By mommyto2

August 2, 2006 11:07 AM | Link to this

they now also have a state funded pre-k 3. we chose to keep put our daughter in a private pre-k 3 for a few reasons. one, i am way over protective and the idea of her in a big elemenatry school with all those older kids. second, i really like the small class size, and i want her to get a christian education. i know several people in our area, in fact all of our friends who have 4 year olds use the lottery program. they really like it.

By Cammi

August 2, 2006 12:58 PM | Link to this

I entered the lottery when my daughter was ready to enter Pre-K and she attended the program at our local elementary school. It was quite an interesting experience. She had already completed a “4 year old” program at a private daycare, so she was ahead of quite a few of the children. School started in August and many of the children were just turning or about to turn 4, whereas my daughter would be 5 in December. A good bit of the children could not even spell or write their own names! Unfortunately, the program is just that….a program. There is no mechanism worked in to separate the children by skill level so my daughter was forced to almost “re-live” the exact same program she had experienced the prior school year. But in all in all it was okay.

By nicky

August 2, 2006 02:33 PM | Link to this

My concerns are exactly what Cammi spoke about - that my daughter will be way ahead of the kids in the lottery-funded pre-k class and will ber stuck in a year of unchallenging lessons. Without breaking the kids into different levels of achievement and knowledge, you subject all children to the learning speed of the slowest child in the class.

I will be putting my daughter into a private pre-k montessori class, and let the masses use the lotto funding.

By K Mom

August 2, 2006 03:06 PM | Link to this

My son will be entering first grade in the fall and was in a state lottery funded Pre K program at a private day care center two years ago. I loved the program and as a result of that program, I believe my son was very ready for and excelled in Kindergarten this past year. I will definitely put my other two sons in it.

By catlady

August 2, 2006 03:07 PM | Link to this

This is well-discussed on the blog Get Schooled from a day or two ago.

I have not been impressed with the pre-K program, as it is currently configured, for upper middle class or children of well-educated parents. That is only my personal take on it. It would not have been useful for any of my own children. So saying, I am sure it is a Godsend for many families, and many children profit from attending. Here in my area of the state (the mtns.) it is the only preschool 95% of the children experience, and for that it is beneficial.

By letthembekids

August 2, 2006 03:17 PM | Link to this

My older kids did not do state pre-K and my youngest won’t either precisely because I DO NOT want them wasting precious early childhood time on numbers and letters.

My older kids spent their early childhoods in preschool programs that did not do book learning at all. They were a little “behind” the other K kids at the very beginning of the year, but both exceeded most of the class by winter break. They are both now in our school’s gifted program based largely on their creativity and spatial skills so I guess it did them some good.

It only takes a kid around age 5-6 two weeks to learn their letters and to learn to write their names and another 2 weeks to learn to count to 100 and to learn the basics of math. Major growth of creativity and critical thinking skills occurs in early childhood through play, not through drilling.

Why is everyone so bound and determined to have their three year olds counting and writing? They need to spend their time creating and playing at that age. I think it’s more about the parents’ egos than it is about the kids’ welfare.

I am thinking that my youngest will not attend public K either. He will go to half day church K so that he can have another year of childhood. I know where he needs to be for first grade so I can supplement if necessary. Since NCLB - kindergarten has become much more of a sweatshop - no nap, no snack, few if any recesses. I don’t want any part of it.

By penguinmom

August 2, 2006 03:32 PM | Link to this

I didn’t send my son to the free pre-K because we were already thinking of homeschooling. He was already reading and adding so I think he would have been bored. My neighbor sent her daughter to it because her child missed the Sept 1st deadline by a couple of days. She was so mad one day when the teacher came out and said ‘today we counted to 10!’ My neighbor said to me, “she’s known how to count to 10 for a long time now”. She felt that she had to supplement at home just to keep her daughter from being bored.

That said, if the child is in a home where they are not getting any books read to them, where life long learning isn’t a priority, and where they are not getting any kind of imaginitive playtime then a free pre-K program is probably a good thing. I think it should include a lot of play time though because kids today are growing up too fast, with too many structured activities. They are losing out on the learning that goes with the fun of childhood playtime discoveries.

By will

August 2, 2006 03:46 PM | Link to this

awesome post, lethembekids!!!! The 2,3 year olds in pre-school IS more about adult competetivness than it is child development.KIDS NEED TO BE KIDS They are not for our adornment. Noone is impressed by a 3 year old with perfect diction, in fact it’s anoying. I’m impressed by a 3 year old that can climb a tree or put a worm on a hook.

