[epl0822]

Being a parenting forum I'm sure this topic has been raised before so forgive me if this is redundant.

DS was offered a spot at a preschool. I was very surprised as I live in an area where it's notoriously difficult to get childcare and he's "only" been on the waitlist for six months. I originally thought to enrol him because he's an only child and I don't want him to get bored. We've moved to a new area and I don't know a lot of mums here. So far I've been taking him out almost every day, fortunately there are a lot of community based toddler activities around here (story time, music groups, playgroups etc) and he seems pretty good with it.

After being offered a place much earlier than expected (I didn't think he'd get in until 2014 term 1 at the earliest) I am starting to doubt whether I should send him now. It is going to cost $100/week. While we can afford that without starving, it's still a significant amount of money to us, a single income family. I have no doubt DS would love making friends and attending a preschool but I wonder, can I offer him stimulation and social connections without preschool? Or is there something special about preschools that will benefit him a lot more than going to playgroups and library story times?

[Domestic Goddess]

Have you checked if you're eligible for childcare rebate?

[EBeditor]

I think it helps in the transition to school, in learning to be away from you and relate to other adults. There are also some great early learning opportunities in a good preschool program. It's not mandatory, but I think quite useful in the year before school at least.

[~sydblue~]

I think it depends on the child and how socialised they are otherwise.
DD8yrs was pretty well socialised before going to school and didn't start until she was 5.5yrs. She couldn't read very well when she started, but in kindergarten won an award for numeracy, then last year in year 2 she won an award for literacy and for numeracy. So school was the ideal situation for her, and I don't think preschool would have made a difference.

[CallMeProtart]

Am I correct in deducing that this is for 2 years before school rather than the year before?
I'd hold out till 2014 tbh, if that's his year before school. I don't think he needs to transition in for 2 years.

[I*Love*Christmas]

My son has just started today and it will be costing us about $80 a week. This is his year before school. I enrolled him as I thought he would benefit from being with other kids and in a school type environment. Although I could do more socialising at home and more activities I just wouldn't be able to match what they can offer him there.

I would only send him the year before school though.

[Peppery]

DD starts school next year. She attended preschool one day per week last year and will attend 3 days this year.

Back when i was her age, i attended preschool in the same manner as well. DD absolutely loves preschool and the social interaction she has.

I pay $65 per day before rebates