If I go back to work full time and place my daugheter in a "preschool" like setting, will it harm or hurt her?

Question

Worried about the full time scene of preschool like setting for my 2yr old. Some say it will be good for her - others have told me not good for her. I have to go back to work soon, by Sept. 07.

Answer 1

For me and my daughter, it is the best choice. She loves the other kids, the interaction, the socialization, it has taught her diversity and social rules (don't make fun of the boy checking his blood sugar - he has diabetes, Julie wears hearing aids because she can't hear well, yes, she talks with her hands... ) School does things with her that I would never do - one day they filled a huge tub with Jello for each kid and stripped them down naked and let them go for it - she actually put glue on her legs and feathered herself one day...

My daughter never meets a stranger, loves all kids, and knows things I never taught her... I love the experiences she has and the understanding of others' that daycare has given her..

Having said that, there will be some days where she will cry and not want you to leave - these are normal and utterly heartbreaking..

We have a routine, I get to school early and she crawls in my lap in the car before we go in, I read her a story and cuddle.. then I take her in, hang up her things, give her a big kiss and a hug, and hand her to the nearest worker. AND LEAVE....

I'm telling you, I've been home with her 3 weeks, so glad to be home again with my baby, and she's begging to go back to school... LOL.. I paid for one day return, showed up worried that she'd be sad, she jumped down, said, "love ya mommy" and "don't pick me up till snack ok."

Best of luck to you...

Answer 2

I had my son in preschool full-time when he was 18 months old. I think that it was really good for him. He got the chance to socialize with kids his own age, and he got an early start on his education. Since you have until September, you should start researching preschools in your area. When I was looking for a preschool, I noticed that quite a few are nothing more than babysitters. The preschool my son attended had a very structured schedule, and the kids learned something every day. The smallest kids only spent about 10 minutes at a time on learning activities, but when my son moved from the toddler class to the preschool class, he learned a lot. He was even writing a little bit by the time he was ready for kindergarten.

Answer 3

My mom went back to work full time when I was about 2.5 or so, putting me in a preschool at a local church. I was there for a year, year and a half (obviously, I can't remember quite so far back, hehe) and I had a great time, that's for sure. I think it really helped me develop early social skills and learn basic things to put me ahead in Kindergarten. Now I'm 20, double majoring at an ivy league college and I speak 3 languages, working on my 4th. I think going to a preschool really pushed me to enjoy learning, it gave me a positive attitude from the start.

I can see how a lot of people would be wary to deal with the separation anxiety, on both child and parent sides, but honestly, it's got to be done sometime. Probably better even to do it while they're little, so it won't be so hard when they have to go to Kindergarten, Elementary school, etc.

Good luck.

Answer 4

I work at a preschool/daycare that has curriculum for babies all the way to school-age. (I'm currently the young 3's preschool teacher and lead teacher for the school age program). In my personal opinion, if you don't have to go back to work, don't. It is a wonderful thing for a little girl to spend her early years at home with her mama or daddy, and just really bond and grow together.

That said, will a preschool setting harm your daughter? Absolutely not! The are centers all over who, like the one I teach at, do all kinds of wonderful, marvelous, creative things for the kids and provide great opportunities to learn, develop and make friends at a young age. There are three children that have been together in our center since they were babies and they are now in my young 3's. They are inseperable and as close as any 2 boys and girl could be. And it is so good to see them have that kind of bond. I look forward to seeing them every morning.

So take a look at where your family is right now, and investigate your centers carefully. I'm sure you can find the right fit, whatever it is, for you and your little girl.

Answer 5

I think that you are getting nervous and maybe feeling a bit guilty at this point. You have been with her since birth..is this correct? No, it will not harm or hurt her....I am assuming that you show her loads of love, attention and affection....This will actually be a good thing for her...Preschool or a preschool setting will teach her socialization skills, help her to flourish with her vocabulary. It will be more hard on you for at least the first couple of weeks. But she is going to make friends...(yes, two yr olds can make friends)......If you are comfortable with who you are allowing to tend to her while you are at work, and as long as it is just not a daycare, yet a place of continual learning, this will be a good thing that you are doing for your lil princess......I have four children; two boys, one with autism and twin daughters.....All of my children have and are still attending preschool...(my daughters).....It was hard for me to let my first go....(I am a stay at home mommy and have been with my children since their births everyday....) I have had a few jobs over the years, but not anything major... When I found out that my 6yr had autism (found out when he was 3) it was a must that we sent him to an early intervention preschool......The first to go to pre-k was my 7 yr old...I sent him when he was 3 years old and my daughters, age four, started back in March of this year......It gets easier darling....trust me...she will enjoy it after she gets the routine down...and you are doing her a favor by getting her started early on her education.....(but as you may know and already do, please do educational things with her when you are with her as well.....)....this is normal that you are feeling the way that you do......good luck and you will see that this is a wonderful thing......I wish more parents would send their children to preschool....Kimmie

Answer 6

Nope.. It wont harm her..She will be happy and enjoy there ..I also do that to my 2years old daughter. Now already 2mths she going there.

Most important is to get a good nursery which :~

1) English Medium
2) Clean
3) Caring and experience teacher
4) Good environment
5) Not many toddlers in her class ( better less than
6person )

I do a lot of survey and go to school to visit before i confirm to put her there .

This is due to , previous i get her a not very good environment nursery . She will cry every morning when i ask her to school.. Even 1 month she still do not want there.. So, i stop.

After i change this new nursery , she only cried for 3 days . Day 4th , she smile when we take her there. Cause , i know she enjoying going there coz lots of outdoor and indoor activities..

It is good.. We as parents sure will be happy when our children happy. So, try to search for your daughter a better school through friends , and ownself..

Good LUck!!

Answer 7

It's always nice to have relatives babysit, but sometimes preschool is a good alternative. On the plus side, it'll socialize her early and she'll get used to being around people and learn new things. Just make sure you still spend time and do fun things with her when you get home. It's hard to find time, but it's worth it.

Answer 8

check into the center that you want to take her to, talk to other parents. If all seems good then she should be fine. May have a few days of home sickness. My daughter loved her school she was really upset when she couldn't go anymore.

Answer 9

Only if you don't care that she loves the baby sitter more than you. As a "pre-school" baby, I can tell you that I would probably be more close to my nanny than I would my own mother. Why? Because I saw the nanny more than my mother and when I did see, mom, she was too tired or cranky to care.

I don't think people should have kids if they cannot take care of them but that will get me flamed big time so I'll just say, this is my opinion. Hate it because you know I'm right or hate it because it hurts you to hear it, I don't care. It is still my opinion.

And by taking care, does NOT mean just food and shelter and someone else. Kids don't care if you're poor or have the joneses salary times two. They want, most of all THEIR PARENTS.

My guess is you'll dump your kid in daycare, but I'm telling you now. She will not love you as much as she would if you were actually there for her... You will NOT be her "mother."

If I were you (and I was/am) I would be poor as dirt but BE THERE for my child.

Answer 10

Nope it won't hurt her a bit. In fact it will prepare her for elementary school much better. She will be able to socialize with kids her own age as well as get an early start on her education. It certainly didn't hurt my daughter who now sports a 4.0GPA in college.