https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Sat, 11 Apr 2026 07:35:02 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/when-and-why-did-you-send-your-lo-to-preschool#post-1847638 Wed, 03 Sep 2014 15:21:07 +0000 bushelandapeck 1847638@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Parent status (WOH, SAH, PT, FT, etc.): I SAH 3 days/week and work PT 2 days/week.</p> <p>How old is LO? 24 months</p> <p>How old was LO when you sent him or her to preschool? 13 months</p> <p>Daycare situation before preschool (nanny, daycare, etc.): We use a nanny for the two days/week that I work. </p> <p>Type of school situation if already in preschool (Montessori, etc.): He goes to a cooperative preschool where the parents help in the classroom. It's T/TH from 9-12pm during the school year. </p> <p>What decisions went into your making the switch? It;'s not really a switch as he still has a nanny on M/W but I felt like he would benefit from more socialization and a structured environment. It will also be a nice opportunity for me to have some one on one time with #2. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/when-and-why-did-you-send-your-lo-to-preschool#post-1847565 Wed, 03 Sep 2014 14:46:26 +0000 pregnantbee 1847565@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Thanks so much for the replies everyone! So interesting to see both similar threads here and also how everyone's situation is unique. I still have a lot of thinking to do! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/when-and-why-did-you-send-your-lo-to-preschool#post-1847533 Wed, 03 Sep 2014 14:36:41 +0000 JoyfulKiwi 1847533@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Parent status: We both work outside the home, full time </p> <p>How old is LO? Just turned 2</p> <p>How old was LO when you sent him or her to preschool? He started in a Montessori center at 15 months and is moving to the 2 year old room this week.</p> <p>Daycare situation before preschool (nanny, daycare, etc.): n/a</p> <p>Type of school situation if already in preschool (Montessori, etc.): Montessori environment</p> <p>What decisions went into your making the switch? We put him in the Montessori center as an infant because it was close to our home and a high quality center. We like it because he'll get a consistent quality of care until Kindergarten. Plus, they have extended care hours from 6:30am-6:00pm.</p> <p>If your child is in a center daycare, its totally possible that he could get the same quality of "education" as at a traditional preschool. If the school is accredited (certified on criteria from an organization like NAEYC), has qualified teachers (in CO, all lead teachers need education in child development), and/or is a "high quality" facility (some states have lists of these places) then I'd say he's not missing anything by staying there. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/when-and-why-did-you-send-your-lo-to-preschool#post-1847491 Wed, 03 Sep 2014 14:17:50 +0000 Beehive 1847491@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Parent status (WOH, SAH, PT, FT, etc.): WOH</p> <p>How old is LO? Will be 2 in October</p> <p>How old was LO when you sent him or her to preschool? Preschool begins next week! He'll be 22 months (but in a class of 2-3.5 year olds)</p> <p>Daycare situation before preschool (nanny, daycare, etc.): Full-time nanny, which will not change as preschool is only 3x a week, for 3 hours in the afternoon</p> <p>What decisions went into your making the switch? We think he'll enjoy it. It's pretty early to start preschool, but he loves socializing (he hangs out with his "friends" in the neighborhood every day), and I think it will be a good opportunity for him to learn some stuff, and practice following directions/sitting still/all that good stuff. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/when-and-why-did-you-send-your-lo-to-preschool#post-1847478 Wed, 03 Sep 2014 14:13:16 +0000 Baby Boy Mom 1847478@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Parent status (WOH, SAH, PT, FT, etc.): SAH</p> <p>How old is LO? 3</p> <p>How old was LO when you sent him or her to preschool? 2</p> <p>Daycare situation before preschool (nanny, daycare, etc.): at home with me</p> <p>Type of school situation if already in preschool (Montessori, etc.):<br /> It was called "hands on", like a play based school but more focused on the arts. It was between this one and a montessori, but this one was closer to our house, and more importantly I *loved* the teachers there. </p> <p>What decisions went into your making the switch?<br /> a) I had LO2 at home and wanted some time solo with him/to be able to take him to a baby class/be able to get some things done while he napped<br /> b) all our playdate friends started preschool, so we would have been left with no social interaction during the week<br /> c) he was very ready socially, and it was really good for us as a family</p> <p>Aside- we moved and now I am trying to figure out preschool for this current year. It's tough! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/when-and-why-did-you-send-your-lo-to-preschool#post-1847425 Wed, 03 Sep 2014 13:50:55 +0000 looch 1847425@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Parent status (WOH, SAH, PT, FT, etc.): both parents WOH full time, but we have grandparent care for before and after.</p> <p>How old is LO? Will be 4 in December</p> <p>How old was LO when you sent him or her to preschool? Official preschool began yesterday, at 3 years 9 months.</p> <p>Daycare situation before preschool (nanny, daycare, etc.):at home until age of 2, then went to part time day care at a center that was a feeder for a PreK program</p> <p>Type of school situation if already in preschool (Montessori, etc.): the day care was on the campus of a catholic school, my son now goes to a preschool on the campus of a nature center.</p> <p>What decisions went into your making the switch?