https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Sat, 04 Apr 2026 11:18:49 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/which-preschool-class#post-2839879 Wed, 15 Aug 2018 12:18:03 +0000 catgirl 2839879@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Again, thank you everyone for everything to think about. </p> <p>We decided to stick with the 3s class. It's what we went there expecting to do and if the 4s class hadn't been presented we would have signed her up for the 3s without hesitation. While I think she would like the slightly older kids in the 4s class, the number of kids just seemed too high for her first classroom experience. </p> <p>On the off chance a spot opens in the 4s mid year the director has agreed to consider moving her up based on how she is doing. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/which-preschool-class#post-2839601 Tue, 14 Aug 2018 08:41:22 +0000 catgirl 2839601@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@LBee: they do not necessarily have a stated curriculum. She mentioned in the 3s they work on recognizing letters, starting to learn letter sounds, writing their name, counting to 20, etc. DD already recognized all uppercase and lowercase letters, knows the letter sounds, can write her first name, can spell her first and last names, can recognize numbers up to 20, and can count to 50ish. </p> <p>They don't have a 5s class so she would repeat the 4s or we would have to look elsewhere. The director told us that each year there are a few kids who do the 4s class again. </p> <p>The class size and teacher ratio is what we are struggling with - 12 kids with a 1:6 ratio or 20 kids with a 1:10 ratio. I worry about dropping her in a large class but she has mastered so much of what the 3s do. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/which-preschool-class#post-2839600 Tue, 14 Aug 2018 08:29:50 +0000 LBee 2839600@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@catgirl: Does the school have a 5's program? If not, would your daughter simply repeat the 4's program curriculum? I would do the 3's just because I couldn't imagine having my son repeat the curriculum. </p> <p>Also, while the school is play based, do they have stated curriculum? Having gone through this with my son (he's a cut off baby), I feel like it would be easy for me to decide by looking at what they learn in each class. For instance in my son's 3's class last year they learned things like: the months, identifying all numbers and letters, writing their names, opening all components of their lunch box on their own. If I was presented with my son skipping the 3's class and knew that, let's say, he was required to do his own lunch from start to finish (i.e. opening his own yogurt), and he wasn't capable of doing that yet, it would be an easy decision. Also, I think with her having never been in school before there are certain things that are just inherent behavior to kids that have been in school - lining up, sitting for story time, etc - that she may have more grace about being in the 3's class. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/which-preschool-class#post-2839580 Tue, 14 Aug 2018 07:21:16 +0000 catgirl 2839580@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Thank you all for your input! So many thoughts I agree with on both sides. We were strongly leaning to the 3s program but this morning I had an email from the director that has us second guessing. She said while either program could be a good fit she would suggest the 4s. So once again we are just really unsure </p> <p>I do know in the 3s program the majority of children have birthdays from April to September, with one LO who will turn four the same week as DD. </p> <p>The majority of the children in the 4s program are already 4-4.5 but there are two children turning four in October. </p> <p>This school is not following the same cut off date as the local public schools so DD would go to elementary school with some kids from both classes. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/which-preschool-class#post-2839559 Mon, 13 Aug 2018 23:32:02 +0000 bhbee 2839559@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My gut would be to choose 3s (but of course you should go with yours!). I’d do it for class size alone, 20 is a lot and could be overwhelming. Having been through play based preschool I actually don’t think their academic level matters that much - the kids do what they want a lot of the time anyway, they can always do extra and it would be nice to stick with the same kids for 2 years (for you also making mom friends). </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/which-preschool-class#post-2839554 Mon, 13 Aug 2018 22:22:27 +0000 Mrs. Turtle 2839554@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>O is a year younger, will be 3 in Nov. Just started daycare/preschool. She's one of the oldest in her 2s class, and is extremely verbal and sharp. But she'd never been in "school" before and had only been cared for by us or my parents. I'm so glad she gets to start in a smaller class with younger kids. The older group is big and rowdy and I could see her being overwhelmed easily there. She's super energetic and fairly loud and rowdy herself when she's super comfortable, but she's not like this at school yet and is having a nice, mellow intro to school. So I'd go with the younger group too. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/which-preschool-class#post-2839516 Mon, 13 Aug 2018 19:35:46 +0000 wrkbrk 2839516@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@catgirl: If I had the option Id start in the older room and move back if necessary. But if it helps, my sons room has a 8 month split between youngest (him) and oldest kid. 18 total. They started today. