What are everyone's plans for Preschool?

[jnezmama02]

We plan to send Jessie and Emily to a Montessori preschool.  Jessie should start next year (she'll be 3yrs 8mos when school starts), but we still haven't heard if there's a space available (there's a waitlist). Beyond that, we're not sure if she'll be "ready" yet. For this preschool, she has to be potty-trained...but she's still not yet. Also, we're not sure if she's going to be ready to be away from home for 3hrs everyday.  We may have to wait another year.

What are everyone else's plans (for those w/ babies)?  For those with older kids, did you send them to preschool and if so, what kind was it? 

[kiskar]

Oh, I just posted this on the poll, but basically, I've considered starting Benjamin in Montessori at age 2 since he's in daycare full-time now. They offer extended care and the pricing isn't too far off. We haven't made any decisions yet, but I have written for brochures and have made a list of schools I'd like to tour.

K.

[moogie]

I'm interested in Montessori schools a little.  If c were to go to a school then i think it'd probably be a montessori one.

[Marnie]

My 3yo DD has just started 2 days a week at our local community preschool.  I like it - as far as preschools go - but she is not all that fussed and would rather spend time with her homeschooled big sister and me.  She thinks she is missing out on all the interesting things we do when she is not with us.

So I am considering pulling her out :-)

My advice would be to go and visit each preschool you are considering for your child.  I went to several and there was  an enormous difference in the "feel" of the different places.  One was very task oriented and a 3yo child was kept doing a particular thing even though he had lost all interest in it and really wanted to do something else.  One, the staff couldn't wait for me to leave.  Another, they were happy for us to stay all day and watch and join in if we wanted to.

[jnezmama02]

Also, I just wanted to say that there is a big difference between those who profess to follow the Montessori method and those that are fully certified Montessori schools. The first is just want that uses some of her methods (as do most preschools); the latter has teachers that have the required education and additional training in the Montessori method that is taught by one of the Montessori governing bodies.

Here's a link to search for "official" montessori schools:
http://www.montessoriconnections.com/schoolsdirectory.shtml

And, like Marnie says, you obviously need to tour the schools to make sure the "feel" of the place is right. We toured the school we picked for Jessie and just knew it was right for her. For us, it comes down to 1. do they have a space for her and 2. when this fall comes, will she be ready. We might have to wait until the next year if she doesn't get potty-trained or is still needing to be with me. I'm just not sure yet. We're thinking more and more that we'll need to wait another year.

[vbsmith]

I used to be against the idea of preschool.  But, after joining my new church and just loving the nursery there, I registered her for the fall.  She'll only be going once a week so I think I can handle that.  I'm interested in learning what everyone's take is. 

[HanoiHelle]

We just took Camilla Marie to her first day of toddler "pre-school." We're considering taking her 2 times/week. It's a small group - 4-6 kids - and a short session - 2 hours - and parents or nannies can be there, too. She seemed to like it. It was totally low key.

I think she's getting bored staying at home with us or her nanny all day. She loves to go out and see people and other kids. Of course, they can't play together, but I think there's a lot of learning involved by just being around other kids.