By K Mom

August 2, 2006 04:50 PM | Link to this

I am not sure which Pre K you have heard of or been involved with but while my son learned to write his name and count to 100, etc. - there was plenty of time to play and have fun. He came home each day dirty and exhausted from the fun he had. He also learned to listen, explore, and use his observation skills better (he has gotten even better at finding and catching bugs). It is these kinds of things which I believe contributed to his positive Kindergarten experience - he was prepared for a learning environment. I understand what you are saying about not wanting your children to be all about letters and numbers at age 4. FWIW, I found that aspect to be much smaller than what is reflected in some of the comments here.

By K Mom

August 2, 2006 05:01 PM | Link to this

Sorry….one last thing. The other thing state-funded Pre K did (and Kindergarten this year) is build on my son’s love of learning. His teachers made him want to learn more and know more - whether it is how to brush his teeth, how a caterpillar becomes a butterfly, or that 10 pencils is the same amount as 10 elephants. I consider myself and my son very lucky in that respect.

By mom3boys

August 2, 2006 06:05 PM | Link to this

I didn’t participate in these programs as I thought (and still believe)this is too long of a day for a 4 year old. My kids went to preschool 3 mornings a week at age 4 (boy #4 went 4 mornings). They learned colors, letters, numbers, and the best geography program. My son learned important skills: how to carry a cafeteria tray and how to open his own milk!! Most of all, it was fun! They learned to share, get along w/ other kids, and follow directions from someone besides mom. I was not working full time, so I could do 1/2 day preschool. It was a wonderful, happy place…thank you Mrs. Archer!! BTW…Theresa, here’s an idea for a blog: did you give your child with a summer birthday an extra year of preschool so he/she wouldn’t be the youngest in the class? And, if you didn’t,and you sent him, are you regretting it now?

By mom3boys

August 2, 2006 06:07 PM | Link to this

oops typo above…boy #3 went 4 days. Also, my kids were not behind at all from not attending the state program…they were all great readers by Christmas their kindergarten year.

By khrys

August 2, 2006 06:11 PM | Link to this

I used our state funded pre-k although at that time it really wasn’t state funded- just offered- meaning it cost 260.00 a month- and there was a huge lottery.
in addition, our all day kinder was also not state funded and we again paid 260.00 a month for it. I did like the state pre-k - we used it for social reasons- to make new friends, learn to play in a group and get along, be quiet, raise your hand, ect. there weren’t alot of kids on our block, so it was good for that aspect. it was at our local elementary school so I had a chance to get to know the faculty htere and get the inside scopp on the kinder. teachers for the next year.

Some people will be getting vouchers for free pre-k this yar. Those that qualify for free lunch, and developmental delays. They still have to get on line early for registration like everyone else ( about 6 hours early)

By over40mom

August 2, 2006 06:21 PM | Link to this

I didn’t use government funded pre-k. I guess I didn’t think it was available to me. But my child attended a nice private little academy - that I wish she would be attending this fall but I can’t afford it. On her testing she scored no less than K.9. So my fear is she will be bored in Kindergarten.

By mom3boys

August 2, 2006 06:38 PM | Link to this

Over40mom: Do not worry about boredom..the good kindergarten teachers are prepared for children across the learning spectrum. In my sons class the teacher was fabulous at this. Some kids wrote letters, some wrote words, and others wrote sentences. Some kids read books w/ one or two words on a page, and others read chapter books. Check w/ the administration to be sure you child gets a teacher that knows her stuff and can handle an accelerated kindergartener.

By Theresa

August 2, 2006 06:45 PM | Link to this

Mom3boys — You are reading my mind — that was going up in the next few days — totally something I am seeing a lot of moms struggling with — a few months really does make a huge difference — even with the kindergartners —- I will post that question in the next day or so — great one- thanks for the suggestion!

By over40mom

August 2, 2006 07:39 PM | Link to this

I’m encouraged by mom3boys. But I’m still scared and realize this transition is more my problem. I know she is resilient but I still worry - a lot. K.9 was her lowest score in listening. 2.5 was her highest in sounds and letters and her math was a sound 2. So yes - I am bragging bragging bragging. She’s not the smartest one in the bunch - but she’s a hard worker. And now she has set a bar. As bad as it sound - by the end of her Kinder year I want all her scores to be at 2.5 or better.

