https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Tue, 21 Apr 2026 07:17:21 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/pre-k-dilemma-wwyd#post-2423115 Fri, 15 Jan 2016 09:20:35 +0000 Mama Bird 2423115@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Baby Boy Mom: sort of! DH will go on Monday and see what he thinks. His judgment is often better than mine, so I really want to hear his perspective. Plus we have a few questions I didn't think to ask the first time. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/pre-k-dilemma-wwyd#post-2421276 Thu, 14 Jan 2016 07:47:19 +0000 Baby Boy Mom 2421276@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mama Bird: could you go by again and try to meet his potential teachers and get an impression? When we registered I went and specifically told them our situation (moving etc) and told them what was important to me (play, stability, that kind of thing). It was interesting to see how they responded. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/pre-k-dilemma-wwyd#post-2421162 Wed, 13 Jan 2016 23:25:06 +0000 Mama Bird 2421162@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Baby Boy Mom: that's good to know! I got some idea of the curriculum from touring day cares and it sounds really interesting.</p> <p>I'm not sure how much I can trust my gut from one visit, and getting a lot of pressure from the other moms to not separate the kids... and I totally see their point of view, they spend more time with each other than with us and they're sort of DS's other family. So I've asked DH to visit both places too and see if he gets the same impressions. Ugh, big decisions :bummed: </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/pre-k-dilemma-wwyd#post-2421034 Wed, 13 Jan 2016 21:23:36 +0000 Baby Boy Mom 2421034@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mama Bird: I meant to reply to this yesterday but wanted to say that the NY upk curriculum is amazing! (In my past life I did professional development specifically related to curriculum). That said, there is a huge amount of leeway in how it can be implemented so it really depends on the teachers. Trust your gut and go with where you have a better feeling. If the programs don't feed into K then you have that whole mess ahead of you anyway and your LO might end up back with his friends. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/pre-k-dilemma-wwyd#post-2418736 Tue, 12 Jan 2016 14:11:43 +0000 PurplePeony 2418736@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I'm not in favor of structured academics for young kids (in most cases...there are always exceptions). Unless you think your son will be unhappy at choice # 1, I'd enroll him there. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/pre-k-dilemma-wwyd#post-2418692 Tue, 12 Jan 2016 13:47:34 +0000 catomd00 2418692@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I'm all about play at this age. They have the rest of their lives for school and academics. I don't think academics at this age make any difference in the long term personally. While its hard to separate friends, I think learning to meet new ones is important, too. I'd go with the first one personally. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/pre-k-dilemma-wwyd#post-2418670 Tue, 12 Jan 2016 13:31:54 +0000 birdofafeather 2418670@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@edelweiss: same.</p> <p>i wouldn't send my kid to a school i didn't have a good feeling about! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/pre-k-dilemma-wwyd#post-2418492 Tue, 12 Jan 2016 12:02:42 +0000 Mama Bird 2418492@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@edelweiss: I'm biased too :grin: that's what makes it so hard to decide - all things being equal, I'd totally want DS to stay with his friends.</p> <p>@Mrs. Goose: interesting point, I didn't think about him being bored in kindergarten if they get too far ahead. Definitely something to consider!</p> <p>@HabesBabe: @Finfan: I agree! It's funny, I always thought I'd put education first, but now DS has been in day care for two years and I see how easy it is for other things to fall by the wayside - stuff I took for granted as a kid, like exposure to nature or even being outside in daylight hours. So my priorities have changed quite a bit. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/pre-k-dilemma-wwyd#post-2418353 Tue, 12 Jan 2016 10:47:18 +0000 winniebee 2418353@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mama Bird: Ah, I see. There's no public pre-K program where I am so programs tend to vary greatly around here. I would go with your gut on this. He has the rest of his life to be in an "academic" setting! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/pre-k-dilemma-wwyd#post-2418338 Tue, 12 Jan 2016 10:38:01 +0000 HabesBabe 2418338@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@edelweiss: I agree, I'm not into structured/challenging academics when kids are that young. I'd pick the first one, too. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/pre-k-dilemma-wwyd#post-2418284 Tue, 12 Jan 2016 10:13:19 +0000 Finfan 2418284@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Sounds to me like you prefer the first center and I would too. Kids that age learn best through playing, when learning is more organic. I'm really not a fan of preschools that stress academics. There will be time enough for that in elementary school. I would rather my child have fun. PreK for our family is a social time. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/pre-k-dilemma-wwyd#post-2418264 Tue, 12 Jan 2016 10:04:42 +0000 MamaG 2418264@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mama Bird: Our daycare (where our younger goes and our older on non-school days) is next door to an elder-care nursing home. The 4+ age kids go there once a month to visit the elders and do an activity. It's not a grand field trip but an enriched learning experience. They also have the fire department visit and the kids all go out to the truck and talk with the firemen. This month is transportation, so they went to the school bus in the parking lot and toured it and learned all about it. They are also building their own transportation and will have a parade later this month. </p> <p>I would inquire about those sorts of things at the second place. Ask them if they have any enriched learning experiences for the kids? What sorts of "other" activities do they do.</p> <p>You probably wonder why my 4 year old doesn't go to "daycare" since I just made it sound so awesome? She needed a new environment with more structure. She's ahead of her peers and was bored at the daycare which led to behavioral issues. Education certainly isn't one size fits all at this age. And with the families leaving to go elsewhere, they might be seeking something different than you - and that's okay! