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A dumb stress (baby related)
This is so weird, but apparently you have to plan well in advance for pre-school. Because, you know, there are wait lists for half days of singing, finger painting, and play time to the tune of $15k a year.
Anyway.
So we are looking. I have narrowed it down to 2 schools to visit. There is another I'd like to consider but it is hella expensive and because we are not alumni of the high school that the pre-school is affiliated with, he gets last priority for admission. It sounds a little too hoity toity for my taste.
1 preschool is in the neighborhood where we live now. As long as we are renting, we'll likely stay in this area.
The other is across downtown in another suburb, where, if we buy a house here, this is where we will likely end up (because the public schools are best there).
We have to tour and get our applications in February/March 2012 for the school year (Aug 2012). My goal was to keep him home for 2 years so this works pretty well.
So I am feeling a little stress with regard to figuring out our housing plan late this fall so when we tour the pre-schools we will have an idea of where we are living and which will be the place we send him. Our lease is up in December and we do a month to month at that point.
The schools are both top ranked, so I am not concerned about liking them- one is Montessori and one is more of a rigorous academic setting. I have no idea which will work better for his personality as of yet.
I just needed to get that off my chest.
Re: A dumb stress (baby related)
We could! Except the app fees are a little high and I'm cheap. But if we're already spending that on tuition, what's another few hundred...
Yikes, a few hundred to apply to two schools? You'd think we're talking college here and not pre-school!
I agree that it's kind of crazy how far in advance you have to start planning for your kid's pre-school--practically before they're out of the womb, it seems. I agree with MrsC though that it seems like you've already made a lot of progress on the research side of things and you sound like you're ahead of the game overall, so kudos!
Take comfort in the fact that you've got two good options and, at worst, it might mean a little more driving for a while until you can switch schools (if possible).
It's a shame that they are so expensive! I was just having a conversation with the Kindergarten team at my school about pre-school and what Kindergarten teachers expect when children come to school. "Rigorous academics" was not one of their requirements. Basic knowledge of colors, counting and letter recognition are great. The ability to write their own name even better, but beyond that, the socialization is so much more important. A child that is emotionally ready to go to school is, usually, going to do fine.
Montessori scares me a little... but I think that's just because I could not teach in that environment. (When I have a music class, I want all of my students to participate, not decide for themselves at 6 if they "want" to do music.) Sorry if that sounds terrible, but I think sometimes kids need to learn that they are expected to participate and give their best effort regardless of the activity in school. (I need to step down off my soap box before I get in trouble.)
I'm sure, regardless of your choice, that little one will be well loved and ready for Kindergarten!
I agree to a point, which is why I would not keep in in Montessori past the age of 4. Come 4K, he needs to be in a more structured environment. That way when he enters Kindergarten at age 5, he is used to the routine and expectations.
This Montessori goes up to the 6th grade and I can imagine what a difficult transition it would be going from that environment to regular junior high where all of a sudden you have a hard stop and mandatory performance in subjects!
But I like the concept for 2 and 3 year olds a lot!
I can totally see it working for 2 & 3 year olds... That makes sense. The transition from 6th grade into a public middle school would be so difficult. I have seen a few children who have been home schooled transition into fifth grade and that's also a nightmare.
Wow, Punky, that is insane.
You scared me a little, so I went and looked up some local preschools and they all seem to be accepting applications for enrollment this fall (as in, for any kid who will be 3 by Dec 1).
I was just wondering if I should keep him home for 3 years instead. But I kind of worry about his social development at that point.
He's way too young for me to worry now, but last weekend, he was playing with a truck at the beach and his little friend took it away and played with it and N started bawling his eyes out until someone gave him the truck back!
I have that kid. LOL.
I know you're not, but I really wouldn't read into it. DS has started crying if I take something from him that he wanted or stop him from climbing something he shouldn't. I've started redirecting with high value items- the tv remote with no batteries in it or DH's old cell phone (which we charge so it still turns on and lights up when he presses buttons!)
Aren't they just getting into the "stranger danger" age, too?
He's definitely in an "I want mama" phase.
It secretly DELIGHTS me that he cries every time annoying friend holds him. DELIGHTS me.
I think I would be the same way! Ha ha ha.
Hehe that is so funny!
Ha! I'd be the same way.