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/which-preschool-class#post-2839509 Mon, 13 Aug 2018 18:39:29 +0000 Blythe 2839509@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I'd be inclined to put her in with the 4's. Why not challenge her? If the content is difficult, no biggie, she'll have two years to conquer it. And, if the social element is a challenge you could always decide to have her go for two days of the week rather than three until she's gotten into the groove of things. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/which-preschool-class#post-2839507 Mon, 13 Aug 2018 18:38:11 +0000 Iced Tea 2839507@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>One more consideration is the ratios of students to teachers in each class. When I chose the 4s class for my 3 year old, I didn’t realize she’d have a 1:13 ratio instead of 1:8!! Huge difference. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/which-preschool-class#post-2839497 Mon, 13 Aug 2018 18:00:49 +0000 HappyBaker 2839497@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Which class would she enter kindergarten with? I’d probably put her with kids that would be in K with her because the age dynamic will be the same and something she’ll have to get used to - either being one of the oldest or one of the youngest. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/which-preschool-class#post-2839491 Mon, 13 Aug 2018 17:00:23 +0000 Mrsbells 2839491@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Since she is new to all this why not have her try out the 3 class and after a little while reassess if is the best fit for her or if she is ready to jump to 4s </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/which-preschool-class#post-2839472 Mon, 13 Aug 2018 15:38:38 +0000 gotkimchi 2839472@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I would vote the older classroom because at nearly 4 my daughter was ready for 3 days a week and our pediatrician actually recommends 3 days at age 3, 4 at age 4 </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/which-preschool-class#post-2839470 Mon, 13 Aug 2018 15:35:27 +0000 Jennibenni 2839470@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I don't think she would be bored in the 3s because the whole experience will be so new to her, and it's only 2 days a week. It's not like she'll be there M-F 9-5. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/which-preschool-class#post-2839468 Mon, 13 Aug 2018 15:28:11 +0000 gestalt 2839468@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I would decide based on your daughter's personality, rather than her experience with preschool/daycare. Is she super shy? </p> <p>If she is good at following instructions and is in general well-behaved, i don't think it's an issue to be in the 4s class. It's not an academic setting where they are expected to sit all day. I also think it would be fine if she was in the 4s class for an additional year to reinforce what was learned and take on more of a leader role in the classroom. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/which-preschool-class#post-2839466 Mon, 13 Aug 2018 15:11:39 +0000 yin 2839466@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>DS2 has a November birthday, and I had the same problem when first deciding which preschool classroom would be the best fit. I went with the older classroom, and I'm glad that I did. We started him off in the 3's classroom, and about half of his classmates were older 2's, turning 3 by the end of the year. The following year in his 4's classroom I saw the same pattern of about half of his classmates being older 3's, turning 4 in the fall and winter.</p> <p>LO attends a preschool that is more play based, and the teachers are able to work with kids of varying strengths and weaknesses. I don't sense any of the kids being bored or too challenged in the same class. Every student is encouraged to learn at his or her own pace. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/which-preschool-class#post-2839460 Mon, 13 Aug 2018 14:55:27 +0000 periwinklebee 2839460@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@catgirl: I would totally go with your gut based on how you've seen your LO interact with other kids. If she does well in group settings and loves playing with kids who are a bit older or is advanced academically for her age (in skills that the preschool emphasizes), then I'm sure she will thrive in the 4s. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/which-preschool-class#post-2839459 Mon, 13 Aug 2018 14:54:46 +0000 BadgerMom 2839459@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Since you already know she is going to do two years of preschool I would definitely do the 3s. I don't think boredom is a huge issue at this age especially since their focus is learning through art and play. At this point she's really going to learn how to function in a classroom setting with a group of kids and a teacher. Are you sure she's going to actually be one of the oldest? Most of the kids in my DS's 3s preschool class this last year had fall birthdays, so a December would be right in the middle of the pack. (We have a September cutoff in this area fwiw.)</p> <p>ETA. What would you plans be next year if you put her in the 4s class this year? Would she repeat the 4s class again? I'd be more worried about boredom at that point since she'll be used to the classroom/other kids setting by then. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/which-preschool-class#post-2839458 Mon, 13 Aug 2018 14:53:10 +0000 RKitty 2839458@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I'd go with the 3s too. It'll be a big change and the 3s is only two days a week, slightly shorter and lot smaller class size. Some kids going into environments like that can actually get overstimulated from large groups.