As a previous pre-school teacher myself, hopefully I can answer some of the questions i saw as I was trying to catch up.
-Day cares usually start children at 6 weeks and go through 12 yrs, with the school age classrooms being a before/after school program and a summer camp. These programs are year round and children can start any time of the year.
-Pre-school classes usually start around age 3 and children generally need to be potty trained. I have yet to see a preschool from 3-5 where children aren't. Preschool generally starts in August/September. Not saying children can't start throughout the year, but there needs to be an opening available. Usually children get enrolled the spring for the fall start time.
-A private school has the ability to accept who they want and if it goes along with a normal school schedule, they wouldn't be able to start until the fall as well, unless circumstances present themselves to have them start sooner. (Moving to the area, things like that.)
This comment that
@Quasimodo posted really ticked me off:
Why would she not advocate for preschool if she's a teacher herself? Yes, the parents are always the child's first teacher, and I understand that. Children NEED time away from parents to explore and become an individual. They need that time to learn and they get experiences that parents can't always provide. They learn how to interact with other children. The social skills alone are enough for any child to be placed in a preschool. No benefit for preschool?? If she truly feels that way, she needs to step out of her position and find a new career. This lady really grinds my gears.
