I feel bad for not sending Ian to preschool this year

~*Bethy*~ · #1 September 9th, 2009, 08:47 AM

Hes almost 4, and we dont have the money to put him through preschool, but I dont want to put him through the state's headstart (I know its free, but...just...no.) Am I doing the right thing by keeping him at home till kindergarten? he still has another year left of preschool (2010/11) So maybe we can afford it by then...I just fell really bad because everyone else is sending their 3yr old (Morgan should be going too but shes not 3 yet) and it kinda makes me jealous! WWYD?

~Beth

**jessie** · #2 September 9th, 2009, 09:02 AM

I don't know much about Oregon's headstart program, but I wouldn't feel bad about not sending his this year. Maybe you could just save up this year and send him next? Just from my own experience, I didn't attend preschool at all and went straight into kindergarten. I did have a bit of catching up do do (basic reading and math), but it all worked out okay.

~*Bethy*~ · #3 September 9th, 2009, 09:12 AM

And see thats the thing also - I was kept at home, but I could read and do math in kinder! I emailed the school asking if I could volunteer to get a discount and am awaiting a response. thanks for your input jessie!! I guess hubby needs to find a better job....

#4 September 9th, 2009, 09:42 AM

I think its awesome that you asked for the discount if you volunteered! Preschool can be very expensive

I think that preschool is very important, but if you don't have the money, you don't have the money! I would try to get him in next year, even if its just very part time (can he go 1-2x per week?)

#5 September 9th, 2009, 09:54 AM

In NY we're very lucky to have both Head Start and Universal Pre-K in the public schools. I don't think he'll be at any loss if you work with him on the things they would do in Pre-K!

~*Bethy*~ · #6 September 9th, 2009, 10:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bre+Will=Reid

I think its awesome that you asked for the discount if you volunteered! Preschool can be very expensive

I think that preschool is very important, but if you don't have the money, you don't have the money! I would try to get him in next year, even if its just very part time (can he go 1-2x per week?)

I will ask them. They are only 3 days anyways, so Ill ask them and see what they say!

~Beth

Resi · #7 September 9th, 2009, 11:01 AM

I would not worry about it. Your teaching him at home, right? If you have him involved in other ways to socialize with kids his age he is set.

If I have it my way I'm going to homeschool from start to finish.

~*Bethy*~ · #8 September 9th, 2009, 11:06 AM

Yes, Resi - and thats my other option - is to homeschool with the waldorf education, and not have to pay a million $$ a year. I was homeschooled, and both Ian and Morgan love to learn, its made teaching them so far super easy! I want to find a waldorf inspired playgroup to take them to. They socialize now, but with a 6 and 8 year old (practically cousins) but its hard because all Konner likes to talk about is Superman, spiderman and guns. Not to mention he has ADHD....

Resi · #9 September 9th, 2009, 11:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ~*Bethy*~

Yes, Resi - and thats my other option - is to homeschool with the waldorf education, and not have to pay a million $$ a year. I was homeschooled, and both Ian and Morgan love to learn, its made teaching them so far super easy! I want to find a waldorf inspired playgroup to take them to. They socialize now, but with a 6 and 8 year old (practically cousins) but its hard because all Konner likes to talk about is Superman, spiderman and guns. Not to mention he has ADHD....

You should do some googling for homeschooled children in your area. I bet there are a lot of groups to get together with.

szczepanski · #10 September 9th, 2009, 11:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MichelleAnne

In NY we're very lucky to have both Head Start and Universal Pre-K in the public schools. I don't think he'll be at any loss if you work with him on the things they would do in Pre-K!

I did NOT know that! All these things I will have to learn, hehe.

Bethy as long as you are teaching them at home, I don't think they will be at any disadvantage when they are able to go or start kindergarten.

~*Bethy*~ · #11 September 9th, 2009, 11:48 AM

they sent me the assisted tuition application and information - she really wants me to come visit the school and just talk with her to get a better feel for them - wouldnt hurt, right?

ShannonMVT · #12 September 9th, 2009, 12:16 PM

Preschool is really expensive, I dunno if we'll do it either. You can teach him at home and try to find playgroups so he can socialize with other kidlets.

As long as he learns the basics at home and knows how to behave in a social setting, I think he'll be ready for kinder.

Nope, it can't hurt just to go and check out the preschool. Just see what they say.

~*Bethy*~ · #13 September 9th, 2009, 03:49 PM

thats what hubby said too, just go and get a feel for it - if I still feel very strongly after seeing it, then well figure out a way other wise just keep on doing what Im doing!

Frozendesire · #14 September 9th, 2009, 04:01 PM

I think that sounds like a good idea.. go and see it!

I'm not sure what we'll be doing... I need to look at all my options. I'm not really sure how the school system here works but I know kindergarten and on is free and I think there are some pre k that is too??? I'm not against public school as long as it's in a great area of town... we NEED to move...

JediRach · #15 September 9th, 2009, 08:13 PM

I would work with him at home instead. I skipped preschool and I have always done well in school. My parents kept me home and I went straight into kindergarten. I have always excelled and never had any problems. Get some early reading and math books and try and do a little bit everyday. He'll probably be ahead of the class in a year.

*krista* · #16 September 10th, 2009, 06:06 AM

I would just teach him the stuff he would be learning at home. It would be fun!

Adriana's Mommy · #17 September 10th, 2009, 07:20 AM

I don't think it's wrong.. I would be nervous too.. If I were you. I could contact your local collage and speak to the head of the child development director/teacher.. Ask them who they would recommend in your situation. They can refer you to child care centers that take Aid, etc and they will refer you to the best. I'm sure there's got to be someone out there..

I'm vary blessed that my mom is going to take Adriana in for free when she's 2 1/2 years old.. My mom owns a child care center (only does pre-school) and she's one of the best preschools in my area.. And if she wasn't my mom, I could NEVER afford her.. She even told me that flat out.. It's so expensive.. I think she charges $650 - $700 a month..

~*Bethy*~ · #18 September 10th, 2009, 11:28 AM

oh geeze - yeah I can MAYBE do 200 a month and thats streatching it....I think we just planned on leaving him at home till kinder. i still feel bad...he asks me everyday to go to school - and his younger cousin is going....

freesiangel · #19 September 10th, 2009, 12:34 PM

I wouldn't feel bad... I haven't looked into what preschool is like around here, but I plan on doing it myself anyway. I also plan on joining a free/cheap group of sorts with children in the same age group so that she gets the socialization aspect of it as well.

Good luck!

**Jenn** · #20 September 10th, 2009, 04:06 PM

Don't feel bad about it Beth. I'm in the same situation with Liam, although his birthday falls late so he'd be in the 3 year old program this year. We just can't afford the thousands of dollars it is to send him to preschool--even at only 3 days a week. And headstart is just not an option, no way am I sending him there.

We're just going to continue to teach him the basics at home. The dollar store has lots of great preschool age workbooks and we stock up on those and he loves to learn with them. I don't think your kids will be behind especially since you work with them at home.