https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Sun, 10 May 2026 05:20:13 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/which-preschool-option#post-2798749 Mon, 22 Jan 2018 09:04:12 +0000 ElbieKay 2798749@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Our current model is (2). My son gets picked up by a sitter at 2:30 (used to be 1pm when he was younger) and she watches him until I get home. I love it because she gives him his bath and dinner and also does his laundry and some other light housework. It really cuts down on my overhead at home. The only real difference is that we can walk to our school so there is no driving required for the job.</p> <p>ETA: I know there is more key man risk with a nanny but conversely the nanny can work when your son is sick. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/which-preschool-option#post-2798614 Sun, 21 Jan 2018 09:52:17 +0000 macintosh 2798614@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Thanks, everyone. I am leaning towards option 1 currently, with the Park district daycare since it’s cheaper and close to my house, but still has a good reputation. I feel like there’s too much that could go wrong with hiring a sitter like some pp have said. I could ask our former nanny who babysits occasionally, but paying her regular rate would be more than FT daycare.</p> <p>There’s always the possibility to do the preschool program at the primary school the following year when he’s 4, making the transition to K easier. I wonder if DS would be mature enough at 4 that DH could watch him. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/which-preschool-option#post-2798607 Sun, 21 Jan 2018 08:47:29 +0000 Pollywog 2798607@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Option 3 won't work. As someone who works from home 3 days a week, planning to work during nap is a guarantee of a loud "mama! " during an important call. </p> <p>I'd do option 2 if possible. It would be cheaper than daycare and would get him used to his new school. You wouldn't be the only parent in this boat, so hopefully you could nanny share. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/which-preschool-option#post-2798605 Sun, 21 Jan 2018 08:26:58 +0000 jhd 2798605@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I would not do option 3. I work PT from home and it has actually become increasingly difficult to get anything done with my 3 year old at home. He plays well independently but doesn’t always nap anymore. That just sounds like way too much stress for you. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/which-preschool-option#post-2798603 Sun, 21 Jan 2018 07:45:47 +0000 autumnleaves 2798603@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Some full time daycares are like preschool. I switched from a daycare that didn't seem to offer much and had a lot of transition with staff to one that I feel my kids are learning so much at and having fun with low teacher turnover and teachers that are so awesome.<br /> I considered part-time options like you but ended up sticking with full time daycare. I think the costs were similar for me when I had to consider hiring help to watch my kids after the part-time program ends. Then thinking of the additional paper work with hiring part-time care and the time to find someone I trust, I decided going with the full-time daycare was better for me.<br /> Good luck! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/which-preschool-option#post-2798602 Sun, 21 Jan 2018 07:31:13 +0000 Anagram 2798602@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>What's the monetary difference between options 1 and 2 for you, and is that a consideration? </p> <p>I think I remember that you've had a nanny before, so you know the potential pitfalls when going that route--when nannies are good it's great and when they are unreliable or not a good fit, it's awful. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/which-preschool-option#post-2798600 Sun, 21 Jan 2018 07:10:30 +0000 looch 2798600@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I would go with option 1. It will be complicated enough when kindergarten starts, take the benefit of all day, all in one place care while you can. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/which-preschool-option#post-2798596 Sun, 21 Jan 2018 01:27:45 +0000 zojirushi 2798596@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I'd personally go with option 1 - It feels like it would be so much easier to have your kiddo in one place during the day. But option 2 sounds fine too. I'm with everyone else - the option 3 plan just sounds like a lot to juggle! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/which-preschool-option#post-2798594 Sun, 21 Jan 2018 00:24:20 +0000 Jennibenni 2798594@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Option 3 sounds awful. I would not want to add that stress and inflexibility to my day. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/which-preschool-option#post-2798592 Sat, 20 Jan 2018 23:54:34 +0000 JCCovi 2798592@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Option 2 sounds the best. Would you still be saving money over a full-time daycare? Any SAHMs who would be using the same preschool program and want to watch your kid after school? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/which-preschool-option#post-2798548 Sat, 20 Jan 2018 17:46:22 +0000 bhbee 2798548@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Option 3 could be stressful i think ... i used to work part time at home and only had daycare the 3 days i went to the office. I had a pretty flexible job but sometimes it was rough and often i had to make up time in late evening or super early morning. I scheduled all calls and things where i couldn’t be interrupted for the 3 days. I did love being home with her more time though. </p> <p>Does #2 make sense financially? Seems like that could be easiest to still get the preschool ... you could have the 5 days covered, but also have the option if it makes sense to eventually scale back your babysitter to 3 or 4 days and still do one afternoon yourself. But that way you’d have at least 3 days in office all day without having to run out. I think breaking up every day will be hard. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/which-preschool-option#post-2798518 Sat, 20 Jan 2018 16:35:50 +0000 macintosh 2798518@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>It's a little far off, but I need to make a decision regarding next school year for my soon-to-be 3-year-old. I'd love to be able to save some money, but I also want him to be challenged and in a supportive environment.</p> <p>Our district has a Preschool for All program that my son has qualified for. It's 5 days, but only half day. There is no aftercare and he does't qualify for bussing. On the other hand, I loved everyone I met there and it's at the primary school where he will attend kindergarten, and he would have only accredited teachers.</p> <p>He's currently in daycare full-time but he's also on 2 waiting lists for full-time private daycare programs. He should be able to start one of those programs in May/June after his birthday. None of these programs provide transportation or a half day rate, but they could be done part-time (such as 3 days a week).</p> <p>In my mind I have 3 options:</p> <p>1: Move him to a new full-time daycare, since the current one isn't very well managed in terms of curriculum and communication. </p> <p>2: Enroll him in half-day preschool in August and hire someone privately to pick him up and do aftercare.</p> <p>3: Enroll him in half-day preschool AND 3 days per week at private daycare. I would handle all pick-ups on my lunch break, and I would work from home 2 afternoons a week while he (hopefully) naps. I'm not even sure if that would work for my company, but I'd have to wait and see.</p> <p>Any thoughts? I'd hate to pass up the preschool opportunity, but I feel like it could cause a lot of stress coordinating transportation. </p>