https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Sun, 26 Apr 2026 11:47:33 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/which-preschool#post-2458320 Thu, 11 Feb 2016 13:53:58 +0000 Torchwood 2458320@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I would go 2. I believe in play at that age, and it hits other good points. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/which-preschool#post-2458311 Thu, 11 Feb 2016 13:49:34 +0000 cat620 2458311@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I've decided to go with option 1! I'm turning in the paperwork tomorrow morning :happy: </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/which-preschool#post-2457045 Wed, 10 Feb 2016 14:31:00 +0000 cat620 2457045@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@T.H.O.U.: You're right. I think he would do well at option 1, so I'll probably go that route. </p> <p>@looch: Haha that's true for us too. My son plays all day long with me, so I should focus more on what he can learn while he's away. </p> <p>@KayKay: That's true about mornings offering more opportunities for us to go out and do things. One concern I have is that most of my mom friends will be doing a morning preschool, so our schedules won't match up, but we will still have Tues and Thurs to see each other. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/which-preschool#post-2457005 Wed, 10 Feb 2016 14:08:55 +0000 KayKay 2457005@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>In our experience, "play based" doesn't necessarily mean that they just play. LO1 has done several different types of preschools/daycares (we have moved and gone with what was available!), and the true Montessori one actually allowed for the most free-play. It's just that their "work" seems like boring toys to a parent, and they were taught a specific way to use/do things (not all complied..haha). LO1 loved it though. In both the play-based preschool and the combo of Montessori principles /play-based daycare, there was still a focus on learning things (circle time with days of the week, letter of the week that informed the play "activities" that were set up, etc). </p> <p>Also, as a SAHP, the benefit to afternoon schooling is that there are a ton of activities in the morning (storytimes, playdates, etc) that you could still do. There's usually less of that set-up for afternoon, especially at that age, because so many kids nap. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/which-preschool#post-2456997 Wed, 10 Feb 2016 14:05:08 +0000 looch 2456997@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>So in my limited experience, with my son who is in a play based preschool, the best option for him would have been option 1, because what he needs is not help playing, but help structuring his time, etc. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/which-preschool#post-2456991 Wed, 10 Feb 2016 14:02:23 +0000 T.H.O.U. 2456991@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@aprild: I think you have to think about it terms of the right type of learning. All learning is good, but not if its the wrong style for your child or too much pressure. Montessori is known for being at your childs pace and in multiple formats. So I think thats a great option for age 3. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/which-preschool#post-2456990 Wed, 10 Feb 2016 14:01:43 +0000 bushelandapeck 2456990@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I would also think about the environment ie: outdoor space, access to a playground, etc daily. This was a big factor for why we changed preschools for our son. We had been going to a place more like your option #2, but switched this year to option #1 because I wanted access to outdoor space, longer hours, and a bit more of an educational setting. Personally, I would not want the afternoon hours of the first option though. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/which-preschool#post-2456987 Wed, 10 Feb 2016 14:00:36 +0000 gingerbebe 2456987@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@aprild: Honestly, I don't think it really matters that much in the long run. I just ask about the goals because it seems like Option 1 seemed like it appealed to you more because it was more a stable, formal school environment. If the only thing holding you back is the time slot and you have the option of moving to mornings next year (which I think will be ultimately helpful for the transition to kinder), then I think Option 1 would be fine. </p> <p>But ultimately I think its about which school's philosophy would jive better with your son's personality. Personally, as the child, I probably would have wanted Option 1 because I'm a rule follower, introvert, and like very stable, predictable routines and environments. My husband would have probably wanted option 2 because he got bored super easily in school and thrived on lots of different activities, physical exertion, and change. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/which-preschool#post-2456982 Wed, 10 Feb 2016 13:59:11 +0000 cat620 2456982@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@T.H.O.U.: I think the thing I'm worried about would be too much learning and not enough playing haha. I don't know if I'm overthinking it, but I feel like there's a lot of pressure on young kids to learn everything early on, and I want my son to still have fun and get to play. Although, everyone I know who sends their kids to option 1 says it's amazing, so the kids must like it. </p> <p>I'm not sure of the turnover at option 2, but I know option 1 has low turnover. I think they pay their teachers more, since it's a more expensive place. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/which-preschool#post-2456976 Wed, 10 Feb 2016 13:55:48 +0000 T.H.O.U. 2456976@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>If option 1 works for your schedule, why wouldn't you go with that? It seems clear you see a lot of positives with that school. Can you describe more of the negatives you are worried about? </p> <p>- One thing I would question with school #2, I'm not worried about qualified staff but more about staff turn over. Do they have loving devoted staff that will be at the school in that class for the entire year? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/which-preschool#post-2456970 Wed, 10 Feb 2016 13:53:29 +0000 Mamaof2 2456970@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>At age 3 I vote for option 2 </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/which-preschool#post-2456969 Wed, 10 Feb 2016 13:52:56 +0000 cat620 2456969@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@gingerbebe: I am a stay at home parent, and there is a possibility he could get the morning time slot next year at option 1. </p> <p>It's hard for me to answer your second question. I think my husband would say skills/learning, and I would probably lean more toward socialization/behavior, but I think a balance is ideal. My son is very energetic, so I don't want him to be stuck in a chair all day doing worksheets, but I don't think either place is like that. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/which-preschool#post-2456962 Wed, 10 Feb 2016 13:49:07 +0000 gingerbebe 2456962@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>A few questions:</p> <p>Are you a SAHP? Is there a possibility of switching to a different slot/time next year when he's 4 or will he be doing pre-K somewhere else? </p> <p>Is your goal for preschool more about skills/learning or socialization/behavior? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/which-preschool#post-2456949 Wed, 10 Feb 2016 13:43:10 +0000 cat620 2456949@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I'm sending my almost 3 year old to preschool in the fall. I have it narrowed down to two, and I'm having trouble deciding between them. </p> <p>Option 1 - More expensive, but more qualified teachers. They all have backgrounds in childhood education. They have a Montessori style approach to education, and take learning seriously, but they do fun things too like playground time and music class. This is probably the most desirable preschool in the area and is hard to get into. The only opening they have is a MWF class from 12:45 - 4:30pm. My son no longer naps, so this isn't a problem, but I still don't think an afternoon session is ideal.</p> <p>Option 2 - Less expensive, slightly less qualified teachers. These teachers come from a variety of backgrounds, but they are still good at what they do. They take a play based approach to learning, and offer the kids lots of fun games and activities to do all day. It isn't as known for academics as the other place, but it still covers the basics. I can get a MWF class here from 9-1. </p>