</p> <p>I wouldn't worry about boredom either she's going to dealing with a big change going to preschool or school before so that should keep her plenty of entertained. </p> <p>And then, I'm assuming, most of the kids will move up with her next year which will help her adjust to more days and bigger classroom. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/which-preschool-class#post-2839456 Mon, 13 Aug 2018 14:49:41 +0000 catgirl 2839456@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@periwinklebee: they don't have students in the summer. So we just went to see the space and meet the director and teachers. It's the same teachers for both classes - two day a week is tues/thurs and three day a week is m/w/f. </p> <p>The 3s class does seem geared towards younger kids - they talked about introducing letters to the kids but DD already can recognize all letters and knows all of there sounds. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/which-preschool-class#post-2839455 Mon, 13 Aug 2018 14:46:33 +0000 catgirl 2839455@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mamaof2: not likely based on what the director said. There is one open spot in the 4s program and if we don't take it someone likely will. And they very rarely have students leave mid year. </p> <p>@JennyPenny: @looch: thanks. The class size was definitely something we were worried about in the 4s. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/which-preschool-class#post-2839454 Mon, 13 Aug 2018 14:44:53 +0000 periwinklebee 2839454@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Did you have a chance to observe in both rooms? The smaller class size would be really attractive to me, especially for a first-time experience in a group setting, so I would probably only choose the 4s if I liked the teachers a lot better, or if I thought the threes classroom was really geared towards the youngest ones in the class for some reason. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/which-preschool-class#post-2839453 Mon, 13 Aug 2018 14:42:49 +0000 snowjewelz 2839453@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My gut says to start with 3s also if she has never been in a school setting, and esp if she's isn't going to k till 2020. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/which-preschool-class#post-2839452 Mon, 13 Aug 2018 14:41:51 +0000 looch 2839452@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Since you already know you're doing 2 years of preschool, I'd start with the 3s program.</p> <p>20 kids is a lot in a 4s program, I'd want to give my son the chance to get adapted in a smaller setting. I wouldn't worry about boredom, I'd worry more about the transition to having to be one of 12 or 20 kids in a room. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/which-preschool-class#post-2839448 Mon, 13 Aug 2018 14:32:50 +0000 JennyPenny 2839448@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I would also go with 3s primarily because of class size. With this being her first time in a daycare/preschool setting I think the smaller class size would be an easier transition. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/which-preschool-class#post-2839447 Mon, 13 Aug 2018 14:31:35 +0000 Mamaof2 2839447@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Can you start her in the 3’s and move up in a few months? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/which-preschool-class#post-2839445 Mon, 13 Aug 2018 14:25:03 +0000 catgirl 2839445@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Foodnerd81: thanks for your thoughts! It's funny we went with the intention of the 3s program because we didn't think the 4s was an option. I know she isn't that old but some of the kids in the 3s program are turning 3 the month school starts. It just feels like a huge gap. </p> <p>I think she does a bit better when she is one of the younger kids but she has only been in situations when all parents are present, so hard to say. She would in theory do the 4s program twice if she did it this year. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/which-preschool-class#post-2839442 Mon, 13 Aug 2018 14:19:49 +0000 Foodnerd81 2839442@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My gut would say do the 3’s, especially since most kids in the 4’s have had a year of preschool already. And then next year she moves up to a different class as well. 3 years 8 months isn’t that old- it’s not like she’s 3 years 11 months. </p> <p>Of course you know your kid best. Does she do better with kids who are older than her or younger? Also what would she do the next year if you do fours this year? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/which-preschool-class#post-2839438 Mon, 13 Aug 2018 14:14:06 +0000 catgirl 2839438@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We toured a preschool this morning that we really like. It is small, simple and has a heavy focus on art and play. We know we want to sign DD up but they surprised us by saying DD could enter either their 3s or 4s program. They have some flexibility based on DD's birthday and current enrollment.</p> <p>DD is 3 years 8 months (will turn 4 in December). She has never been in daycare or school. With the cut off in our town (and really all surrounding towns) she will start kindergarten in 2020. So will be doing two years of preschool. </p> <p>The 3s program meets two days a week from 8:30-11:45. They will have a max of 12 kids. </p> <p>The 4s program meets three days a week from 8:30-12. They will have a max of 20 kids. </p> <p>We are worried she will be bored in the 3s as one of the oldest. But are concerned she will be a bit behind the other kids in the 4s program who have likely had a year of preschool before. </p> <p>Looking for any insight/opinions? Which would you choose. </p>