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/non-religious-parents-religious-childcare#post-1435889 Thu, 20 Feb 2014 09:42:18 +0000 meredithNYC 1435889@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I think if you're strongly anti-religion, avoid it. From the other side of things, I am Catholic and I'm planning on sending my LO to Catholic school. I have no intention of forcing religion on her and I want her to learn about all faiths (which, incidentally, I did at my Catholic school), but at the end of the day I feel like it is a religion community and extension of the church. If you really disagree with said religion, it's not fair to you or the other parents who are there for a faith-based curriculum.</p> <p>That said, if it's the best option then you have to do what you have to do. Just my two cents. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/non-religious-parents-religious-childcare#post-1435871 Thu, 20 Feb 2014 09:36:03 +0000 immabeetoo 1435871@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@jedeve: I agree that that shouldn't be an assumption! DH and I actually worked at a church nursery in college :)</p> <p>But at the end of the day when a kid asks a question, I don't ever want the answer to be "because God wanted it that way" or some variation of.@locavore_mama: I'm sure there are plenty if exceptions!</p> <p>It's something I've thought a lot about because we live in the midwest and secular preschools are hard to come by. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/non-religious-parents-religious-childcare#post-1435834 Thu, 20 Feb 2014 09:25:52 +0000 regberadaisy 1435834@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@scg00387: Agree! The only reason I would feel comfortable sending her to this one is because I know a lot of co-workers who sent their kids there. And they are cynics like me. ;) So if it had a huge religious curriculum or much of one I know they would not be happy.</p> <p>And it is seriously a top notch center. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/non-religious-parents-religious-childcare#post-1435823 Thu, 20 Feb 2014 09:19:27 +0000 jedeve 1435823@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Just another perspective. I used to work at a Catholic day care. There was no religious curriculum. They saw it as providing a service to the community, not a way to indoctrinate children. Some places might be more geared to providing religious education, but I wouldn't assume that the intention is to convert a three year old or anything. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/non-religious-parents-religious-childcare#post-1435801 Thu, 20 Feb 2014 09:10:25 +0000 immabeetoo 1435801@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@locavore_mama: @loveisstrange: it's funny I was raised the same way, and I'm agnostic one sibling is atheist and the other is Christian :)</p> <p>I would personally never consider a religious daycare unless there were zero other options. I plan on telling him about different religions an encouraging him to explore and ask questions. I have never been to or experienced a religious school setting that would promote that. Also, I would get irrationally irritated by religiously connected activities, like if he came home with a Bible coloring book haha. Something just really bugs me about itty bitty kids parroting back anything, no matter what it is, but I heard it a lot in conjunction with church nurseries/private schools when I nannied. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/non-religious-parents-religious-childcare#post-1435783 Thu, 20 Feb 2014 09:01:50 +0000 regberadaisy 1435783@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@loveisstrange: not a surprise. ;) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/non-religious-parents-religious-childcare#post-1435774 Thu, 20 Feb 2014 08:58:05 +0000 loveisstrange 1435774@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@locavore_mama: That's how my parents raised my brothers and I. :) Annnnd.... none of us are religious. rofl! My brothers are both atheists. </p>