Question:
In NSW, school starts at 5 years (give or take) and children can go to pre-school from 3 years (non-compulsory).
I've just put Hugo on the waiting list for pre-school near our house. We've had the pre-school recommended to us by a lot of people and when I went the other day I was really impressed with their facilities and the way they run the centre.
The only thing is, they offer two options for attendance - a 3 day block or a 2 day block, and they are full days (9am-3pm). Hugo has never done any long day care before, and has only occasionally been in creche, but only for 2 hours (max) at a time. He has never really been in a more structured environment (as in, with a timetable for activities - although he does tend to prefer a predicable routine in general).
I kind of assumed I'd ease him into it, maybe start with a morning or two and extend to full days. That said, maybe it's better to just jump straight in? I suppose I'm worried that going from spending every day with me, it is quite a big change to spending 2 (or 3) full days at school.
Am I worrying unnecessarily? (and yes, there is almost a full year until he starts, and I will have a 7-8month old as well by then . but still . I worry)
I work in a long day care center, and from my experience its better to put him straight in. I say this because we have had a few children who only stay a few hours and then get very upset if they have to stay longer etc.
As you know children fit in better if there in more routine in their young lives.
If your worried about him being there that long or for whatever reason, carers encourage you to call during the day and if its a well run center then they will even give you a call if his really upset etc.
If by any chance this happens then they should encourage you to have shoet days like you have said and then work up to full days.
And seriously I am not just saying this to calm your nerves but most children adapt really well and once you walk out the dorr before 5 minutes they are fine and have a great time.
Naomi, when my little sister went into preschool it was 9-2 or 3 as well and she did just fine! My friend worked at the pre-school and, though they did offer half days, she said the kids who did the full day generally adapted better. Funny, cause my stepmother asked her the EXACT same thing! He'll be great!
Naomi I can understand you being worried this is a very big step for you all
If it was me I would be starting off with the 2 day option just to let everybody get used to the idea at a nice slow pace.sometimes it takes the Mums and Dads a little while to adapt as well as the children, which is understandable
Hugo is a very bright, bubbly and highly intelligent little boy, I am sure the added stimulation of a new environment and new playmates will only enhance his beautiful nature. (Gee I sounded like a very biased Aunty then )
My little one started what they call pre-entry here when he turned 4, it is not compulsory, that was for 3 hours on a Thursday morning. The following year he went to kindergarten which was supposed to be 4 half days per week but i only sent him for 2 half days per week, again not compulsory. I only let him go full time at kindy when he reached the last term to help prepare him for school at the begining of the following year. Although it was 3-4 years ago i regret sending him to kindy, if i have another i really dont think i would bother with it.
In the West we have kindy at 4yrs, for 4 half days ( could be Monday Tuesday morning and then Wednesday Thursday afternoon)then pre primary, 5yr olds full time ( five full days) just like big school.
Thanks for the replies . it's good to get a range of views. At this point I will leave it and discuss it with the pre-school towards the end of the year when I do the actual enrollment but I'm kind of leaning towards starting him on 2 full days and seeing how he copes - if he's not handling it, we can re-evaluate it then.
I do think from his perspective, he will thrive and love it (already, just from visiting the other day, he keeps asking if he can go to 'school' and play with the kids) . I think it's just me who is having some trouble with the concept that my darling boy is actually heading into this phase of life I also think it will be better for him if he has a couple of days a week before starting regular school and jumping straight into a 5 day week.
Anyway, I've got ages to worry about it
Wow, I can't believe that such a well known school does full days and not half days at that age. In the United States, it is proven that children learn best in a Developmentally Appropriate practice (and that includes 4 hours of instruction a day, no more). I know this because this is what I am a senior in college going to school for. I also work in our preschool that is also a lab for students where children come and it is supposed to be one of the best learning environments for children to learn in and our kids are only there for 3 hours. My experience, from seeing kids that are just starting out at the school for the first time, I agree with mel, just dive straight in. I would definitely only go with 2 days of school at first and then go into 3 days. However, just kiss him, tell him you love him, hug him, and say goodbye and let him go to school. A good pre-school will create a loving learning environment for your child and will make them feel comfortable. If he cries, once he gets in and starts playing with the kids, he will be just fine most likely. Saying goodbye to mommy for the first time will be the hardest though. Hope this helps!!
The first couple of weeks junior went to pre-school i stayed (the teachers didnt have a problem with it and i wasnt the only one).
It's so hard to leave the first one for the first time! I felt so guilty leaving my daughter at day care for the first time - but she loved it! You're right Naomi, it's usually the mum who is more anxious than the child - and the child will pick up on this, no matter how much you think you are covering it. So, you really need to be careful :-) The preschools my kids have attended have all been full day options and recommended 2 days at 3yo and 3 days at 4yo. You'll be surpirsed how much he loves it, and it is also good for him to learn to spearate from you on a regular basis. I'm probably going to tread on some toes with this comment, but children who attend preschool/day care do usually cope better with school (and yes that is a huge generilisation!). But, at least you have some time to ponder. Maybe see if you can go with him for an hour or so a couple of times closer to the end of the year?
