Would you send your two year old to this preschool?

[Bum Wrap]

Last minute, my sister decided to send her two year old twins (girl/boy) to preschool. I'm sure waiting until November to scout out her options did not leave her with many choices... I've taught preschool and know how fast classes fill up. They are enrolled in a M,W,F class from 11:15AM to 1:45PM... does 2.5 hours seem long to anyone else for toddlers?

Being a certified teacher in two states, having a masters degree and an older special needs child, she has asked my opinion as she knows I will have one. I always do.

I really tried to keep an open mind, but I dislike the school....plain and simple. Their philosophy is unlike anything I've encountered in any preschool I have taught in or any I was exposed to as a graduate student or any books on early childhood I've read. I've read the website, looked at reviews and called the location to "inquire" as a prospective parent and all I can see is an academic, very structured preschool even for the littlest ones.. what two year old needs phonics?! There is no unstructured play time which bothers me the most... this is when they learn... there is free time, but students are offered selected activities from which to choose. I can understand having indoor play space as this is a year round school and Chandler can get very hot in the summer months, but the children never go outside... maybe there is not space. Additionally, the teachers are not required to be certified?! And most are not...wth? I also could not get a clear answer on their child to teacher ratio. When the staff member I spoke to answered my questions, she often responded with, "We meet the minimum standards for Arizona's Early Learners standards." Huh?

Today, I started to get questions from all the grandparents too. Our father has called me twice! I'd like to hear from others... all opinions are welcome. You can also PM or email me too. Maybe you have looked or tried this preschool?

I need more than, "I wouldn't send my cat there." when we speak Monday and before Auntie keels over from cardiac arrest imagining their little spirits being quashed and squished out before they reach three next October.

http://www.carebearpreschool.com/

Thank you.
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[CrunchyClark]

Most of your objections sound like things that could be very valid if the program was full-time. I don't think 2.5 hrs seems like too long for toddlers. I assume lunch is in there so that will take up at least 30-45 minutes I'd guess.

I think I'd spend time there before getting worked up over a website. If your sister liked the place, go with it! She could always spend time there for a few days to see how it goes.

The program does sound overly structured to me, but I doubt it will harm them going only a few hours a week. If your sister is planning on them to go to public school, perhaps the early indoctrination into the classroom environment will be helpful. And perhaps your sister needs the break from them?

Looks like pretty much what a headstart type program covers and thousands if not hundreds of thousands of kids do that every day/month/year and go on to school successfully.


Just playing devil's advocate here....as personally I'd not take my toddlers to any preschool program So, anything looks like too much to me! LOL
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[christywills]

I'd say good luck to the teachers trying to get young 2 yr olds to cooperate to that extent. Have they visited the school when children are there? Maybe they could do a one week trial to see if this is a good idea or not.
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[JBTreasures]

The parents of the twins I babysat just did that to me... Like didn't even tell me they were going to put their kids in and I didn't need to babysit them! I couldn't imagine doing that to my daughter. 2.5 hours is a long time for her.
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[trista]

My 2 yo is in preschool and the class is 2.5 hours, M/W. The amount of time works really well for her, so as far as that aspect, I don't think it's a problem. But no, I wouldn't send my toddler/preschooler to a place like that! My kids go to a co-op preschool, and co-op philosophy is that of play-based learning, and letting the children be the guides in their learning experience. The only "structure" in my 2 yo's preschool morning is the schedule - for example there is 1 hour of freeplay, then story time, then potty/handwash time, then snacks, then dancing/goofy play, then large motor skills play, etc.

I don't think it'll hurt your niece/nephew to go to such a structured school, but I don't think they'll learn as much as they would if they were in an environment where they could learn on their own at their own pace. I truly believe that preschoolers learn the most and retain it the best in a play-based setting. It amazes me how few parents realize what children can learn simply by stacking blocks, playing dressup, turning the pages of a book that they can't yet read....

So many parents & teachers want babies to become miniature adults far too soon. *sigh*.
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[whidbeymom]

[Bum Wrap]

Thanks to everyone for their feedback. If health issues had not resurfaced, we would have been in Arizona this coming week and I could have personally seen the place. And as one friend put it..."This can be just a temporary thing and since your mom and step dad live close by maybe they can help find other choices for next year."

My sister tends to be over spontaneous and while there is nothing wrong with that trait, I feel she just jumped on the first opportunity she found that had two openings. I had mentioned looking into recreational activities like Soccer for Tots or some sort of movement class when she asked what she could do with them this year that would be helpful in a "growing way" as she put it to me. Obviously, from my post above, I had not anticipated such a jump from nothing to a preschool such as this.. now that I've had time to process, I'm just going to ask her why she choose this school and then bring up my concerns in a less panicked manner.

[cuppa java]

I think it looks like a nice place with a lot of opportunity to learn. Being so structured for a few hours per week doesn't seem so bad to me.

One thing it will do is prepare them for the current public school education. Children are expected to know how to read fluently by the end of kindergarten now. Most children in our area are going to pre-school in order to enter kindergarten already reading. It's practically an expectation from the school... that they will be reading by the time they enter kindergarten.

They are expected to be able to count to 20, recognize the numbers to 20, read simple words, know how to write letters and recognize those letters, know how to write and spell their name, and much more.... all before entering kindergarten.

When my 15 year old went to K, the kids came in not knowing their colors, how to count to 10, or the ABC song. Things have changed a great deal.

Teri
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[LilMama23]

It is certainly much, much more structured than I would like to be with my daughter.

But if they are planning to attend public school, I think it could be beneficial for reasons mentioned above.
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[vickieboggs]

I would never ever send a 2 year old to preschool.......they are way too young, 2.5 hours is perfect length for preschool but not for 2 year olds and free playtime would be a must for me.
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madebyvickie

[ItsASnap/Marnas Mayhem]

no way no how. I had a nightmare about it just the other night.

I don't care what my state's standards are, they are not getting my baby in their system at 2 years old and likely never.
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[bugaboo]

My 3 yr old started Montessori when she was 2.5 and my almost 2 will start next month. I see nothing wrong with it...they give them more stimulation then I could and have more thing then I could ever have in our house.
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