I've hm'd and ha'd over whether or not to switch the boys to a different preschool for next year. You have to make these decisions; what seems like, so early due to pre registration and registration. If you miss the boat you may be ass'd out. It's crazy cause it's just preschool... who knew it would be this tormenting to a mother!
I remember when my husband said when Andrew turned 1 ... "We need to get him into something?!" (educational or school like) I said, "OK, I will look into it!" Thinking to myself the kid is 1 years old what happened to being a kid, we're already concerned about school. He's barely out of the womb and we are already wanting him to learn the ABC's, count to 10, socialize and share with other kids, follow direction etc. etc. etc. etc. The list could really go on and on!
So... I found a preschool that took 1 year olds, there's not many of them but they are out there. It's a Co-op Preschool called Crystal Springs. I figured it was cheaper to do that one day a week then the Little Gym, so why not!
I have really liked it there despite a few differences of opinion in some of their choices, but overall I really enjoy the community feel, knowing the other kids and parents, making friendships and relationships that I wouldn't normally have made, being a part of my kids education and experience and having them do art somewhere other than my living room couches. It's great!
Why switch right? Well, we have this other preschool Kids at the Creek, right near our house and it's drop off. So, mommy would get 2 1/2 hours twice a week to herself instead of 1 day a week at Co-op. But there's drawbacks, it's more expensive and you don't get to be a part of the curriculum and decision making and therefore there's no real community feel because you really don't have an opportunity to make relationships with the other kids or parents since you may only see them fleetingly in the valet drop off parking lot.
Then there were other co-ops closer to our house, but the kids would be in separate classes that would make my commitment even greater and my schedule of taking kids to school crazy town at best. There never seems to be a perfect fit so you just have to pick the best one I guess. I think I also wanted to switch because I have a few friends/fellow moms that take or are going to take their kids to Kids at the Creek so that peer pressure starts to build. It's funny how that never goes away 10 + years out of high school.
After a lot of hm'ing and ha'ing over it, we've decided to stay at Crystal Springs. It came down to mostly the money for me. We want to put the boys in soccer, gymnastics, t-ball etc. other stuff as they grow older and spending less on preschool will afford those other things. My husband lives in the attitude of we'll make it work, which I know we will, but it will be easier to make it work without too much sacrifice if we save where we can.
After all this negotiation with myself and my husband, lost sleep, it taking over my mind and the overanalyzation that I tend to do I can help but think to myself... Geez, it's just preschool for heaven's sake!
I know it's important for their future, but is there really a difference on how well a kid will grow into an adult whether he goes to Co-op, Montessori, Home School or not at all when it comes to preschool? I don't know, it would be interesting to find out.
It came down to the money, but also the community feel that Co-op brings. I love making new friendships and being a part of the decisions that get made at my kids school. I love how everyone comes together to make it all work for the kids. That's just a really great thing to be a part of. I understand not everyone can do the Co-op thing, but if you can it's a great experience and well worth it.