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/pre-k-dilemma-wwyd#post-2418257 Tue, 12 Jan 2016 10:00:50 +0000 Mrs. Goose 2418257@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I'd stick with the first because of your feelings towards field trips and it's good track record. Places that have been open longer and have a positive history speaks volumes to me compared to new and shiny (even with good reviews) and I also take issue with places that are too neat and tidy because I feel if there are kids there then there should be some mess!</p> <p>Also, if she gets too advanced now before school starts then you run the risk of her getting too far ahead or on the same level of what they will do in kindergarten and then she'll just be bored there, which can happen. As an educator, I think the most important thing young kids are learning at that age is social skills anyway, coupled with the development of their personal interests which can be triggered by exploration, play, and outings. </p> <p>There is lots of time for a heavier focus on academics. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/pre-k-dilemma-wwyd#post-2418241 Tue, 12 Jan 2016 09:50:42 +0000 edelweiss 2418241@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>it seems like you have a better feeling about the first one. although i'm biased--i don't put much stock in "academics" for kids that young. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/pre-k-dilemma-wwyd#post-2418237 Tue, 12 Jan 2016 09:48:36 +0000 Mama Bird 2418237@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@mrsrain: that was on my mind too! I do feel like they'd be willing and able to challenge him more if he needed something extra. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/pre-k-dilemma-wwyd#post-2418230 Tue, 12 Jan 2016 09:47:06 +0000 Mama Bird 2418230@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@winniebee: the director just said they follow the NYC pre k curriculum. </p> <p>@MamaG: that sounds perfect! I don't think the second place does field trips though... most places around here don't. </p> <p>@KayKay: that sounds very much like what were looking at. I'm glad your daughter likes the second school! I think DS will also do fine in either place, it's just a matter of picking what's better :happy: </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/pre-k-dilemma-wwyd#post-2418201 Tue, 12 Jan 2016 09:37:12 +0000 mrsrain 2418201@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>It sounds like the first is going to be more flexible, so if you're concerned about him being challenged you could probably address it with them. I like the sound of the first much more, and it sounds like you're leaning more in that direction, especially given your learning philosophy. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/pre-k-dilemma-wwyd#post-2418178 Tue, 12 Jan 2016 09:29:00 +0000 KayKay 2418178@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We moved in August, and I just switched DD1 preschool at the holidays. The old one was fine -- I really liked the teachers &amp; staff as people -- but it seemed pretty academic. They did worksheets, I felt like the teacher expected the kids to be perfectly behaved all the time (they're 3 &amp; 4!), and I didn't feel like they got a ton of free play...despite marketing itself as a play-based school. Again, it was a perfectly fine school, and DD1 wasn't unhappy or anything...it just didn't jive with what I thought preschool should be.</p> <p>She's only on her second week at the new school, but we love it! There is a lot of free play (but still guided, if that makes sense), they do field trips, have some partnerships with local museums, etc. </p> <p>The first preschool we tried had tons of great reviews, so I think you just have to go with your gut feeling for your family and your kid. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/pre-k-dilemma-wwyd#post-2418153 Tue, 12 Jan 2016 09:18:22 +0000 MamaG 2418153@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I voted for the second one. My daughter is in an elementary school setting now at 4. They still do "centers" and have recess every day. PE every other day. She gets plenty of play time but there is also a real focus on taking academic steps toward reading and Kindergarten readiness. </p> <p>You mentioned field trips as an attraction for the first program, does the second one do anything like that? Bring in guests? Visit something that might be just next door? Go to the fire department? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/pre-k-dilemma-wwyd#post-2418131 Tue, 12 Jan 2016 09:10:59 +0000 winniebee 2418131@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>What's the "teaching" philosophy if any, at the second program? I think as kids get older the classrooms become more orderly and less toy focused. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/pre-k-dilemma-wwyd#post-2418122 Tue, 12 Jan 2016 09:06:54 +0000 Mama Bird 2418122@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We're picking a pre k for DS and we've narrowed it down to two day cares, but I'm very torn which one to pick! I visited both and they're similar in cost, but otherwise very different.</p> <p>The first one is like the day care he goes to now - a small center that's been around for some 30 years. I loved how warmly the director talked about the kids, and that she said they're always tweaking the program to suit the strengths of that year's class. The downside is that I don't think the program would be very challenging for DS, especially because he's now in a group of 3 and 4 year olds doing a lite version of the pre k program. But they do something I don't think any other pre k here does - they take the kids on field trips once in a while. That means a lot to me, I can't stand the thought of DS cooped up in a room plus a little backyard five days a week if there's an alternative.</p> <p>The second pre k is a big new center, it's only been around for a year. People say they have a very strong program. I didn't like it when I visited though - not major bad vibes, but it was really clean and sterile-looking, and there was no mess anywhere. I thought it was odd, every other place I've gone to there were toys everywhere and you could tell kids play there. This place... I don't know, I got the impression they don't encourage free play. Here's the thing though - four of DS's friends from day care are planning to go there. Their parents don't like the first day care because they don't think it's on the same level academically, but they really like this one.</p> <p>I get that letters and numbers are important, but I still think a four year old needs playing and outdoors even more than they need learning. I think if DS goes to the second day care, he'll really miss out on that. But I also think it would be good for him to stay with his friends, so I don't know what to do! For what it's worth, my parents transferred me to a "better" school when I was a kid and I lost all my friends. It was awful and I'd rather not do that to DS without a really good reason. </p>