Nursery School WWYD?

[maybeebaby08]

I'm a SAHM, I work pt as a nanny for a 7yo, but I get to take DD with me. I just called the nursery school I wanted her to go to and was shocked at the price. DD is 19mos and is extremely attached to DH & I, my whole reasoning for nursery school was more for her social interaction with more kids her age and to work on her being away from DH & I, I don't need her to go, I just thought it might be good for her. It just seems like a big payment to add every month for something I'm not sure she needs, but I just might want for her?

[egoldber]

IME there is generally a range of prices for preschools in a given area. If you feel like she would benefit from preschool in the fall (which is a long way away for a 19 month old), then perhaps explore other options?

But I think your area is pretty expensive for preschools in general.

[carolinamama]

She's young. It won't hurt her to wait and she may be less attached as she ages. If you want her to have more socialization, how about a class for the two of you like Gymboree or Little Gym?

[infomama]

We didn't even think about preschool/nursery school until Dd1 was 3. I think waiting is just fine.
We had her in a few little gym classes and she really enjoyed those.

[SnuggleBuggles]

She's young. It won't hurt her to wait and she may be less attached as she ages. If you want her to have more socialization, how about a class for the two of you like Gymboree or Little Gym?

:yeahthat: Go to story time, get into a playgroup, hang out at the playground, take some classes...there are lots of ways to get social opportunities without preschool.

We do do preschool with our 2yo mainly because I want those 5 hours a week to get things done and I want him to have fun with his friends. It is pricey but that's the school i chose. I could have found a less expensive one. There are usually a lot of price points out there so it might be worth looking around more.

Beth

[maybeebaby08]

Thank you for the responses, it makes me feel a lot better. Our area is very expensive, I was feeling a little pressured because it seems the norm around here is to start around 15-18 months, so it just must be our area. We do Gymboree classes and I might try to find a playgroup or other class to add in for her. Thank you!

[jetrlw]

I agree with PP. You have some time before nursery school. I was in a similar situation and decided that I would join a local online meet-up group as well as start my own playgroup. I am less involved with the meet-up group and focused on the playgroup. We have been meeting for almost 2 years and everyone agrees that it has been great for kids and moms. I also took my DD to the Little Gym a couple times a week. (still less exlensive than nursery school). Now that my DD is 2 1/2 she attends nursery school part time 3 days a week. Yes, it is expensive, but again there are various price points in all areas so you may want to do some more research. Good luck and remember there are may less expensive ways to socialize your DD, other than nursery school at this point in the game. Good luck.

[AnnieW625]

I am a HUGE believer in preschool. My parents couldn't afford much when I was child growing up, my mom was a SAHM, and my parents somehow still made it a priority for all three of us kids to go to preschool. I grew up in a relatively small city in Northern California so as silly as it sounds the kids I met in preschool were the kids I ended up in classes with from K-12, the kids parents my parents were in PTA with, and almost 30 years later it's really fun to look at the class picture and remember exactly how I interacted with each one of those 30 children during my education career.

We pay $217 a month for two day a week part time preschool (this also now includes lunch hour, which is optional because DD loves it! The regular fee is $177 per month), plus an additional $800 a month for full time daycare. I feel that it's really a great program for my daughter and I am very happy that we decided to send her.

I would definitely look into cooperative preschool programs too. Good luck!

ETA: I didn't start preschool until I was 4 yrs. old (my mom didn't get me on the waiting list soon enough), and my brother and sister started at 3. DD just started this year at 3.

[SnuggleBuggles]

I really do like preschool but see no reason to it before age 3 or 4. I used to roll my eyes at parents that signed their 18m olds up when I just had ds1. But, then I went ahead and did it with ds2. :) Goes to show how things can change. I really got used to having some down time while ds1 was in school so that's why I signed ds2 up for preschool. I don't think early preschool is necessary for the kiddos. Sure, it's fun for them and they do get things out of it. But, I don't think you are puttng her at a disadvantage by waiting till she is older.

Are there any parents at Gymboree you click with? See if any want to go out for coffee or lunch with any of the moms there and soon you can have a playmate and friend. That's how I found my playgroup!

Beth

[wellyes]

FWIW in my area the prices range from $80/day to $350/day, so it's worth looking around.

My DD (21 months) in a daycare three days a week and I do think she benefits from it socially and especially verbally, but it's not something I'd break the bank for.

[JBaxter]

With my 4 boys I didnt start preschool until 3yrs old. I have a 14 month old and no way would I drop him at preschool while I could be home with him.

[mecawa]

I didn't start DD1 in preschool until she was 3 1/2. I would wait, 19 months is still young. At that age we did Gymboree and a play group. I'm not surprised you were floored at the prices, I was too, and I am in the Boston area as well.

[KpbS]

We didn't even think about preschool/nursery school until Dd1 was 3. I think waiting is just fine.
We had her in a few little gym classes and she really enjoyed those.

:yeahthat:

[crl]

It seems to me that early preschool is more common in high cost of living areas? Maybe because dual income families are more common to afford housing?

Anyway, I agree with others that there's no particular reason to start preschool before age 3, unless you want time for yourself/work/etc. Most kids don't really play together before then anyway. Honestly I think a year of preschool before K is quite adequate, so depending on K cut-off dates, etc, waiting until 4 even seems reasonable to me.

I also agee with others that you could check around for other schools. The price ranges can be significant and more expensive doesn't always mean better.

Catherine

[hollybloom24]

OP, preschools in Boston area are quite expensive, but there are some that are reasonable. I did extensive research on this.

Where are you located? For example in Brookline they have a public school preschool, BEEP - you pay for it, but it isn't as expensive as many schools. Newton also has a public preschool that didn't seem too expensive.

Most preschools in Boston accept kids age 2.9 by September (some are rolling admission). I would not push it much more than that. My girls started when they were 3.3 years old in September 2008. My girls had terrible separation anxiety issues and starting school helped a ton. So I suggest going to school in the 3s for this, but I wouldn't push it any earlier. If you start any earlier than 3 (even at 3), it's really more like day care than school with a curriculum.