Home Day Care vs Other Types

[jokalima]

I know this has been talked before but I would love to read what you think about it.

I have 3 older DCK ages 3.5 to almost 5, they are all very smart and independent, all 3 girls. One of them goes to another school for 1/2 a day, a "better" school, a "unbelievable and unique opportunity for any child" so she was changed from full DC here to 1/2 so she could have this opportunity. What I have noticed is that the ones that stayed with me full time write their names and last names clearly and in a not messy way, they know their numbers in 2 languages, same for the alphabet, shapes and colors, they know how to make patterns and even how to mix some colors, they are learning very nicely the sounds of the letters and days of the week, they know about God and I can understand not everyone wants this, but using Bible themes for a months have been so awesome and we've learned a lot from both Bible and not Bible related things. My other DCK, the one that attends this awesome school does not do any of this, and I must be clear with something; I am not a curriculum freak, I am pretty easy going with it and even let them have days where is just exploring on their own, and most of their days are like this anyways, I just make sure to have group time every day and some type of project 2-3 days a week.

One of the parents of this girl came in the other day and was surprised on how the other kids were writing their names. So my question is, is it the child or is it just that all of this fuzz with this new early learning centers and how good they are for our kids is just a load of ???
I was considering these types of program for my child for when he turns 3, but at this moment I am not sure this is what i want for him, they also have mixed age groups ( 3-6 ) and this girl has been complaining and even crying about the older kids being mean to her because she is little. I am not sure of wanting my child in a mixed age group in that area of the town, I have worked with children from that area in a preschool setting and I would not want my 3yo in that environment.

My thoughts are that is not the school what makes a great student or makes him/her the next Albert Einstein, is the parents and the teachers. Would like to know what others think. I mean, for me is diff, because I keep hearing how great this programs are, and once he is in, he is in until he finishes school, but at the same time i want what is best for him and I am not convinced that just because the district says that this is where the best education is he will get the best

[melilley]

I agree, it is the teachers and parents that make a child successful, not a school because it is supposed to "be the best". Many times these early learning centers have many children in one classroom so it is difficult to get the one on one to be able to make sure the children are learning. 3-6 is a big age gap too! But I have to say it depends on the school too. There are very good learning centers out there and bad ones. I worked at a learning center and I have to say we did get lots of compliments on how much the children were learning, well at least I did, I did work with toddlers, but the parents were amazed that their child could sing a song or would ask how it went because they didn't know it, but their child did. Or they knew some letters or colors. Now I know this is different for the older children, but the proof in learning is in the child. The fact that the children in your care are learning more than the children in the "best school" speaks for itself! Sounds like you're a great teacher!

[countrymom]

omg, we must have the same kid. I was just telling dh the same thing. Dck was sent to this awesome school to learn all sorts of things and be prepared for school (we start school at the age of 4 here) well she learned all sorts of things, things like, nasty little songs, how to hide toys, how to lie to me...this dck was so good up until she went to this school. The parents wanted her to learn about writing her name, the colors and other things, all the things that I covered with her as a matter of fact she was writing her name at the age of 3, but as soon as she went to the special school all of it stopped.

I truely believe that if you have a good teacher and parents that can help you, your child will succeed, I have 4 of my own who are proof of it. We've encountered poor teachers, and my ds is now suffering 2 yrs later because of this, and I'm now paying extra money (tutoring) to fix it.

I also believe that we need to work as a unit. I can only do so much on my end, and I expect the teachers to work on thier end, and when we combine, it will be the best thing for the children. But if I'm left doing it all, well its not going to work.

[Candy]

I was going to try to join the TLE franchise which is suppose to be a really good center. I have looked at and it is beautiful and they have an awesome curriculum. But some parents have said that because it is a center and has large classrooms their child doesn't get the one on one attention like at a home daycare. Just because it is suppose to be the best school doesn't mean its best for every child. Some kids just need to be in small groups for that one on one attention or they get lost in the crowd.

[Sugar Magnolia]

I'm a small center with small group size, multi-age approach. Couldn't agree with you more. Big Box centers are like the Big Box stores....cheap, poor service, under paid employees, less knowledgeable employees, hands-off ownership....all with the goal of putting the Main Street, mom and pop places out of business. My Big Kids group does a laid back curriculum also, but its my environment that make my "alumni" more prepared and successful in school.
I hope the little girl returns to your program full time!