<br /> The program...it is nature based on a conservatory, with animals and nature trails. It's such a unique opportunity that I wanted my son to be able to participate in before he goes to formal school next year. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/when-and-why-did-you-send-your-lo-to-preschool#post-1847416 Wed, 03 Sep 2014 13:46:18 +0000 mediagirl 1847416@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Parent status (WOH, SAH, PT, FT, etc.):<br /> WOH FT<br /> How old is LO?<br /> 2<br /> How old was LO when you sent him or her to preschool?<br /> She will be 3<br /> -Daycare situation before preschool (nanny, daycare, etc.):<br /> Daycare<br /> -What decisions went into your making the switch?<br /> Distance from home, kids in this school will live near us rather than near our offices. This daycare/preschool offers after school care if our daughter goes to local schools. Education. The education of the teachers and the education they offer the kids is better than where she is now. It is not a "specialty" school. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/when-and-why-did-you-send-your-lo-to-preschool#post-1847357 Wed, 03 Sep 2014 13:13:38 +0000 Weagle 1847357@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>An addition to my previous answer: We're also choosing to send her now as another way to get involved in our community and get to know other families. It's a small preschool with only kids from our fairly small town, so we're hoping to really get involved. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/when-and-why-did-you-send-your-lo-to-preschool#post-1847340 Wed, 03 Sep 2014 13:04:18 +0000 luckypenny 1847340@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I'm a FT SAHM. </p> <p>DD1 is 27 months and starting montessori preschool in 2 weeks. For 3 hours every morning, though they said they would want to move her to the 3's classroom in a month or two which would be full day. </p> <p>She hasn't ever had any other childcare besides me and grandma occasionally. </p> <p>I decided to send her for a few reasons...<br /> 1. She is fiercely independent and curious. She loves learning and exploring. She is also pretty advanced verbally/developmentally so she likes a challenge.<br /> 2. She seems like she has been missing a social aspect beyond what I could give her, despite weekly play dates and kid classes/storytime.<br /> 3. With DD2 here, I'm looking for some time alone with her :)<br /> 4. NYC school system is crazy and this way I can keep her in a place until she's ready for Kinder and they will help with exmissions. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/when-and-why-did-you-send-your-lo-to-preschool#post-1847297 Wed, 03 Sep 2014 12:49:33 +0000 Mrs. Lion 1847297@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@NovBaby1112: that makes sense :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/when-and-why-did-you-send-your-lo-to-preschool#post-1847291 Wed, 03 Sep 2014 12:48:36 +0000 NovBaby1112 1847291@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrs. Lion: that's true...I'm sure it's the same around here as well, but my LO goes to an in-home, so it's more play focused than structured. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/when-and-why-did-you-send-your-lo-to-preschool#post-1847290 Wed, 03 Sep 2014 12:47:50 +0000 Weagle 1847290@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Parent status (WOH, SAH, PT, FT, etc.):</p> <p>SAHM</p> <p>How old is LO?</p> <p>28 months</p> <p>How old was LO when you sent him or her to preschool?</p> <p>She's starting tomorrow!</p> <p>Daycare situation before preschool (nanny, daycare, etc.):</p> <p>None, as I'm a SAHM</p> <p>Type of school situation if already in preschool (Montessori, etc.):</p> <p>It's just a general preschool, not affiliated with any particular method. Two, 4-hour mornings a week.</p> <p>What decisions went into your making the switch?</p> <p>1. LO is very extroverted and loves being around other kids.<br /> 2. We wanted her to get used to being in a social situation where she has to follow particular rules/structure of activities and sit under the authority of someone other than DH and me.<br /> 3. She's on the advanced end of development, and I think she'll benefit from a more structured learning environment than I can/want to provide right now in our home. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/when-and-why-did-you-send-your-lo-to-preschool#post-1847288 Wed, 03 Sep 2014 12:46:31 +0000 Mrs. Lion 1847288@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@NovBaby1112: at least where i live, good daycare centers also have a structured curriculum. I had to write lesson plans as young as the infant room, and it was based on a common curriculum that was used throughout the school. It was just as structured as a preschool would be. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/when-and-why-did-you-send-your-lo-to-preschool#post-1847255 Wed, 03 Sep 2014 12:35:13 +0000 NovBaby1112 1847255@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I've been wondering a lot of the same things! I was confused as to how a preschool was different than a structured daycare, and the consensus seems to be that a preschool has a more structured curriculum, but the hours cater more towards SAHP or WAHPs. That's what I took from it at least. After reading more about it, I think my plan is to keep LO in a daycare setting until she's around 3ish. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/when-and-why-did-you-send-your-lo-to-preschool#post-1847165 Wed, 03 Sep 2014 12:08:05 +0000 skibobrown 1847165@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We're in a full-time daycare / preschool, and that's where we'll stay. I need the full time care b/c DH and I both work 40+ hours per week. The school activities at DD's daycare seem great. She is learning a ton. She's only 2.5, but she already can recognize many of the letters in the alphabet. She counts to 13 reliably and sometimes as high as 20. She comes home regularly from school singing new songs about educational topics. I'm happy. She's happy. So in my mind there's no need to research other options or to move her away form an environment where she' s happy. