preschool

[Kaytee]

So where I grew up (Indiana/ Illinois, chicago area) it is normal for a 3 year old to go to preschool for 2 days a week then at 4 go three days a week. So now I live in Texas, where it seems the only ones who go to pre-K are either the poor, on govt. assistance programs like Head start, or the rich who send their kids to a mannasory(sp) school. Which looks like would cost me about 250 a month to send her to. Ummm yay don't got that, I'm stuck like right above the public assistance people, too poor to afford anything and to much to get any help)
So is anyone else think its odd not to go to pre-k or odd to go for that matter.
I really want Nichole to go when she is 3, being that I am a SAHM and she is with me.. well I am never away from her. I have only been away from her 4 times ever, twice with her dad, for about 30 min-an hour and once with my mom (she was sleeping though) and once with dh's mom (again she was sleeping) I want her to get out and be by herself in that kind of setting before sending the girl away to all day kindergarten. hmm so not sure if this was more of a vent or a question but whats your opinions.

[Melissa]

I think that for the average kid preschool is optional. She'll still do fine in kindergarten if she has a pretty much normal life. What isn't optional is downtime for you or time to accomplish necessary things.

When my first girl was a baby I belonged to a Mamatoto group. All of us had given birth around the same time. I was in a smaller group that split off due to similar interests, etc. This group with weekly playtimes gave me a group of women I felt comfortable with and we were sometimes able to exchange childcare. My 10 year old is still best friends with one of the kids in this group and we still exchange childcare! Today for instance!

I would look into mom's/parent's groups in your area. I believe that MOPS (mother's of preschoolers) is national.

And, on the homefront, now that my youngest is five, I have finally figured out that I need at least one "day off" each week. So usually I get Saturday and I give my husband Sunday. We have to be flexible due to special events, birthdays, etc. But it helps to know that I'll have a day on my own right around the corner.

Oh I forgot kindergarten is all day now. I really think that's too long for a lot of kids, preschooled or not. We have one charter school in town that has half day kindergarten, which is more appropriate, I think.

At least you have a while to think it over!

[happy2bg33k]

As a practical point a lot of Montessori schools also have a scholarship fund for students who qualify and/or parent volunteering to offset some of the costs. And, HeadStarts are legally mandated to have a certain number of slots devoted to children who are above the income guidelines. You should check with the local agency that facilitates the programs.

[Kaytee]

Thanks for the advise! I have a moms groups I go to twice a week actually. Prob is that I have to drive 45 min each way to get to it. Being that I parent differently then a lot of parents, (nothing wrong with other parenting styles, just nice to know people who do it your way kinda thing. ) So exchanging childcare is well not possible. lol Anyways I will think of somehting before too long.
She is very much a mommas girl at this point and has the fun screaming fits when I leaver her at church nursery or if I just shut the bathroom door to take a shower! Luckily it doesn't last long and she will calm down after about 5 min.
Again thanks all

[TAR]

Ok to make things clear... Headstart is not only for the poor on gov. assistance... My 4 year old will start Headstart this year (we don't have a ton of money but we are not on gov. assistance either)... Headstart progarams have programs for families who don't have a lot of money and families who can afford to pay a little... You have to call and ask if they have a pre-K program along with the Headstart program. I live in New Mexico... Here they have the Headstart program that is for people who met the income guidelines which is in my case a family of 4 (in the house) income has to be below 27k a year.. If the family is above that they enroll in Pre-k they pay for a class that I believe in total is less than $80 a month. They also have assistance to help families who make over the income guidelines and still can not pay for the program. You have to talk to them so they can evaluate you families needs. But in NM these programs are all day and all week.. Good luck in your search.

[Kaytee]

Thanks Tar, I have not personally talked to them, my friend who has a almost 3 year old told me thats what they told her when she called. I will have to figure somehting out. I really want her to go to pre-k even for just one year, but I cna't afford 50 bucks a month! lol

[TAR]

Oh I understand... But look around.. We just by a hair were able to get in to the headstart, they almost didn't let us, but after looking over things we got in. I have to volunteer like 3 times this year in one of the classrooms and provide snacks on 2 day.. I can do that... I know it's crazy.. I was thinking when I was looking around this is freakin Preschool not collage why is this so hard!!!!!!!!!!! LOL

[Kaytee]

lol more work fo rhte parents then the kids at least