We just moved to a brand new area and are living in a temporary apartment near my hubby's work, while we look for a home in another town up to 1 hour away from here. We have a 3 year old, and would like her to start preschool this year. I'm not sure if it's best to start her in a nearby preschool while we're living here so that she can start school right away, because once we buy a home, we'd have to transfer to a new one in the new town. (It's not realistic to start her in the new town yet because of the drive and because we don't know exactly where we'll be). Or is it better to just wait until we find a home and are settled and start her in preschool later in the year? I don't know how stressful it would be for a kid to start school late, or to change schools. This is our second move already this summer, so I want to do what's best for her, but don't want her to miss out on school either!
She misses her friends from home, and I just signed her up for some classes through parks & rec and the zoo, for some interaction with kids. Hopefully that will help too!
I would definitely wait until you move and are in a more permanent situation. She isn't missing out on anything yet, and being home with mom and taking advantage of this short time of unscheduled time with your young child is most beneficial to both of you.
It sounds like you know how to keep busy and have fun, she will have plenty of time to go to school when you are settled in your new town.
preschool at 3 is all about social interaction and learning to follow directions etc. it won't hurt to start a little late. If you have already moved twice I would say wait till your in the new place to avoid yet one more disruption.
Definitely wait. My daughter started in the middle of a year when she was 3-1/2 and there weren't any problems. Moving is stressful enough ... best not to add changing schools to the mix. Good luck!
it woudlnt' hurt to start interviewing preschols to make sure youfind one youl ove. and while you are at it find out if they have waiting lists were you have to sign up a year in advancet o get a spot or if they frequently have openings during the year. THAt would be my only concern, that might lean me to at least pay for a spot where you THINK you might be living. I probably wouldnt start her where you are nwo and then pull her if you are 99% sure you will be leaving in less than 4 mos. Usually it takes a 3 yo Atleast 2 months if not 3 to get very comfortable where they are. but it depends on yiour childs tempermant
I agree with the other mamas. Wait. Otherwise, she will be leaving another set of friends and will possibly not want to try to make new friends....a lack of trust issue. We are moving to another state next week and am excited to start our daughter in a new preschool, but she is already mourning the loss of her current friends. I can't imagine doing it to her twice.
Best of luck with finding the perfect house and the best preschool for your daughter. Keep her interaction with other kids and she will be just fine as far as the academia. :)
My thoughts on this are keep giving her the opportunities offered by the parks and recreation district for now. Preschool isn't such a big deal at age three. It's during the year just before they start Kindergarten that it becomes more meaningful. If she's an older three and will be starting K next year, it still isn't critical to have her in preschool immediately. Most preschools are structured in such a way that it isn't a problem at all for them to 'start late'. They have pretty much a year-round type of learning curriculum and she can simply fit in whenever you start her. Meantime, the experiences she's getting socially (and some academically) from the parks and recreation programs are doing her good. Also spend time reading and other activities with her at home. Don't make it a boring 'academic' time. Just keep on teaching her through fun activities and she'll do fine. I see you are in the San Francisco area, so definitely plan to take her to places there that will be enriching too. Golden Gate park alone has enough enrichement activities to take up several weeks worth of family "field trips" for her.
