Kids w/Nannies and Pre-School?

DS is turning 3 in September and everyone is asking us if he is going to pre-school in the fall. He has been in daycare before, has no separation issues and is pretty smart (knows letters, numbers, speaks incredibly well for his age). So we weren't going to enroll him this year b/c we have a full-time nanny (it's expensive to do both).

But, I have this nagging feeling he could really benefit from even a few days a week just to learn the routine, do new activities/exposure to things and meet some new kids. DH finally agreed.

We are expecting a baby in December so I thought it would be good to have DS established in his school routine before that huge change, but DH wants to wait until the baby is here for DS to start school so the nanny has something to do while DS is in school (school would be 3 hours and she's with him 11 hours a day).

What would you do? Enroll him in Sept or in Jan?

Re: Kids w/Nannies and Pre-School?

I've never really thought preschool was necessary other than for the effort of preparing for Kindergarten (whether that be for social, emotional, or educational purposes). I've taught preschool for 10+ years (am now a stay-at-home mom) and I've always known that I wouldn't enroll my kids until 4 yrs old. Any younger, it's more just babysitting rather than school, so I think if you've already got a nanny then there's really no purpose in putting your child in preschool yet. My DD is 4 now and I'm starting her in part time preschool in the fall only because kindergarten where I am is full time and I fear suddenly throwing her into an all day, 5 day a week program with no transition. So if your DS is only 3, I really don't think preschool is a necessity yet. If it were ME, I'd either start in January or wait until Fall when he's 4.

Congrats on baby on the way! I'm also due in December with #2

Message edited 8/3/2015 11:04:22 AM.

Re: Kids w/Nannies and Pre-School?

If you think he doesn't need the nursery school at 3 I would just wait until September and do pre-k.

If you want him in a nursery school I would do in September - btw if he is in school and the nanny has free time she could do plenty of organizing and helping out to get things ready for the baby, cleaning, etc.

That is what our nanny did when the boys were in school for a couple of hours.

Re: Kids w/Nannies and Pre-School?

I'd probably wait until at least January, or maybe even the following September.

Re: Kids w/Nannies and Pre-School?

I enrolled my kids at 3 & 3.5 for a few days a week (both in September).

I think having a set schedule is good before the baby comes... and my kids loved preschool.

Have your nanny cook/clean/do drop off/run errands in the meanwhile (3 hours is not that long).

Kids w/Nannies and Pre-School?

The schools I looked into didnt take kids in January becuase they are usually full already.