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/when-and-why-did-you-send-your-lo-to-preschool#post-1847076 Wed, 03 Sep 2014 11:38:51 +0000 pregnantbee 1847076@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrs. Lion: Totally makes sense. Thanks! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/when-and-why-did-you-send-your-lo-to-preschool#post-1847054 Wed, 03 Sep 2014 11:28:51 +0000 Mrs. Lion 1847054@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I feel like daycare and preschool serve the same purpose....they prepare kids to function in a group setting, take instruction from adults other than their parents, etc. if i had my child in a daycare that i liked, i would not switch them. If they were with a nanny, i would. </p> <p>Since lo is with me all day, i am going to have him start a 2 day, 3 hour preschool at 2.5, go 3 days at 3.5, and then 5 days the year before kindergarten. I feel like it will ease him into being away for longer at a time, but is still within our budget. </p> <p>For sahp's, i don't feel like preschool is a necessity until the year before kindergarten. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/when-and-why-did-you-send-your-lo-to-preschool#post-1847038 Wed, 03 Sep 2014 11:24:32 +0000 HLK208 1847038@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@regberadaisy: true - I don't know how I could have worked and sent B to preschool. A few families did a nanny share who did pick-up (parents dropped off before work) and she watched the 3 kids until they got off work. So they just paid her for 5 hours of care per day, split between 3 families which one mom said worked out to be about $100 a week + $200 per month for preschool. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/when-and-why-did-you-send-your-lo-to-preschool#post-1847013 Wed, 03 Sep 2014 11:16:44 +0000 pregnantbee 1847013@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@regberadaisy: Oh, that's tough, too. The one we're thinking of is mostly WOH friendly in that they have long daily hours. However, they close for more holidays and extended holidays than our current daycare, so I would need to use more PTO to be home on those days. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/when-and-why-did-you-send-your-lo-to-preschool#post-1847011 Wed, 03 Sep 2014 11:15:40 +0000 pregnantbee 1847011@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@HLK208: Thanks! I hadn't even thought of moving him until he turns 3. His current daycare turned into a "preschool" when he turned 2. He does art projects, practices shapes, letters, plays outside, etc. The reason I'm even thinking about this now is because 2 of his best daycare buddies are leaving for a new preschool in November, and the other moms asked if I want to bring my son, too, and keep the boys together. However, I'm very much on the fence about the preschool they chose (strict Montessori), and I just don't have time right now to research more options in the area and make a case for choosing a different one together.</p> <p>My son is learning a lot and is really happy where he is. We're happy, too. I don't want to pull him just because his friends are leaving. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/when-and-why-did-you-send-your-lo-to-preschool#post-1846996 Wed, 03 Sep 2014 11:11:52 +0000 regberadaisy 1846996@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I am struggling with this. My biggest issue is we both WOH and most preschools don't accept younger than 2.5. We want to keep both kids in the same place. And a lot of "preschool" are not woh friendly. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/when-and-why-did-you-send-your-lo-to-preschool#post-1846943 Wed, 03 Sep 2014 10:57:32 +0000 HLK208 1846943@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>You know E is the same age but I was happy with her big brother's preschool experience and timing so we'll do the same with her. So I'll answer for B.</p> <p>I was SAH and B was 3 years, 4 months when he started preschool. He didn't have much social interaction beyond story time at the library, playing at the park and play dates with a few close friends. He was totally okay with going by that point and didn't miss me lol. Since he stayed home with me until that point, no one else had watched him frequently (other than the gym daycare a few times a week). We sent him to a small, private preschool which was great and we got to know the families well. However, now that he's in kindergarten, he's at a HUGE school and I think he feels overwhelmed (um or maybe I do) compared to preschool. We probably could have done public pre-k at his current school to transition him a little easier. </p> <p>So we'll start E at 3 as well. Before that point, I just feel like it's for social purposes (which is helpful with learning how to play and share but daycare gives that too). </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/when-and-why-did-you-send-your-lo-to-preschool#post-1846897 Wed, 03 Sep 2014 10:45:18 +0000 pregnantbee 1846897@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I'm curious since so many kids seem to be starting school now. We're in the process of deciding whether to move our 26 mo LO to a more formal preschool or keep him in his current daycare/preschool. Do you mind answering some questions?</p> <p>Parent status (WOH, SAH, PT, FT, etc.):</p> <p>How old is LO?</p> <p>How old was LO when you sent him or her to preschool?</p> <p>Daycare situation before preschool (nanny, daycare, etc.):</p> <p>Type of school situation if already in preschool (Montessori, etc.):</p> <p>What decisions went into your making the switch?</p> <p>Thanks so much for your help! </p>