Threatening To Pull For Formal Pre-k

[daycarediva]

because a 3.5yo only knows a handful of letters and JUST learned to recognize his name?

Kid with moderate speech issues
moderate-severe discipline issues
ZERO social skills


Those are awesome priorities. I have worked VERY hard with this child, #1 getting him help for apraxia and coordinating therapists to come to MY home and doing therapy exercises with him MYSELF. #2 his behavior and social skills have come a long way with MY direct supervision and attention 50 hours a week for over a year.

I almost said "Your child will learn when he is ready to sit, listen and follow directions."

I see more and more of this! Push towards academics but young childhood and social skills/self help skills fall to the side. If she places him in the preschool she mentioned, they don't HAVE an academic program, it's prek in name only and is a center daycare.

[Cat Herder]

If she places him in the preschool she mentioned, they don't HAVE an academic program, it's prek in name only and is a center daycare.

Geeze Louise, way to be a team player.

Don't you remember they sent a few "lead teachers" to night school for a month or two, paid for memberships to childcare unions, bought the required toys and posters so their State will tell parents they are a "Quality" program... :confused::confused: If the State gets enough "quality programs" they get more Federal $$$$

We are supposed to "support quality initiatives" don't ya know.... ::::

[DaycareMom]

That is so frustrating!!!
I can't stand when parents don't understand everything that you do for their children. You went way above and beyond!!!
She will probably ask you to care for her child after it doesn't work out at the "preschool".
Sorry you are going thru that. Good luck!

[Leanna]

Oh you touched a nerve! Why do parents all of a sudden think their 3 or 4 year old isn't learning unless they are in a "preschool?" Why do they think a ratio of 1:18 is suddenly better than 1:6? Why do ABC's and 123's become the only thing worth a child knowing? Why do desperately needed social/emotional skills like problem solving, conflict resolution, taking turns, manners, listening while others are talking, etc. become non-important? UGH. I have a BS in early childhood and am technically more qualified than many of these "preschool teachers" but because I run a family child care with mixed-aged groups, child-focused emergent curriculum it is not appropriate for a 3/4 y.o?????!!!!
Ok. Sorry. Had to get that off my chest.

[melilley]

Oh you touched a nerve! Why do parents all of a sudden think their 3 or 4 year old isn't learning unless they are in a "preschool?" Why do they think a ratio of 1:18 is suddenly better than 1:6? Why do ABC's and 123's become the only thing worth a child knowing? Why do desperately needed social/emotional skills like problem solving, conflict resolution, taking turns, manners, listening while others are talking, etc. become non-important? UGH. I have a BS in early childhood and am technically more qualified than many of these "preschool teachers" but because I run a family child care with mixed-aged groups, child-focused emergent curriculum it is not appropriate for a 3/4 y.o?????!!!!
Ok. Sorry. Had to get that off my chest.

[Shell]

Oh you touched a nerve! Why do parents all of a sudden think their 3 or 4 year old isn't learning unless they are in a "preschool?" Why do they think a ratio of 1:18 is suddenly better than 1:6? Why do ABC's and 123's become the only thing worth a child knowing? Why do desperately needed social/emotional skills like problem solving, conflict resolution, taking turns, manners, listening while others are talking, etc. become non-important? UGH. I have a BS in early childhood and am technically more qualified than many of these "preschool teachers" but because I run a family child care with mixed-aged groups, child-focused emergent curriculum it is not appropriate for a 3/4 y.o?????!!!!
Ok. Sorry. Had to get that off my chest.

Couldn't agree with you more!!! I have a BS in early childhood, years and years teaching preschool thru kindergarten, and likely provide more of a structured and academic curriculum than most preschools around. I have worked in public and private preschools, and have seen first hand how little academic learning is actually taking place. However, I just lost a dcg to a preschool because mom said she was feeling pressure when people asked her what preschool her child attended

[TwinKristi]

I'm actually about to start a thread about a similar issue I'm having, but said child is not even 21 mos, and it's not a threat because of me, it's just what she wants to do... :confused:

[JoseyJo]

AND the recent post about the child being tied to her cot was at a "preschool"

[cheerfuldom]

very frustrating especially for those that have a lot of education and are providing a lot of academics in their program anyway. I don't do worksheets and structured curriculum. People tried to make me feel bad about my oldest not knowing x y and z before starting kindergarten but guess what, she is doing GREAT. We worked on emotional maturity, independence, self help skills, cooperation and teamwork plus providing a healthy, safe and calm environment. She has a good foundation and within weeks was writing all her letters, writing basic words, counting to 100, doing basic math, reading sight words and soaking up information like a little sponge and she is at the top of her class. far above some kids that have grown up in "preschool". I have two special needs kids here, one daycare and one of my own, and even though we added in therapy, we did not add in pressure to learn this or that. They are both doing well now that they are in specialized preK (which is an actual preK, not daycare) so again, I feel validated that I made the right choice to provide what kids really need. My 2.5 year old can not reliably name shapes or colors and cannot say her ABCs or count past 10. I am not worried about her at all. She is learning what is really important and I am sure she will be prepared well for school!

