When to start sending a kid to preschool?!?

Question

My son is 3 1/2...his b-day is Sept. 22 (I hear that's either right b4 or right after the "cut off" date to start school) when do I start looking into Pre-School for him? How old does he have to be?

Answer 1

He should already be in preschool, if you want him there. Most kids start between 2 1/2 to 3 years old. Even the state public preschools start at 3 years old. The sooner you enroll him in school the better, kindergarten is only around the corner and preschool is a great tool to get him ready both mentally and socially. My daughter is going to be 4 in May, she has already been in school for a year now and absolutely loves it and can't wait to go everyday. My 7 year old started preschool at 2 1/2. Your son is old enough and ready to go.

Answer 2

The age of Preschool is two years nine months through five year olds that miss the cut off date to enter Kindergarten, although some preschools prefer that children be three. Pre-K classes are the ones for children that will be four by September. I would look for a preschool for him as soon as possible. He should go in the fall if not before then.

Answer 3

My son was 3 when he started Preschool (he has a Nov birthday). I placed him in a school that taught the alphabet and sounds in a fun way and by Kindergarten he was reading for fun. He would always like to go.
I don't think Preschools that play all day is a good way to go, since they are not really preparing them for school. Your child may come out of that kind of preschool with no tolerance for learning, just play.

Answer 4

For most preschool programs they like them to be at least 3. They start kindergarten at age 5. Gives him some time to get use to the environment of school before he goes. I'd start looking now and get him set up for next year. I'm mom to 3. All of my children attended Head Start from age 3. Gave them 2 years to prepare for school.

Answer 5

Keep him home for as long as possible - or you'll regret how much you miss of his younger years. It's okay to send him to a 3-hour preschool, but not all day.

My youngest son never went to preschool, or kindergarten (there was a waiting list) for that matter. He did just fine in first grade - was an A student all through school. My youngest daughter, on the other hand, went to preschool when she was just hitting four. She was bitten there, and bitten by another child in kindergarten. She never liked school, and her grades left a lot to be desired.

Answer 6

Some places offer K3 and K4 programs. He could probably start the K3 this year. The cut-off in our district is September 1st...

Since he is a boy (they tend to mature at a slower pace than girls), I would start him in the 3 year old program this year and the 4 year old next year. It depends on his maturity level, really. And the guidelines for the district, of course.

Answer 7

It isn't as much age as maturity. I think you should evaluate whether your son is ready for that kind of a situation. If not, then don't feel bad waiting another year. So many parents are so eager to get their children into pre-school, but sometimes a 3-4 year old (especially boy) just isn't ready.

Answer 8

My little one will be 4 in June and I've already been checking into pre-schools for her now. You may want to go ahead and start looking around. Many schools are registering for their fall class now.

Answer 9

If he already goes to daycare, hold off another year, what he learns at daycare is similar to preschool at age 3. If he doesn't go to daycare have him start this next fall. School will teach him how to follow rules, clean up, take turns and share. good luck.

Answer 10

3-4 is the general age, so I would start looking. High school child care progams are great for the child and the students teaching. For more info, google the topic.