| Years ago, a child's first experience with a school | | | | regular day care situation is the fact that there is |
| setting was often the first day of kindergarten. | | | | always staff present in the case of illness. Many |
| Due to the phenomenon of two-income families, | | | | parents have had to miss work due to the fact |
| preschools have become a day care option for | | | | that their day care provider became sick and |
| modern parents who have children that are three | | | | they were left with no one to care for their child. |
| years of age. If you are thinking about sending | | | | Even if your child's teacher has called in sick at a |
| your child to a preschool, there are some things | | | | preschool, there is other staff available to fill in the |
| that you may want to keep in mind. | | | | void. |
| Unlike private babysitters or relatives who care | | | | One of the disadvantages of a preschool program |
| for your child, preschool is a structured | | | | is the cost. These schools are more expensive |
| environment. There are rules and a daily schedule | | | | than traditional day care providers and may not |
| that the teachers follow that are designed to give | | | | be within your budget. They also have set hours |
| little ones some structure to their day. Having a | | | | of operation, which is not very helpful if your job |
| daily routine has proven to be essential in helping a | | | | requires you to work afternoons or nights. Many |
| child to feel secure and well adjusted. | | | | of these preschools are also closed on weekends |
| Preschool is also a place where your child can | | | | and holidays that regular schools close for, many |
| spend time with their peers, which is important in | | | | of which are not considered holidays at most |
| the development of their social skills. This time can | | | | places of work. So you will need to have |
| also teach them how to build friendships, which is | | | | alternative day care provider at these particular |
| especially important if your youngster is an only | | | | times. |
| child or if you are a stay-at-home mother. | | | | Another problem may arise if your child becomes |
| Preschools also design activities to teach your child | | | | sick. If your youngster has a slight fever, most |
| the basic skills that they will need to know when | | | | private providers will still care for them. Most |
| entering regular school. The children are usually | | | | preschools ask that you not send the child if this |
| taught their ABC's and have the ability to | | | | situation occurs. So you will also need to have an |
| distinguish their colors by the time they start | | | | alternative day care provider if your child |
| kindergarten. | | | | becomes ill. |
| Unlike regular babysitters, preschools also have to | | | | While preschools are considered to be helpful in |
| follow state guidelines as to the number of | | | | preparing your child for the school environment, |
| teachers that they are required to have for the | | | | the additional cost and operating hours may be an |
| number of students that are present. Due to | | | | obstacle for some parents. If at all possible, |
| these statutes, you are assured that your child is | | | | sending your child to this type of program is a |
| receiving appropriate supervision while he is at the | | | | good idea. If it is not a viable option for you, |
| preschool. | | | | many children do fine in the kindergarten without |
| Another advantage that preschools have over a | | | | the preschool experience. |