Need school opinions

So my twins will be 2 next week, I had plans to register them in September for a 2s program at a local preschool. By this point, they would be 4 months from turning 3 when they start the 2s class. Now that I have to register them, I keep saying in my head are they ready? Will they do ok? How can I leave them etc. they have been using the potty for a few months maybe 3-4x days but still use diapers. I’m not pushing them, they were curious so I followed their lead and still do. I’m hoping by September they are trained but you never know. Do you think it would be a dis-service to them to wait another year and enroll them in a 3 year old class when they are 3 but almost 4? I wanted to do it now because I don’t want them to be behind but I also don’t know if 2 is a little young? Thoughts?

Re: Need school opinions

That's still some time away till they go to school so right now don't worry about it. By September I'm sure they'll be fine. You'll be surprised how fast toddlers adjust and love going to preschool. Learning, fun, socialization, playtime, singing and dancing... believe me I'm sure they'll love it. Don't be surprised if they do cry after the first drop off. It does take some getting used to. Before you know it you'll drop them off and they'll run to go and play.
Enjoy the time with them now and by Sept they'll be ready


How many days a week are they going?

Re: Need school opinions

I think with a January birthday, they are some of the oldest in their grade so they will be ready for it. I also do not think it's a disservice to wait. Do whatever seems right for your family.

Re: Need school opinions

You will see a huge amount of growth and maturation between now and September. They seem to be well on their way with potty training, so that will likely be a done deal by the fall too. But, it really boils down to you and whether or not you’re ready to send them. The kids will be fine either way!

Need school opinions

I send my kids to the 2’s program and they both thrived. Most likely they won’t need to be potty trained so I wouldn’t worry about it. They won’t be behind but it’s so nice to see them in another environment and socialize. Do what’s best for your family. It’s also a commitment on your part with the small hours but so worth it.

I have found the 2’s are very limited and fill fast so this is a decision you will need to make sooner rather than later.

Re: Need school opinions

Re: Need school opinions

iMO they spend enough time in structured environment why push it early. I would wait for the 3's program.

As a side note I think most 2's programs you do not need to be potty trained for if that is what is stressing you out about it.

Re: Need school opinions

I think it depends on your children...my older dd went to a 2 year old program because honestly, she was bored with home...she needed more structured activity...my 2nd dd didn't go until 3 and she is a late November birthday so she was the youngest...she wasn't ready for a 2 year old program. My 3rd was at a babysitter full time with other kids, so she didn't seem to need it as much either. I think you have to feel out your kids.

Re: Need school opinions

My dd2 has a similar birthday, but she is just turning 3 so she is a year ahead of your little guys. She is thriving in her 2s class this year (2 days/week for 2.5 hrs). She was fully toilet trained by summer, but the school is great with any help she needs. She absolutely loves having her own friends, and I’m happy she is learning some routines and responsibilities outside the house. It also opens us to more opportunities for 3s programs next year. I won’t feel like for 3s I’m limited to a minimal hour/week program, as it won’t be her first school experience. I can dapple into programs that offer more hours/days. On a separate note, as others stated, September is a long time away in toddler time. They will make tons of progress. I know it’s hard when registrations are all Jan/Feb but it is awhile away.

Re: Need school opinions

I am sure most of the kids in the 2s program are not potty trained since most kids potty train somewhere between 2 and 3.

I also don't think that your kids will be "behind" by not going to school until they are three. I find our desire to push our kids into school so early really strange. When my son was 2 and 3 my MIL kept harping about what was he doing in school??? Why isn't he in "school" more like my neice??? Umm - my neice was in daycare, not school, and she was there out of necessity. I was a stay at home mom - not sure how going to a classroom all day with 12-15 other kids would have benefited him more than one on one time with me..... I do think that getting them used to separating and socializing has it's benefits but there are more ways to do that than just school. At two you can take them to classes at little gym and art classes etc. Either way, just do what feels right for your kids.

Re: Need school opinions

They definitely will not be behind if you choose to send them to the 3 year old program instead.

The 2 yr old program is more for socializing and for them to start learning to listen to someone else other than their parents.

Both my kids started with the 2 year old program. They had speech delays and sending them to school also forced them to try talking or communicating with sign, instead of me trying to guess their needs at home.

Re: Need school opinions

I would definitely do it. DS has been in a program since right before he turned 2. He learns so much from the structured play. They've taught him way more than I could and if he had to stay home while I got stuff done, he'd just be sitting in front of the TV anyway. So, I send him part time 3 days a week. They toilet trained him for me so that was worth it alone lol.

My suggestion (since they will almost be 3 when it starts) is to enroll them in the 3 yr old program instead of the 2 year old program. For a few months, DS was the oldest in his class and you could really see the difference in the ones that just turned 2 and the ones that were almost 3. He looked like a big boy playing with the babies and he wasn't learning very much because he was too old for it. So, I asked them to switch his class. Being surrounded by kids that were on the same level as him or even slightly older, really helped him advance.

Re: Need school opinions

My son is in a 2's program and he is not potty trained. In fact, my older one is in a 3's program and he still isn't potty trained. Well...he actually is fully potty trained but refuses to do it so he still has to wear diapers because I can't trust him. I digress...

I think the 2's program will be good for them. My little guy likes the socialization and I think your boys will be fine age wise in there.

Re: Need school opinions

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Message edited 6/4/2019 8:34:40 PM.

Re: Need school opinions

I opted to wait for my DD, she was in a home daycare though- but most programs around here by age 3 they wanted you to be potty trained, and she was super stubborn about it, and I couldn't guarantee she would be trained by September. It actually worked out anyway because in November (which, by then she was potty trained), her daycare shut down without notice so I ended up enrolling her into a school that had a spot for her. I would have been totally OK waiting though. Do what you feel is right for your family!

Need school opinions

While I don’t think they would be “behind” I would definitely put them in a 2’s program. I don’t think 2 is too young at all (that’s why these programs exist) and I actually don’t know anyone who hasn’t put their 2 year old into a school setting of some sort. They will be the oldest in the class, which is awesome.

I think it’s very beneficial for them to be in a structured setting and around other kids. And, they’ll probably love it.

Need school opinions

I don't think you can go wrong either way. Just go with your gut. I decided to wait until my kids were 3 which I felt was plenty early. They had plenty of other socialization opportunities before that through the library and play dates. My youngest started upk this year and some of her classmates hadn't done any preschool before that even.

Re: Need school opinions

I didn’t send my kids to a 2s program.
They went to a part time 3s and a full time 4s and were top of their class in K.
I honestly think the kid starts “getting it” at 3.5.
They will be fine no matter what you decide.

Need school opinions

My so. Is 2 and LOVES his little 2 ‘a program. But at 2 it’s not necessary imo. It’s more for me a few hours a week, I’m a sham and no sitters.
It really depends on you. I think it’s wonderful and his speech/vocabulary has blossomed and he continues to grow.

Re: Need school opinions

I would do it. Your kids will be among the oldest in the class! I put my May bday DS in a two year old program and he was fine. He wasn’t potty trained yet- most kids aren’t at that age.

I decided not to put in my October bday DD this past September bc she was only 22 months old at the beginning of school. I didn’t feel that was good for her. We are waiting until the upcoming September to start in the 3 yo program.