When is a good time for a child to start head start/preschool?

Question

My son in three, and will be four in October. Will he have to wait until fall of 2008 when he's almost five, or can he start when he is three? I live in Maine, if that matters.

I know that 4 is a good age, my question is that since my son wont be four until the very end of October, will he have to wait another year, since he will still only be three in August/September when they typically start?

Answer 1

I'm from the old school and believe a child should enter school at age 6. Anything they need to learn you can teach them at home. Back in the day studies showed children who entered first grade (no kindergarten) or entered kindergarten at 6 were better students and more well rounded (less frightened) quick studies and developed socially and mentally far better then children that were torn from (home) and faced with strangers and strange surroundings. Plus they were less likely to get sick. I know times have changed but your child should come first. Plus what your child learns now in his / her early years will determine what kind of person they will become, ( morals), do you want them to learn yours or anothers?

Answer 2

Head Start is a federally funded preschool program. Their rules say that they serve children from age 3 up to the age of kindergarten attendance in your state. Sounds like your program prioritizes their enrollment to select for children who are in the year before they will goto kindergarten. This is ok for them to do, just means you will have to wait ( ask the program if the have a waiting list, some programs will take younger children as the year progresses it keep their classes at full enrollment).

Other options if you dont want to wait ( between three and four is average).... would bo to look into other preschools in your area. There are cooperative preschools that hire a lead teacher and then depend on families to do other jobs at the school to keep the costs lower (it also increases parent involvement), or private preschool. Many child care programs have a preschool program that they integrate into their child care curriuclum. Even if you dont need child care - some places allow children to come for the am hours (when they do the preschool) and dont have to stay all day. Many churches also offer preschool programs (not all are religious based).
To find programs where you live goto www.naccrra.com This is a national organization that supports child care resource and referral programs. every state is required to have one. Once you know how to contact yoru local program they can give you a list of child care andpreschools in your area as well as information on financial support etc.

Good Luck

Answer 3

3 years

Answer 4

Head Start is a program for low income families (in some states they will also allow children with disabilities to attend as well). Head Start has guidelines for when they allow a child to start, income guidleines for families, and some other criteria as well.

For private day care, I think that 3-4 is a good age if you want them to attend to get a little jump on starting Kindergarten. By this time they can adjust better to the change, follow the group activities, and are ready to make friends. More and more, schools expect kids to start knowing a lot of basic concepts (letters, numbers, spell your name, know about community helpers, etc) and not having some exposure to these things prior to the first day of school puts your child at a disadvatnage. I would say if your child is now 3 1/2, see about getting on the waiting list for a good quality day care. If you decide to go part time-try MWF, to big of a lapse between days he attends can make the adjusment period harder. And be ready for a wait for good day care-my son just started a new day care (closer to home) and we were on the wait list for a year!

You can check with your local Social Services to see if their is a day care referral service for your town. If you use a licensed day care, you should be able to review the day care's record for inspections with the agency. And be sure your provider meets the guidelines to able to give you a tax deduction-if they are not regulated or meeting certain guidelines, you may not be able to deduct the day care from taxes-ouch!

Answer 5

My son started part day pre-school three times a week for half-day at age 3. When he is 4 he will go every day for like 5 hours. It prepares them for kindergarten so that it is not a sudden separation for 8 hours a day from mom. Most places offer this whether it is thorugh your school system or not I don't know. BUt there should be child care places that off the pre-school for 3 year olds.

Answer 6

I don't know about you or what your arrangements for him now are but I started my daughter in a preschool- care center and she's 2. Before it was she and the nanny, and I would occasionally come home early- but she just wasn't getting what I thought was enough structure. SHE LOVES HER NEW CLASS! I mean she's a total different baby. She was naturally outgoing but she was becoming shy with such an enclosed environment and I was worried about that. She was lagging in talking as well but within weeks just started saying lots of new words. Our school is a little harsh though...it's 7am-5pm Monday thru Friday, she eats all 3 meals at school. But we still have a sit down dinner together and she wants to show me the pictures she drew and the book they read and the dance she learned and the song she learned...and I just love that she's excited about school.

Answer 7

My son is an october baby as well and he started Kindergarten just before turning 6 because of his birthday. Head start is pretty much a day care system though and no so much a pre school so you can put him in now if you want because your paying for it and they will take them at 3. If you really want to do your child some good, find an actual pre school. The best head start will do is offer social interaction and get them used to being a room filled with kids. Not much educational purpose though.

Answer 8

It depends on the programs offered in your area. Some preschool programs are offered for 3 year olds usually 1`/2 day programs. Call the pre-school programs in your area ask about age requirements and sign him up !!! He will love school and make new friends.

Answer 9

Three is good, but the program may not be available to you at that age.

My son went to VIP tots, which is a charitable group supported by a church group.

Answer 10

Most places will take your child once they are potty trained(places may differ on this and accept kids who are not). So, if this is the case...go for it! Mine were all 3 when they started preschool...and they did HAVE to be potty trained! :)