What Age Did Your Child Start Preschool?

My 6 yo started school when he was 3 1/2 (he started in January - we thought he wasn't ready at 3, and he probably would have benefited from starting in the fall that year.) My 3yo will start in September and he will be 4 in November. (so son #2 will get 2 full years of preschool before K, because of his late bday, while son #2 got 18 months.)

My son will start this Fall (he will be 4 in September). He will be going to a pre-school program through our park district. He will go this year and next year (his birthday is after the cut off) we could of sent him last fall also but he was not potty trained.

My 3 daughters went to preschool at age 3. As long as they are potty trained they can start school.

My son went about 2 months before he turned 3. There wasn't a screening or anything. He went two days a week for 3 hours each time. He was the youngest in the class at the time but he adapted well. It was good for him to learn about rules and getting along with others. Our public school has 4 year old kindergarten which he now attends every day for 3 hours. I am so glad that he had the preschool experience first. On the first day, there were many kids that were crying and scared because this was thier first school experience. My son had no idea what they were so upset about. I had to explain it to him later.

I would try it with her for a while. She will probably really start to enjoy it. If you think she still needs more time you can always take her out and try again later.

Good luck.

C.

My son was 2 when he started preschool/daycare and he liked it. Do your research. The preschool/daycare he went to unfortunately had some issues. My son was always coming home with the pinkeye and sometimes sick. One time I found out that other kids were sick at the same time. Come to find out that they had been given leftover tuna; so I was told from by the Cook which was previously his teacher. I immediately took him out of there and filed a complaint with the BBB. Go to these daycares unexpectedly and ask to give you a tour. That way you really what is going on. Good luck.

Dear B.,

my four year old son started preschool when he was 3 1/2. My daughter will be 3 shortly after school starts and she will only go 2 days a week at a private school. she is crying and begging my to go now. I know that the public schools screen but where we go they do not. They just have to be potty trained. Next year my son will be in the 4 y/o class and will go 3 days a week. I think that it depends on the individual child if they should go to preschool and at what age. I do know that from talking to other mom's in my kids class is that they do let their child go to a sitter or a friends house to get used to not being by mom. Good Luck.
B.

My daughter also started at 3 years. It was through the park district and only 2 days/week for 2 1/2 hours. She only needed to be potty trained. Now she is in pre-k (4 years) 3 days/week also 2 1/2 hours.

I work in a preschool. I say its never to late to start your child in daycare/preschool. The fact that she wants to sit with all the kids is a plus. I work with 2yr olds, but I have worked in all the age groups. She will talk. To get her to talk more she should be around them more. Maybe she just has some separation anxieties. The fact that that particular school told you to try later, is very sad. I have a child right now that hasnt said a word in 2 mnths. All the sudden she is talking up a storm. I feel that preschool is just a bonus for her.
Good luck to you and her. Any daycare/preschool shouldnt screen your child. There is such an act as 'no child left behind'.

When my son was 2 (the older side of 2), I had him in this pre pre park district class for an hour and a half a day by himself to get him acclimated to school. I started him in preschool at 3 this year and next year he will be going to 4/5's every afternoon from 12:30-3:00pm and then kindergarten. He is an only child so I think the socialization is great and he absolutely LOVES it!

B.,

My 3 kids all started preschool when they were 3. As long as they turned 3 by the September 1 cutoff date, they were eligible. My twins have a July birthday (like your daughter) and they started preschool 6 weeks after their 3rd b-day.

My kids have gone at 3. But since she is not 3 yet, perhaps she is just having trouble with the screening. You say that she loved sitting with the other kids, perhaps it was the screener??
I don't recall having my kids "screened" for preschool. I know they do that for Kindergarten, but the preschool I have gone to with my 7yo and the one I use now does not screen the kids. All they say is that they have to be potty trained.
I agree with your philosophy about being around other kids. They get exposed to so many other things at Preschool that you just can't duplicate at home. Socialization with other kids their age and other adults does wonders for a kid.

I am not sure of your school district however if she woudl not speak and she is almost 3 at the screening I am certain she qualifies for the FREE public preschool. My son went at age 3 they will start when they turn 3 if you need help contact Easter Seals. You go through Early Intervention until age 3 at age 3 they go to preschool. Feel free to contact me if you would like to chat and get more details. Good Luck!

My son started regualar preschool when he was 3 but he didn't participate that much until he was 3 1/2. He also has a July birthday and really changed a lot in 6 months from both an independence and maturity standpoint. One thing that I've looked into for my 20 month old is a transition type preschool where the parent is there with the child at the beginning of the school year and then they leave when the child is ready (usually by mid-Oct). Not sure if this is practical for you but they are usually only about 1 1/2 hrs 2 days/week.

So basicially right now she is 2 1/2 ish? I think personally that is too young. It seems more of a daycare situation than a preschool issue. My eldest started pre and 4. My youngest is in preschool and he also started at 4 (he turns 5 in April).My youngest goes 5 days a week 2.5 hours a day.

My kids went at 3. I think it was the best thing for them emotionally and socially.