Hi Moms, I am a SAHM and my son will be 4 in Sept and will be attending Pre-K. Last year he attended a preschool, but over the summer we had him in Kindercare 2 days a week, to keep him in the routine and also because we just had a new baby 4 weeks ago. We really really liked Kindercare and would like to keep him there for the school year, which they have a Pre-K program because academically I feel they have a stronger program than his previous school. Our reservation is him getting sick and bringing it home to our newborn. I don't mean to sound like a germ a phobe, but at his previous school, its all SAHM (or grandparents) so when the kids have a runny nose- they keep the kids home because they can. In which, my son only got sick a few times last year. At his new school- the Kindercare- its more full time kids of working full time parents. In which, they are more likely to send them to school with runny noses and only keep them home when they are really sick or have a fever (when they have to keep them home). Which of course worries me, because not only do we not want our 4 yo getting sick all the time, but also not his baby brother. Soooo, what do we do? What would you do? Send him to the better academic school or keep him safe from all the germs and send him to his old school (which isn't a bad school, but I just don't feel he would learn as much). Thanks ladies!!
My daughter was in the Pre-K program at her daycare over the Summer last year. When the school offered the same program, I felt bad by taking her away from her daycare. After I got over that and realized she would get the same if not more opportunities to learn and the fact that I did not have to pay for her to be in school all day...I chose the school program.
Nanc
I'd send him to the one with the least amount of germs. At age four, the academics aren't really a priority (in my opinion).
Having a new baby can be hard when it comes to the germs. I lean towards keeping him at the old school and just ask lots of questions. I find that I stay on my toes more when parents act like they care. Most of my parents seem too busy to be that interested in the learning portion of what I do. Most of them in fact assume we just play all day.
no matter what kind of school you pick there are germs all over he will bring them home parent send kids to school with colds ect all the time. Relax the more they are exposed to the less they will get when older you have no control over it just always wash hands
Send him to the better school.
You can't keep him safe from all the germs, and exposure to germs builds up immunities. Take the normal precautions of frequent hand washing, etc.
For what it's worth my kids both go to a daycare preschool and I don't feel like they are sick excessively, and the school has a sick policy (as far as not allowing sick kids). Take a look at cleanliness and procedures- my school makes them wash their hands all the time.
I know it's tough when they're so little, but my ped. did agree that most of their illnesses they will get and only once, so if they have a cold in preschool that's one less time they'll be sick in elementary school. Just a thought.
By the time your SAH parents from the other school noticed a runny nose, the kid was already contagious. It's brewing and contagious before symptoms show. I don't believe that his old school was really any less germy. Send him where he'll get the best preparation for kindy. Not everyone's kids get sick all the time. Mine were/are rarely sick.
You have a newborn, so its understandable about "germs" and the infant getting sick... per your older child if he switches schools.
Now... if you feel he is not being challenged enough at his current Preschool:
1) you teach him things at home. I did that with both my kids, and still do... even if my kids went to a Preschool. I still do that now, and my kids are in Kindergarten and 4th grade.
2) Thus, you can keep your son at his current "preschool."
3) Then, when are you sending him to Kindergarten? In Kindergarten, regardless of where a child went to preschool or what they learned there... Kindergarten is going to be a learning thing for the child too. AND they will all learn there. Even similar things to Preschool.... but more complex perhaps, depending on the Kindergarten curriculum.
4) Your son, WILL be attending a 'Pre-K' in Sept. So that's fine. Perfectly fine. He will learn other things in Pre-K.
Whether it is Pre-K or Kindercare or a play-school environment... a kid learns things. Then in Kindergarten, they will learn other things.
Being he is 4... the main thing is not only "academics" but socialization and learning to follow direction, and structure etc.
It is not only about "academics" in other words.
I wouldn't fret about this.
Just keep him where he is.
That's fine
Just keep your son where he is.
But keep in mind, that at any new school, kids tend to get sick... a lot, until their body gets used to a school's germ atmosphere. This goes for adults, too.
Since you have a new born and have the ability to be a SHAM. Home is best. He's already caught enough colds to up his immune system, and you really don't need the baby getting sick just yet. No matter where he goes to school, he will catch colds. You can even catch colds just grocery shopping, because people don't cover their mouths when they sneeze and when they do, they put their hands on everything. You can always teach your child preschool and kindergarten stuff yourself. It's really not that hard. The benefit is you save money.
Honestly the body's ability to catch and fight germs and disease makes the body stronger not weaker. The main thing to keep in mind is hand washing is important. When you child does catch a cold, using antibacterial gel is equally important after blowing noses, sneezing and coughing (even though kids are taught now to cough into their arm instead of into their hands). I'm just curious as to how long the germs stay on the sleeves?
Teaching the 4 year old to stay out of the baby's face will also be important. All that kissing and close contact will spread the germs. Also as baby gets older the sharing of food, drink and the binky can also spread germs. It will also be possible for the baby to contaminate the 4 year old.
Long story short, keep your 4 year old healthy with loads of vitamin C and send him to the best school for his development.
