Preschool or nursery?

Mayola Sylva: homeschooling is better

Alphonso Brake: I think you should be looking for a preschool, since your daughter is going to be 4 years old by September next year.

Jasper Mangel: You need to pay for 3 year old programs. What used to be called nursery school is now preschool, which have programs for three and four year olds. There are preschools for four year olds that are free, especially if they are run out of public schools, a trend we are seeing more of. If you decide to go the religious route, you generally pay for those programs.Most pre-K programs go for 2 1/2 hours per day, unless your child is receiving services. You are not mandated by law to enroll your child in these programs, although studies have shown this sort of head start allows for better performance in school....Show more

Nedra Oltz: Ive worked as an assistant at a preschool in ny for 5 years now. This school claims that they can teach ages as low as two years old. I work wit! h the two year olds and the teacher I'm working with is extremely talented at getting the kids to stay still and repeat what she says in a typical classroom fashion. The only problem is, is that children that young aren't supposed to be learning in a typical classroom structure as many push. They learn through observation and age appropriate, and personal correction, which is why my heart breaks ever day while at work. Love a 2 year old requires is replaced by strict rules and standards way too high for them to process. Normal, and natural curiosity tends to get the best of them, as they try to get up and wander on their own. This is often recognized by teachers as being a problem ( such as ADD, but thats bull ishhh i know) Children 0 - 3 belong in a relaxed, loving setting in which they can learn naturally. I would suggest that a three year old, IF NECESSARY, be placed in a nursery or play school with a very small group setting, and watched by reasonable, m! ature people . I would suggest looking for a place that has c! ameras installed as well as a very open staff and management. Even four year olds require less structure and learning through play and observation, which is why the UPK program, which I have two years experience in, mandates that we give no homework and do not teach letters directly by making kids stare at index cards as a group.I would say find a nice nursery, with an open friendly staff, with cameras... Make sure that when you go to pick up your kid you don't see the staff gossiping all the time, that's a really bad sign. A lot of people I work with gossip so damn much that they don't pay attention to what the child or parents are doing, there the ones who give a ishhhh less about the child's well fare. Make sure you find a place that makes you and your child comfortable....Show more