Friday, September 5, 2008

Preschool Perils

Well, when we left for Arizona I was convinced that after we returned E would be starting preschool. We'd have to make last minute trips to the mall for new gym shoes or a backpack, and stock the cupboard with snacks.

It didn't work out that way.

I had given the $50 deposit to hold her spot, but something just wasn't sitting well with me. I had an overwhelming anxious feeling about moving her into the direction of public schooling (I'm talking immediate panic upon waking up every morning and the sensation not going away all day). D and I still are very much convinced that we'd like to home school E, and I've really been on the fence about what enrolling her into preschool would do for us. We are really fortunate to be part of a pretty strong pro-homeschooling community in our small city, but we also live across the street from a pretty great K-8 co-op school where we'll absolutely be a part of the classroom if that's what pans out. Either way there's no way around her need for learning how to work with other children her age, respecting other adults as authority figures in her life etc. etc.

So, why not preschool? Well, I just chose poorly. This particular one meets in a church 3 blocks from our house. It seemed like a good possibility, but after attending the open house this last Wednesday we both left a little concerned that it was more like a Sunday school 3 days a week than a kindergarten prep. So we pulled her. No bad feelings, it just wasn't the right fit for our family. I am finally relieved. We may revisit the possibility of getting her in somewhere after Christmas Break, but for now we're plenty busy with soccer, swimming lessons and gymnastics not to mention our time with Mabel, and the other multiple play dates on the calendar! Whew!

7 comments:

  1. I totally understand. Now that I've been through my second go-around with April, I struggled with finding the right pre-school too. I'm not sure about where you were going to send her, but if a preschool is part of an elementary school, then chances are they are more than just "glorified sunday school", and a little more academic. But the the pre-k training starts more when she turns 4-5 in preschool.
    Aunt Sharon

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  2. wow ann...i hear ya! stella and i embarked on our first week of homeschool this week...and well, it was rough at first (is she missing out by not riding the bus and eating in the cafeteria?) but no...today left us feeling good. we have our social life (as do you!) with ballet, soccer and violin...and the rest? we can handle it. i was just going to post about our homeschooling...but to get you started: check out amblesideonline.com i'm loving it.xoxox

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  3. oops...it's www.amblesideonline.org not com.

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  4. good choice. i have a friend who is beginning homeschooling her preschooler as well, and i think it's SO important to go with your gut on this particular issue. and there are so many resources now that make homeschooling new and innovative, not old-fashioned and confined. i was recently at children's bookshop & teaching supplies in lynnwood, and they have a wealth of guide books for preschool up through grade 12. and just being there actually made me wonder about the possibility of homeschooling azalea (which i had never considered before). if it came down to it and school was just not her thing--if she wasn't thriving (for lack of a better term), i would be able to do it without feeling like she was missing out on information. hope all goes as best as it can with you in this!

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  5. Melis! I'm so into that site, thanks so much for posting.

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  6. ella is very lucky to have parents like you! xo

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  7. We just started homeschooling this year. We had Ethan (8) in public school for K, 1st & 2nd. Hayden (6)just for K.
    Feel free to ask any ?'s why!! ; )

    Now I'll have to go check out that site others are mentioning above...

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