And it wasn’t all academics, she had dance, music (piano,theory, and singing), spanish and a field trip per month. Crafts and life experiences were part of the daily schedule. I’ll continue these privately. And the kids performed regularly for parents laden with digital video cameras. I opted out of computer lab as that is my field and she plays on her computer while I work.

Her school made me a better parent. They really taught me how to use her life skills to inspire academic growth. And more importantly they taught me how to objectively look at my child to celebrate her accomplishments, to positively work with her challenges, and how to sometimes chill.

I’m anxious to see what the upcoming year has in store for her in public school. As long as she continues to excel I’m fine. I will be proud of her regardless. And I’ve already reached out to her teachers for the upcoming year. I pray that I can keep my anxieties under control for her best interest.

By mom3boys

August 2, 2006 08:09 PM | Link to this

Over40: You are able to give your daughter many life experiences, which enhance her total life. She will always be the brightest in your eyes, as she should be. Sometimes your kid is the smartest in the bunch, and sometimes not. If you are in a good school you have nothing to worry about. She may be precocious in many areas. However, but 3rd or 4th grade it all evens out. My oldest had a huge vocabulary by 18 months, sorted blocks by shape, color, and size, pointed to letters and said their names. I assumed he was a genius. Turns out his gift was he didn’t have to try as hard as alot of kids did, but he was not a top achiever by any stretch. They all even out eventually!! You and your daughter will be fine!

By missie hawkins

August 3, 2006 06:23 AM | Link to this

I have two children who attended Ga. Pre-K classes at The Sunshine House in Loganville and we had a WONDERFUL experience! It really preparred them for “big school”. My daughter is 5 and VERY shy, but her experience with the pre-k program brought her out and she made friends and learned so much that I would recommend it for everyone. I work from home so she was home with me and it made the transition easier.

By bc

August 3, 2006 08:09 AM | Link to this

mom3boys, my son also attended preschool @ L’ville 1st Baptist. He started in the young 2’s class, not because I wanted him to go, but because his cousin was attending class there and he wanted to go too! We were there for 4 years! I can not say enough about the wonderful teachers and Ms. Archer. I am always spreading the word about there great program! I know that his attending preschool with the awesome staff @ L’ville 1st Baptist was the best move we could have made. He actually started Kindergarten on Monday and is absolutely loving it, so far!

By mommyto2

August 3, 2006 09:52 AM | Link to this

wow! i really didn’t know that their curiculum was so weak. i am feeling better about me choice in private school now. my daughter was counting to ten at two thank to her daycare three days a week.

also, after reading this i talked to my sons daycare owner, who is also a cousin. she told me that in the state funded pre- k they are very limited in what they are allowed to teach and that most of her kids going in are already ahead and some even fall back because of the lessons.

i really think the school boards need to take a closer look at what these kids already know and fit their lessons around that. they should really give these kis a little more credit!

By SJ

August 3, 2006 11:45 AM | Link to this

My children attended a new daycare for and the facility was fabulous, until the day their lottery funding came through. Once they received state funding, the place went into the toilet. Academics is NOT the priority of the state funded pre-k program. I had my child in it for about maybe 2 months and pulled him out. At the time, I was told “we aren’t even allowed to teach them the alphabet.” Some of these places are great, I’m sure, but - and I know this will probably generate some angry responses - but state funded lottery is geared towards lower income families. And, unfortunately, as is most often the case, you get what you pay for….However, the Kindergarten teachers I’ve spoken with can immediately tell the difference between children that have been in a structured daycare or pre-k setting vs those that have not had the exposure. The difference is not academics, its behavior. Children that have been in the structured settings before K/1st grade have a better understand on social interaction in a classroom, they’ve already been exposed to taking turns, sitting in a circle for story time, keeping your hands to yourself, etc.

By Jesse's Girl

August 3, 2006 12:12 PM | Link to this

Well….our county diddled away their allocations for a pre-k program. They just up and cancelled the program due to insufficient funds…even though the state was providing them. Apparently, they can still receive said monies and use them elsewhere. Private education continues to be the best choice for us. Our daughters went to a private pre-k and The Boy is doing the private 3 year old pre-k at our church this year. Some of the parents I have spoken with about this have given social issues as reasons why they do not use the programs. To this I say….Whatever bakes your cake sweetie.

