4-Days-a-week Too Much for 2Yr Old?

I think it depends on the child. But I don't think I would start out with 4 days a week. I would build up to it.

I run a preschool and that is too much in my opinion DEPENDING ON THE PROGRAM.

I do home daycare too, and of course have young 2's in my daycare when I do the preschool for the older kids. I can do a great circle time that includes them, art projects that include them and they have a great time. BUT they have also been in daycare since infancy. For a child that has NEVER been away from mommy, that is a lot to ask. Most kids in that situation do a mom/tot type class first to ease them into it. And most 3 yr old preschool programs are only 2 days a week, 5 hours total each week.

I didn't even know anyone in the area offered a 2 yr old preschool program. IMO "preschool" at that age is not needed.

Hi C., I agree with the other moms. Everyone is different. If you have no problems with seperation then go ahead. Early learning is so important! My youngest had a speech problem so he started preschool at the age of 2. A school bus came and picked him up 3 days a week and he was gone 3 hrs a day because of the bus ride and he just loved it. By the time he got home it was time for lunch and a nap! And then mommy and me time. He will be 7 on Sunday and is a very smart child, and started learning early. If you and your daughter are ready go ahead. If for some reason she can't handle it then you can always pull her back out and wait a year, there will be no harm in trying. But don't pull her out because you are having a hard time :) Good Luck

i'm guessing you've gotten a lot of feed back already... i never remember to check first!

as a former preschool teacher and adminsitrator, i think it all depends on the child. it's a short program day and if she's outgoing and it's a well-run program it should be great! i totally agree about the consistency part! our 2 year old (turned 2 in december) is going to start in march (they didn't have space prior to that) and i'd've started her 3 days (they have 2, 3 and 5 days) w/o thinking twice had that been an option.

go with your gut, though. good luck!

Technically, I don't think it is considered preschool until they are 3. This is according to the Illinois Public School System's regulations. One thing Blago did during his tenure that was actually good was moving preschool under the public school system umbrella, so that all children are entitled to receive this schooling for "free". However, they must be 3 years of age by Sept 1 of the current school year in order to participate and be potty trained. (If what you are considering is a private school, then I am not sure about the regulations for this.)

That being said, what I think you are looking into is really day care. Plenty of parents put their children into daycare every day of the week, all day, starting at 3 months of age in some cases. So I don't think 4 days a week is too much for a 2 year old.

Good luck with your decision!

I would start with 2 days and work my way up to more when she's older. Of course it depends on the child, but there is no reason to push the school thing so early.

The big kids spend so much time in school, just enjoy having her home with you. As you know, she will grow up way too fast.

No - 2 hours a day for a 4 day week is fine. It still leaves you plenty of time for your own interaction with her and it's still a great opportunity for her to learn how to interact with other children. I think that's the important thing - that you're still spending quality time with them when they're between 2 and 3.

My 4 yr old daughter started preschool at 3, but I would have had no problems starting her earlier if not for financial reasons. And my 2.5 yr son - i put him in childcare for a while at 3 days a week (usually about 3 to 3.5 hour periods) when he was a little under 2. He was fine and really enjoyed the interaction with others close to his age.

Hi C.. Every Mom is different -- just like every child is different -- so this is extremely subjective!

When my daughter turned 2 last year, I was no where near ready to let her go for that much time apart from me. It wasn't until she turned 2 1/2 that I put her in a 1 1/2 hr, one day a week program. But that's just me. I have a good friend who put her 2 year old in a 3-day a week program for 2hr/day as soon as she possibly could...and she was a better, happier Mom for it.

I guess I figure that my kids have at least 13 years of schooling ahead of them, so why push them out of the house so early? On the other hand, I've heard from a 1st grade teacher that children who have been in daycare/early preschool programs do much better entering 1st grade, from an adjustment and socialization standpoint. At this age, I think most kids can adapt to anything -- so do what's best for you and your family! Best wishes!

hi that is a hard decision. i am leaning towards four days being too much for a young two year old. consistency is important but they are in school so long already and my fear would getting bored or burned out of preschool by the time shes four.

Only you know your daughter. If it is during a time she is usually active and playing at home, then there should not be an issue with her ability to handle it. If it would interupt her sleep schedule or force her to do things (push potty training) beyond her ablity, then that is something to watch out for. But consistency and routine at this age is important and 2 hours is not an extended period of time. Dr. Maria Montessori developed much about this age and you can read about the benifits to this for a child of her age. If we had the means and it fit our schedule, I would start my daughter who turned two last week in a program with this type of schedule.

I think it is up to you and what works best for your family. There are many kids that do daycare all day/5 days a week. That is similar to preschool really. I have my son in a 2's program but they only offer it 2 days a week for 1.5 hours at a time. He loves it and it's the perfect amount of time in my opinion. But, I'm a SAHM and his older brother is with me and it's nice to get some one on one time with him while the younger one is at school. Also, it's really great for my youngest to socialize and get used to being without mommy all the time. So, I think preschool at age 2 is a great choice and I'm glad we have that option. 4 days a week seems like a lot to me, but if you think about kids in daycare all day it really isn't that much time at all. So, do what you feel is best. Kids at this age typically love school- as long as they don't have bad separation anxiety. They enjoy it and it's all fun, play based learning.

It may be too much. Could you sign her up for 2 days a week and then add on if she likes it.

Where are you finding a preschool program for a 2 year old? most preschool programs start at 3 yr old 2 days a week and 4 year olds 3 days a week. although there are a couple that have 5 day programs. but have never except for a daycare situation such as goddard school or kindercare type places seen a program for 2 year olds. just wondering where you found one that took children as young as 2 for an actual preschool program.

