Pre-school spazz out

[siercia]

So, one of the lovely other moms on my firend's list posted about her aprox-same-ag-as-Widget daughter getting into their "first choice" preschool (And congrats to the little wee one too).

And this little ping sounded in my brain, and I said, "Hmmmm, preschool... Yeah, we were thinking of looking for something for Widget for the fall, I should start looking around.

Holy crap on a crap cracker!

I'm completely overwhelmed. Half the schools that look like something we might be interested in have "admissions deadlines" of early April, for NEXT September, complete with interviews and evaluations and for god sake how can you evaluate a kid that little for something 6 months in the future? Many of these places also have three years of structured programs so they are less likely to accept a four year old who missed their first year with the group.

Jesus. When did pre-school turn into college?

I don't even know exactly what kind of program I want her in. Hell, I'm not even entirely sure I'm ready for this step at all (God, how can she be growing up so fast?). Mostly, I *think* I only want her in pre-school for the exposure to other kids, which she really lacks currently, and for her to get some practice in negotiating a classroom environment (I might have to kill someone if my bright little girl was judged not ready for kindergarten because she wasn't there socially yet). But then, the self doubt creeps in... What if she misses something beneficial because she didn't go somewhere fabulous? Why do so many of the parents I respect rave about Montessori? Is it worth all the hoops to get her enrolled in a program like that?

And then there's the lifestyle questions, like, dear god in heaven, how are we ever going to handle a life where we have to be up, dressed, breakfasted and out of the house by 8:15, when most days we're sitting down to breakfast at 10:00? Related to that, are there ANY preschools that will define a hald day student as one who shows up at 11:30 and stays until 3:00 (not that I've found, so far)? How are we going to change the hours Imagy is here, or should we just switch her to full day pre-school? If we're going to keep Imagy, how are we going to afford paying for both? Most half day programs are five days a week - can I justify sending her th school on a day I don't work? Will work let me change my hours to work around a new lifestyle schedule?

Are all these questions swirling around in my brain going to make my head explode.

Yeah, probably.

Comments

*sigh*

[siercia]

And I know how stupid that is. Because a. it's dumb, and preschool has SO little bearing on anything and b. LIFE ISN'T OVER IF YOU DON'T GO TO HARVARD.

But then the mommy guilt voice creeps in with the little what-ifs. Hate that voice a lot.

[sarahparah.livejournal.com]

As you well know, I more than identify with your situation! Once you get it together and visit a couple you'll have a better idea of what you want out of preschool. GOOD LUCK! You'll be fine. And so will Widget.

[metalliman502.livejournal.com]

i'm not at all surprised about Pre-School and wait. it may get worse in kindergarten. from what i understand they're teaching science and computers in kindergarten. all i rememeber of kindergarten was getting nit in the head with blocks alot.

A little perspective:

[judecorp.livejournal.com]

1. I didn't go to preschool.
2. I was valedictorian of my high school class.
3. I didn't go to Harvard.
4. I went to a smaller, less competitive school that offered me full funding.
5. I went to graduate school and got a scholarship.
6. A fellow scholarshipper went to Harvard for undergrad.
7. We got the same scholarship.
8. We got the same grades.

Jenn, it's all relative. Take the kid where she'll be happy, and if that's the "status" school, cool. Otherwise, eh.

*HUG*

Thoughts

[rachelmichellek.livejournal.com]

I'm just beginning to read a book right now that says that child development research actually suggests starting school at a later age rather than earlier, is better for the child. I'm pretty sure the title is Better Late Than Early, if you're interesting in looking at it.

Also, Bridget goes to Headstart, which is free, but I don't know if Widget would qualify for that, with you guys' income.

[ignu2k.livejournal.com]

Oooh, I hear you. I'm trying to stop feeling guilty that Alex will be going to a cheap-o programs at a local community center.

Re: Thoughts

[siercia]

Thanks for the tip, I'll take a look for it.

And I really doubt Widget would qualify for HeadStart. Even if she did, I don't think I'd want to take a space from another kid who really needs it, you know?

Re: A little perspective:

[siercia]

Yeah, I know all that kind of stuff. It's partly that it's so hard to know in advance where she will be happy - and fearing that a poor choice now might sour her on school in the future.

I guess there's nothing for it but going to check new places out.

I didn't do pre-school either, and was completely prepared for kindergarten, but had all kinds of chances for socialization with other kids before then. That's something that's really missing from Widget's life, since we know almost no one with Widget aged kids. =(

[siercia]

And the thing of it is that there's not necessarily anything at all *wrong* with the programs at the community center, you know?

Part of me says that since our primary goal is for her to get exposed to other kids, and the swing and routine of a classroom there's absolutely nothing wrong with signing her up part time at the local YMCA that's down the street from my office, and costs less.

I wish that this wasn't nearly so hard.

Re: A little perspective:

[judecorp.livejournal.com]

Checking places out is a good idea anyway, even if you're not looking for a status-type school. I hope you're planning to take Widget with you, because she can tell you which rooms/teachers/atmospheres she hits it off with best.

I don't think you'll sour her from school in the future. Several years of school and homework will do that just fine! ;)

[bookwitch.livejournal.com]

Gods, just reading that terrifies me.
But then, I think we might wind up skipping preschool altogether and letting her Nana teach her (her Nana and Papa are actually very good teachers.)

All the same *shudder*. I feel for you. :(

Re: *sigh*

[siercia]

Hee.

Trust me, I have no desire to drive my child towards Harvard, on any level.

It's really more that I want to find somewhere that she'll thrive and be happy, and that's hard to do.

[siercia]

Thanks hon. I've been feeling the sympathy toward your search, not realizing we were going to be facing the same nightmare ourselves soon. Eeeek.

[siercia]

It isn't so much the teaching I'm worried about, after all both Dad and I are smart, and our nanny is excellent; she gets lots of learning time and intellectual stimulation. It's really just exposure to other kids that I want her to get a little more of.

[bookwitch.livejournal.com]

Ah.
Punkin is currently getting plenty of that...we have enough friends with babies and slightly older kids, plus I let her go to church with her Nana and she plays with the children in the nursery. (I told my husband that she's too young for the church to warp her mind yet. *heh*)

Re: Thoughts

[rachelmichellek.livejournal.com]

right, i don't think so either, but just i was mentioning it since you were mentioning schools which are competitive to get into and that bridget is super nifty smart and doesn't go to a competitive preschool at all. you know.

what about, have you checked ywca/ymca places near you, for preschools?