WWYD re Pre-K

Here are the facts:
I have 3 kids: ages 7, 4, 3.
The 7 year old starts school at about 9:30. His bus is at 9. This year I had the two LO's in nursery school, 3 days a week, that started at 9:15. I would get the oldest on the bus, drop the LO off and then go to work. That was the plan for next year too.

Now my SD is offering a UPK. 5 days a week for FREE at my oldest son's school. Oh happy day. EXCEPT it starts at 8:15. It's so early!

Would you:

A. Keep everything as is, pay for only the 3 days of nursery school but keep your sanity

OR

B. Suck it up, pile all 3 kids in the car at 8:15, schlep to the school, do drop off, come home, get the other 2 ready and then do that rigamaroll with the other 2? The benefit to the UPK is that it's 5 days, its free and he would be going with kids he will ultimately be in kindergarten with.

WWYD re Pre-K

Is there an early drop off option for your oldest? That way you can drop the older 2 off together and then just worry about the youngest.

WWYD re Pre-K

If there is an early morning program at the school (like after care) then i would drop them off together like PP said.
I dont think 815 is early, but 9 is late!

WWYD re Pre-K

If the schedule is the only thing that keeps you from doing UPK i say option B. This may sound ridiculous but can you just have your pre-k kid start a little late? Also what time are kids allowed in the building for your 7 year old? My district starts at 9 but they let kids into the building at 8:30 or earlier. So I would get everyone ready , take your son to pre-k at like 8:30 then drop off your older one to school early and take your youngest to nursery for 9:15.

Or maybe you can arrange a car pool for Pre-K so you only have to drive a couple of times a week.

Re: WWYD re Pre-K

For the cost savings and the benefit of the 5 days I would go with the UPK
It is amazing how quickly you get into a routine.

I have 4 kids and the thought of packing into the car for school drop off I dreaded but now we are all in a good routine and it all works out.

Re: WWYD re Pre-K

I believe the before school care is at a different elementary school and then they bus them to his school. I agree that is a late (and annoying!) start time but it's what I'm used to now. I'm not sure what time I can drop him off but if I can drop the younger one off late and him off early, that might work. I feel like he needs 5 days but the pre school he goes to is expensive so the 2 of them, 5 days a week is too much for us right now.

WWYD re Pre-K

I would have him in the 5 day program and deal with the headache of multiple morning dropoffs

WWYD re Pre-K

I’d do UPK. Can your DH drop off the youngest while you deal with the older ones? Or what’s the earliest drop off time for the older ones? My school has a pretty long drop off window in the morning. I’d honestly just wait in the parking lot for drop off to start if it’s close to 8:15.

WWYD re Pre-K

I’d do UPK. It does stink making two trips in the morning though but it’s worth the savings.

How long is the UPK program? Who will pick him up?

Re: WWYD re Pre-K

UPK for sure. I did the same schedule. I would drop off the older one at school sometimes and just keep everyone in the car in between. Save the $ when you can. You never know what life will bring.

WWYD re Pre-K

It definitely does sound annoying, and mornings can be stressful enough without having to add in an extra trip right in the middle of getting everyone ready. I would do what works out the best for you. If saving the money is important to you, then just keep reminding yourself that its only for one school year to get yourself through the rough mornings. But if the convenience of the other school is more important to you, then dont feel bad that your child wont be with the kids they'll be with in kindergarten. They're still so young at that age and will barely remember pre-K in a year or 2. My dd just finished 1st grade and doesnt seem to remember much of anything about pre-K. She loved her teacher at the time, but doesnt remember anything about her now. And she was at an event recently and standing right next to a girl from her pre-K class that she loved, but they didnt even recognize each other. So basically do what works best for you and your family. Good luck!

WWYD re Pre-K

My answer would really depend on the pick up schedule.
What would you do with your 3 year old the other 2 days?

While the schedule is different and will require a whole new routine it is doable. If next your you will enroll your 3 year old in the UPK I would suck up this year bc next year year the times will be the same.

Re: WWYD re Pre-K

WWYD re Pre-K

I would just get everyone ready for 8:15, drop to UPK, then go home have the other kids play outside or something until they have to go. This way everybody gets used to being ready at the earlier time if you’re going to be doing it for the next 2 years.

I’m sure you looked into it, but our UPK offers a bus.

Re: WWYD re Pre-K

You could look for a babysitter to come for an hour in the AM to stay with your 7 year old... and the 4 year old if I’m reading this right. Chances are someone would like an extra $$$ before work and would make the stop at your house while you take the other 1. I’m sure it’s cheaper than putting them in a later preschool.

Otherwise, I’d wake them all up and get them ready at the same time. By the time drop off is done (8:15) and you drive back (8:30), one short TV show and then the bus will come for your older kids.