Hi C.,
I haven't read all over the responses, so sorry if you've already heard this. When I was looking at programs for my little ones I was told the following guidelines: you should go by age, two years old-two days a week, 3 year old- 3 days, etc. My 4 year old is in 4 days a week, & that is enough for him! Your little one will be two & getting almost the same amount of school. Looking back I would not change the amount of "school" my 4 year old has had. I really enjoyed having time with him & slowly increasing his schedule. I will do the same with my younger kids. They grow so quickly, don't push it, enjoy these first few years!

My girls have all gone to preschool at age 2 - M-W-F from 9a-12p and have loved it. They would go every day if they could! I remember some crying on Tues and Thurs because they couldn't go. While every child is different, like the others said, I have not seen one child in the school at 2 that was still crying for mom to stay with him/her after about a week or two. There will be a transition for most kids - be prepared for it - and when you drop her off the first day give a hug and kiss, say goodbye and I'll be back soon and leave. All teachers will say that if you prolong the goodbye, it makes it worse. No one is crying when you come back for them! This may go on for a week or two, but don't let that deter you. My first one actually just said "goodbye mom" on the first day and never cried. My second one cried for about 2-3 weeks at drop offs. But in the end, they both loved it equally. My third one will be starting the 2 year old preschool in September.

I just wanted to add that no, our preschool is not daycare and no, the kids do not need to be potty trained to go there. There are true preschools out there for 2 year olds that aren't potty trained so moms if you are being told they only start at 3 and they have to be trained and you want your child in one, keep looking! I certainly wouldn't say that any 2 year old NEEDS preschool. What I will say that is that mine and all the 2 year olds in their classes have all LOVED preschool at that age. It certainly can't hurt them, it can only help.

For a lot of 2 year olds it would be fine. Just expect some personality changes and stay very patient. My second daughter started pre-school (2 days a week, 2-1/2 hours at a time)at age 3-1/2 last September and could not wait! Everything was going so well, she loved it. Then in December she started having issues with her behavior. She started melting down and acting up at home, not cooperating, being mouthy, pushing, disrupted sleep. This was totally out of her normal personality. Now in February, we are just started to get back to normal. This also happened with my oldest daughter, just not so severe.

My son was almost 4 when we enrolled in "wee folks" 2 days a week for 2 hours. This year he is enrolled 3 days a week for 2 1/2 hours. This fall he will enter kindergarten and go 5 days a week for 2 1/2 hours. I think a gradual progression is better. However, if you feel that your child is ready then you could let her try it for a couple of weeks and see how she does. Ultimately, you will know what she is comfortable and willing to do. Good luck.

Hi there, I know you got a lot of responses but I have my now 2 1/2 year old daughter in a pre-school program for 2 hours 3 times a week and she loves it. She has developed so much it is incredible. it has helped her language skills, her socialization with other children and she is stimulated in a way I would find hard to do at home.

I know a lot of the response stated its daycare but its not. Our school is a program specifically developed for 2 year old to introduce school and teach them things like colors, numbers, opposites etc. in a playful environment. They have circle time everyday where they discuss the weather, the color of the day, read a story etc. Then they do gross and fine motor activities, they do art everyday and they get to play either outside or in the big gym depending on how cold it is.

I know a lot op people think 2 is to early but you know your child and my daughter was definitely ready for more than a occasional class or activity could provide. We feel it was the best decision we ever made.

I hope this helps.

I personally think it's too much but on the other hand there are lots of kids who go to daycare daily. Preschool and daycare aren't really the same thing but have a lot in common. I think it depends on the child and why you feel this is best for them. My son just turned 2 on the 2nd and he's been home with me since he was born, I think him all of a sudden being gone for 2 hrs 4 days a week would be a huge problem for him.

Well this is just an example to think about:

My children, as well as, most of the members of my church put their kids in the nurseries Sunday morning through Sunday school and Sunday service...that's a little over two hours. Then Sunday night for about an hour and half and finally again on Wednesday night for about an hour to an hour and half.

They have been doing this since they were infants. My children have had short moments of anxiety when switching classes, but they always get over it. That's three times during the week and more if we have any special programs or conferences at church.

My oldest started kindergarten this year with no trepidations. She was perfectly fine getting on the bus and going to school all day.

If that's what you want to do then I'm sure it will be fine. Besides it's no different than those parents that have to put their kids in daycare all day due to financial situations. I'm not a big fan of daycare, but sometimes it has to be done and most kids survive okay.

I think your 2 year old will be fine if you need to do something during those two hour periods.

I would look for a play group that meets a few times a week as the pre-schools I'm familiar with don't take children until they are three and require they be potty trained. You don't mention if you work or not. Many day cares do pre-school like curriculum with their two year olds.

No..its not too much. I run a daycare and see all sorts of schedules. Ideally..three days at 3 - 4 hours each visit would be the way to go. They will get the consistency and the curriculum too. 2 hours really isn't enough time (expecially if she is potty training). The teacher will need more time to work with her.

No that would be perfect not too much time away from Mom but able to socialize with children Her own age. This will help Her learnn to share and communicate with others. Good idea gives you some free time for yourself.

Hi C.,

In my opinion, yes that is too much. My son is 3 and he goes just twice a week for 2 1/2 hours, and it is more than enough. But if your daughter loves to get out and go places, and is fairly independent, she might be able to handle it. You can always try it, and see if you think she's adjusting to it well.

In my opinion, yes - that is too much. I'll be enrolling my daughter in preschool in the fall at age three and we are expecting to start her at two days a week and work up slowly from there until Kindergarten. She's already transitioning up to it in a class she's in now.

But, if you feel she's ready, and the school will let you (mine wouldn't - they'd say she's way too young yet), then it's obviously your call. Some kids do thrive with more group kid interaction...