Even though Dylan will not turn three until the end of November, the topic of preschool crosses my mind at least a couple of times a week. He will not be going in the fall, as both my husband and I do not think he is ready just yet. He seems very ready in some ways, but not quite in others. For example, he is making strides with using the potty but he is not yet fully potty trained. On the other hand, although he stays home with me much of the time he thrives in group settings and is eager for the chance to interact with other children.
We have not yet chosen what preschool Dylan will attend. In fact, we have not even gone to look at any of the schools in our area yet. I have looked around to see what kinds of schools there are, and I am thinking that we may choose a Waldorf or Montessori school if he seems interested in one of those.
Right now, one of the most pressing concerns is whether we will be able to afford to send him to a private preschool, if we find that there is one that we like. I have heard that the Waldorf school considers financial need in determining tuition, but I am not sure whether the Montessori school has a similar policy. I know that many parents educate their preschoolers at home, and there is a part of me that thinks that I could do plenty for him at home, as far as the educational aspect of things. That said, Dylan seems so eager to engage in group activities as well as the experience of “going to school”. It seems as if I would be taking something from him by not enrolling him in preschool in the spring. Perhaps I am worrying myself unnecessarily, and perhaps a clear answer will suggest itself once we get down to business and actually visit a couple of schools together. Until then, though, I will probably have preschool on my mind from time to time.