I've just put Hugo on the waiting list for pre-school near our house. We've had the pre-school recommended to us by a lot of people and when I went the other day I was really impressed with their facilities and the way they run the centre.
The only thing is, they offer two options for attendance - a 3 day block or a 2 day block, and they are full days (9am-3pm). Hugo has never done any long day care before, and has only occasionally been in creche, but only for 2 hours (max) at a time. He has never really been in a more structured environment (as in, with a timetable for activities - although he does tend to prefer a predicable routine in general).
I kind of assumed I'd ease him into it, maybe start with a morning or two and extend to full days. That said, maybe it's better to just jump straight in? I suppose I'm worried that going from spending every day with me, it is quite a big change to spending 2 (or 3) full days at school.
Am I worrying unnecessarily? (and yes, there is almost a full year until he starts, and I will have a 7-8month old as well by then . but still . I worry)
Answer:
I work in a long day care center, and from my experience its better to put him straight in. I say this because we have had a few children who only stay a few hours and then get very upset if they have to stay longer etc.
As you know children fit in better if there in more routine in their young lives.
If your worried about him being there that long or for whatever reason, carers encourage you to call during the day and if its a well run center then they will even give you a call if his really upset etc.
If by any chance this happens then they should encourage you to have shoet days like you have said and then work up to full days.
And seriously I am not just saying this to calm your nerves but most children adapt really well and once you walk out the dorr before 5 minutes they are fine and have a great time.
Answer:
Naomi, when my little sister went into preschool it was 9-2 or 3 as well and she did just fine! My friend worked at the pre-school and, though they did offer half days, she said the kids who did the full day generally adapted better. Funny, cause my stepmother asked her the EXACT same thing! He'll be great!
Answer:
Naomi I can understand you being worried this is a very big step for you all
If it was me I would be starting off with the 2 day option just to let everybody get used to the idea at a nice slow pace.sometimes it takes the Mums and Dads a little while to adapt as well as the children, which is understandable
Hugo is a very bright, bubbly and highly intelligent little boy, I am sure the added stimulation of a new environment and new playmates will only enhance his beautiful nature. (Gee I sounded like a very biased Aunty then )
Answer:
My little one started what they call pre-entry here when he turned 4, it is not compulsory, that was for 3 hours on a Thursday morning. The following year he went to kindergarten which was supposed to be 4 half days per week but i only sent him for 2 half days per week, again not compulsory. I only let him go full time at kindy when he reached the last term to help prepare him for school at the begining of the following year. Although it was 3-4 years ago i regret sending him to kindy, if i have another i really dont think i would bother with it.
Answer:
In the West we have kindy at 4yrs, for 4 half days ( could be Monday Tuesday morning and then Wednesday Thursday afternoon)then pre primary, 5yr olds full time ( five full days) just like big school.
Answer:
Thanks for the replies . it's good to get a range of views. At this point I will leave it and discuss it with the pre-school towards the end of the year when I do the actual enrollment but I'm kind of leaning towards starting him on 2 full days and seeing how he copes - if he's not handling it, we can re-evaluate it then.
I do think from his perspective, he will thrive and love it (already, just from visiting the other day, he keeps asking if he can go to 'school' and play with the kids) . I think it's just me who is having some trouble with the concept that my darling boy is actually heading into this phase of life I also think it will be better for him if he has a couple of days a week before starting regular school and jumping straight into a 5 day week.
Anyway, I've got ages to worry about it
Answer:
Wow, I can't believe that such a well known school does full days and not half days at that age. In the United States, it is proven that children learn best in a Developmentally Appropriate practice (and that includes 4 hours of instruction a day, no more). I know this because this is what I am a senior in college going to school for. I also work in our preschool that is also a lab for students where children come and it is supposed to be one of the best learning environments for children to learn in and our kids are only there for 3 hours. My experience, from seeing kids that are just starting out at the school for the first time, I agree with mel, just dive straight in. I would definitely only go with 2 days of school at first and then go into 3 days. However, just kiss him, tell him you love him, hug him, and say goodbye and let him go to school. A good pre-school will create a loving learning environment for your child and will make them feel comfortable. If he cries, once he gets in and starts playing with the kids, he will be just fine most likely. Saying goodbye to mommy for the first time will be the hardest though. Hope this helps!!
Answer:
The first couple of weeks junior went to pre-school i stayed (the teachers didnt have a problem with it and i wasnt the only one).
Answer:
It's so hard to leave the first one for the first time! I felt so guilty leaving my daughter at day care for the first time - but she loved it! You're right Naomi, it's usually the mum who is more anxious than the child - and the child will pick up on this, no matter how much you think you are covering it. So, you really need to be careful :-) The preschools my kids have attended have all been full day options and recommended 2 days at 3yo and 3 days at 4yo. You'll be surpirsed how much he loves it, and it is also good for him to learn to spearate from you on a regular basis. I'm probably going to tread on some toes with this comment, but children who attend preschool/day care do usually cope better with school (and yes that is a huge generilisation!). But, at least you have some time to ponder. Maybe see if you can go with him for an hour or so a couple of times closer to the end of the year?