I was just wondering if anyone has decided to not send their kids to preschool. I just got back from preschool screening and Ana scored high enough to actually go to kindergarden, but she's not old enough. There is only one preschool within a 20 mile radius, registation for that is on the 28 th. I don't know how expensive that would be. The public school only has preschool for kids that don't score well during their screening, like I said Ana did too well. My husband told me that if we have to pay for preschool he doesn't see the point in sending her. I was just wondering what everyone else thinks.

In my opinion preschool is about learning social skills and the basics a child needs to know before going into kindergarten. She tested fine so she doesn't sound like she needs any further education before kindergarten. How does she do in play groups? Can she sit and follow rules? Does she play well with others? If so I wouldn't pay for preschool. They are plenty of free places to get together with other kids her age--library, park, zoo, children's museums, etc. I say keep working with her yourself and save your money for now.

This is just my opinion, but I'm not a big proponent of preschool. Unless something changes, my 3 1/2 year old will be starting kindergarten right at 5 without having attended preschool. However, my 18 month old will be almost 6 before he starts kindergarten because of the cut-off so I might put him in a pre-K program when he turns 5. I think we sometimes put too much pressure on our kids at too young an age. There are definitely situations where preschool can be helpful (and even recommended), but I just don't think it's necessary for every child. Just my two cents.

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Stephanie
Mom to: Caleb (8-27-2003), Ian (9-28-2005), & Baby Boy #3 (EDD 11-9-2008)

I think preschool is important to kids and prepares them for "school". DD started pre-k in the fall. We were lucky to be in a district that offers pre-k to all kids in the district at no charge. They even provide transportation (school bus) just like they were in school. It has helped DD so much. Her social skills have gotten better and she has learned so much. The way it was explained to me is that pre-k is the new kindergarten. The things WE used to do in K they now do in pre-k and so on. It has also gotten her into a routine. When she starts K she will be full day and will have to be ready for the bus at 7:40. So she will have to get up, get dressed, and eat breakfast and ready to walk out the door at 7:30.

Not me. Its too expensive for us right now and we only have 1 car. Sucks... cause Im sure Bay would do great in preschool.

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There is no 4 K here they said they were trying to but couldn't get the district to fund it yet.

None of my 4 kids have/will ahve gone to pre-school. It sounds like she's ready for school and as long as she can follow dierctions, interact with other kids, etc. I wouldn't worry about it. It totally agree with deemom. take this last year you will ahve with her & go to the park, the zoo, the museums, library & enjoy it~ that's my $0.02 worth anyway!

I think it definitely gives a child a leg up, but I wish they weren't so darned expensive!

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The Really Needy, Special, Networking and Talking Mod

This is exactly how I feel. My 5 yr old didn't go to preschool or Pre-K. She's very intelligent, and we work on social skills in play groups, at the park, at library story times, and in church. I think we will be getting her involved in a summer play group through our community center also, to help her work on following directions and interacting with other kids her own age. Her 3 yr old twin sisters are great, but they're still not the same age as she is.

Lily (one of the twins) will probably go to a summer preschool program this year to continue working on her PT, OT, and ST issues. I chose not to send her during the winter months because she gets sick so easily, but I also know she needs additional therapies. I'm sure we'll be hitting therapy hard this summer while she's at her healthiest!

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It makes me happy to see all of you that think it's ok to not send her to preschool. With how much pressure out there that says that they need to go, this makes me feel so much better. Thank You!