[Michelle]

AND the recent post about the child being tied to her cot was at a "preschool"

I just saw this!

I actually put my oldest son in "real" preschool (he's 20 now) and he did not learn a single thing except how to paint and sit on a little rug.
I really thought it would give him an edge.
My daughter did not go to preschool and she has a double major in chemical engineering and is pre-med.
I also heard at a baby shower that there was a study done that even kids that go to the most expensive educational preschool that does excel in academics, and then the child is put in the average public school... by 2nd grade the child will be at the same education level as most kids anyway.. I wish I would have asked the name of that study but it was a very busy party and I was helping the host.
well anyways, we all go through this and it is very frustrating and the parents learn very quickly that "real" preschool is not as great as they thought and I almost never except a child back after the parent does this.

[daycare]

I live in an area where everyone has to have STATUS and participates in keeping up with the JONES'S. Drives me nuts, but many of my clients pull their kids for PRIVATE ACADEMY preschool.

Some come back because the kids can't handle how highly academic it is. Then I have parents tell me, oh the new academy teacher wanted to know what school they transferred from, they were impressed with how much they know and how well they speak. That next school year they are asking to enroll with me again. They realize how much their kid was learning here for 1/16th of the price. I do get to feel some happiness when I tell them NO when I can.................


UGH I feel for you..............I have had to just learn to expect it from certain clients..

[Familycare71]

Ugh!! I agree- the pre-school craze is rediculous!
When my oldest went to kindergarten his teacher asked where he went to pre school. I explained what I do and that he stayed with me... She says: oh- so no pre-school and gave me a look!
My middle son did go to a formal pre-school three days a week when he was 4 just because I was worried about him jumping right into full day kind. They didnt teach him anything! He would have learned more "academics" with me!

I am not sure when it began that learning could only happen when a child is required to sit in a seat and do work sheets! It is very frustrating!! :confused:
I also focus on life skills here with academics sprinkled in

[Play Care]

This is one of the reasons transporting to "real" preschool is one of my program highlights. It's a PITB, but I keep kids until K that way.

[daycarediva]

Couldn't agree with you more!!! I have a BS in early childhood, years and years teaching preschool thru kindergarten, and likely provide more of a structured and academic curriculum than most preschools around. I have worked in public and private preschools, and have seen first hand how little academic learning is actually taking place. However, I just lost a dcg to a preschool because mom said she was feeling pressure when people asked her what preschool her child attended

I am working towards my BS, so I could have typed this! The "teachers" in prek are just a breathing body, no formal training required, just a high school diploma.

very frustrating especially for those that have a lot of education and are providing a lot of academics in their program anyway. I don't do worksheets and structured curriculum. People tried to make me feel bad about my oldest not knowing x y and z before starting kindergarten but guess what, she is doing GREAT. We worked on emotional maturity, independence, self help skills, cooperation and teamwork plus providing a healthy, safe and calm environment. She has a good foundation and within weeks was writing all her letters, writing basic words, counting to 100, doing basic math, reading sight words and soaking up information like a little sponge and she is at the top of her class. far above some kids that have grown up in "preschool". I have two special needs kids here, one daycare and one of my own, and even though we added in therapy, we did not add in pressure to learn this or that. They are both doing well now that they are in specialized preK (which is an actual preK, not daycare) so again, I feel validated that I made the right choice to provide what kids really need. My 2.5 year old can not reliably name shapes or colors and cannot say her ABCs or count past 10. I am not worried about her at all. She is learning what is really important and I am sure she will be prepared well for school!

I couldn't agree more!! My 3 older kids were all in daycare (special needs ds went to special needs prek) and all were well prepared for k. I think the common core is scaring parents into this mindset, imo.

This is one of the reasons transporting to "real" preschool is one of my program highlights. It's a PITB, but I keep kids until K that way.

I have a 'real' prek around the corner from me. 5 yo Ds attended there 2 days/week to get him used to separating from me and the teacher being someone other than Mom. They taught colors and shapes in the 4's room with dittos. Im sure my clients would beg to come back if they started there. (It's almost double my rates as well and has numerous serious open violations like safety issues and ratio.)

[daycarediva]

Wanted to add: I didn't send my son there knowing about the violations! They just had an inspection and I have a child enrolled who has family that works there and his Mom told me.

I think this morning I will just remind this Mom of my notice policy and leave it at that. Obviously, start advertising again. FT client, too and although the kid is a challenge I really like him and will miss him. ugh.