Age - Clayton,IN

My son was in a day care and moved to the preschool room at 3 years old. He was only there part time. I gotta tell ya, at 3 the best way to learn is play and every school you send him to is going to say that. Directed, and undirected play is very important for this age group, but also learning to socialize and be around other kids in a school setting before kindergarten. Of all the schools I visited, most do circle time, some sort of lesson and then the rest of the time is kind of playing in centers with the other kids.
Most schools also say they have to be completely potty trained before starting preschool.
Just some thoughts!

My kids' birthdays fall in the same time frame. One is the end of November and the other in December. I know in our area (Toledo, Oh area) the kids are not allowed to start preschool until they are already 3. The same goes for Kindergarten. They can't start unless they turn 5 by the end of September. Both of my kids started thier first years of preschool when they were almost 4, and kindergarten when they are almost 6.

I think they have to be three by september, but I found a mothers day out program that starts them if they are 2 1/2 by september. It is only 2 mornings a week, but it will be good for his social development and speech delay so I am considering it. You might try the mother's day out route. It is usually even a little less expensive.

i think kindergarten is WAY too soon... i'm not putting my kids in preschool. we have plenty of playdates, trips to the science museum, music class, etc that are good interaction and learning environments for them, and i think the thing young children need the most is their mother.

just my opinion.

I am not sure where you are at but My son goes to a preschool in Noblesville Indiana. Since this year is almost over, it runs from sept to the end of may and can be either 2,3 or 5 days a week from 9-1. They have a moms day out program and my son who was 29 months at the time he started started in a regular class. He has done great. They also though have a curriculum with the regular recess and art time story time, ect. and they dont have to be potty trained at that time either. That one is at Emmanuel United Methodist Chirch and Ruth ann is the director - BEST PLACE my kids have ever gone. I know of another preschool in Castleton that also takes kids that are 2 1/2. I dont think that its too young to start them getting accustomed to being around other people and just socializing. Good luck.

Every place I checked into where I live, the child had to be potty trained regardless of age unless it was a daycare that offered preschool to their children. The school I chose for my daughter, states that the child must be three by July 1st. (Her birthday was the end of June) My daughter was the first born and first grandchild all the way around. She had no one to play with her age. This was the perfect solution to help her socialize with her own age group. She went three days a week for three hours each day. It was the best thing I could have done for her. Everything they did was fun, but they learned alot. She always came home excited about what they did that day. By the end of the year she could recognize and write her own name. She is almost done with her second year and will be starting Kindergarden in the fall.

I think that your son my be way too young to start preschool. Your son has a late birthday, so with that being said, he will be 3 yrs. going on 4 when he is ready and able to be accepted into a program. It is never too early to start looking though... . My son has a late september birthday and will probably be one of the oldest kids in his class, as well. He is 3 1/2 and will start preschool this fall, and then will turn 4 shortly there after. He will be doing 2 yrs. of preschool since he will miss the Kindergarten cut-off. Which will be good for him...more socialization in a controlled and stimulating environment at a more appropriate age.

Preschools, opposed to daycares, should have daily lesson plans to guide them through their day of play. Yes, children do learn best thru play, but, there needs to be a purpose and some guidance for their learning. So look for that!

Your son is still at the "parallel play" stage at the age of 2. Playing and learning with a group of other small children is often difficult. 2 year olds don't really interact yet with their peers...this starts to happen at 3. Their imaginations take off and they usually start making friends and tend to want to play together more. Sharing is never easy, but it does get easier during the preschool years as well.

Hope this helps in your decision making...