By Jesse's Girl

August 3, 2006 12:44 PM | Link to this

After re-reading my post….I may need to clarify. Our county no onger provides pre-k in the public schools. We do obviously have it in other locales.

By lynn

August 3, 2006 02:18 PM | Link to this

SJ, same thing happened to me. I was paying daycare (120 wk) for my youngest when the state program came in & turned the place into a run down madhouse. I gladly would have went back to the full rate had the daycare maintained the standards they had before pre-K. I believe a lot of parents used (and still do) it more for a daycare than for the schooling. I feel the money spent on pre-k should be shifted to help out our high schoolers with their over priced calculators etc., since they are about to be our next working generation.

By katollie

August 3, 2006 02:41 PM | Link to this

I had two children that could have used the lottery program. I really feel age 4 is too young to be in school for a full day. I started my children in a church pre-school program from age 1. The focus was on organized play. They started out at 2 days a week and at age four were in four days a week. Friday was our play day together. The program was from 9am to 1pm. They learned how a class room would function and how to get along with other children. But at this young age only 6 were in a class. It gets them ready for school but does not over whelm them with actually school work. They learned the ABC’s and how to count. But what I wanted was a program with lots of reading books then having the entire day focused on one theme. They did cooking day, mexican day, Chinese New Year and did fun activities based on the theme. Very little time was sitting doing seat work or writing. They got down and dirty learning how to cook, how to make playdoh, and were very active outside the class room. Too many people just use the lottery program as free babysitting and are not worried about what is best for a 4 year old. They will be in school for 12 years why push them too early.

By fk

August 3, 2006 03:28 PM | Link to this

I did not send my son to the all-day Pre-K program, but he did attend a private 1/2 day preschool, four days per week. Like katollie, I felt that he was looking at 12+ more years of schooling. In kindergarten, he was placed with kids who not only attended all-day Pre-K at both private and public schools, but some were more than six months older than my son. It made absolutely no difference. I think maturity and social skills are bigger issues than academics in kindergarten.

By By me

August 3, 2006 03:34 PM | Link to this

It is so scary how some parents perceive “good” education: “my son counted to 10 by the age of 2 and my daughter could write by the age of 4”. What is this? No more than parent’s competition. Even if you teach a 2 year old to repeat numbers from 1 to 10, the two year old can not process ANY concept of counting (believe me, because i have a degree in pre-K and elementary education). Give your child a childhood. Let them play and socialize. This is all they need. You overburden your children by taking them to too many activities and stuffing their “small” heads with counting and writing as soon as possible. I myself was raised in Europe and learned letters and how to count in the 1st grade by the age of 6. I did attend kindergarten (8 hours a day from age 2), but all we did was listen to stories, did crafts and played. Needless to say, i was an A+ student. I currently hold 2 college degrees and i am doing my Masters in Columbia. For parents who prefer private schools: my step daughter attended the BEST private school in CT ($18,000 a year) plus $40,000 a year college. She is working her second year at Macy’s for $7 an hour. You think by providing the best, your kids will be the best. It is so not true. Kids will become who they choose to become. I am for public schools, especially high school. There are less drugs in public schools than private as well (this is proven by my kids). There is so much wealth in private schools that kids see nothing but materialistic competition (luxury cars, private houses, credit cards and plastic surgeries by the age of 16). We raised our daughter very “down to earth” and she did not have any luxuries. Needles to say, when she was 19, she told that the years in a private school was the unhappiest years in her life. She could not blend with the Mercedes driving, drug using and money spending friends because we did not provide/approve that kind of lifestyle. Go figure. P.S. You would not believe how many of her classmates are in rehab centers by age of 22. They are children from very wealthy and respective families with a tremendous pressure to be perfect and very successful.

By Jesse's Girl

August 3, 2006 04:23 PM | Link to this

@ By Me…..we are providing our children with a private education because it is in fact far superior to what they received in their previous public school. Our girls are in 2nd and 4th. In their old public school, they had no foreign language and music and art came once a week….for art, once every 2 weeks at times. They were allowed to do computer lessons only twice a week. This kind of curriculum was fine 20 years ago. But my children deserve more. At their new private school, they were given the choice between 4 languages….knowing they would be taking 2 of them. They have art everyday, music everyday….and they are actually learning to READ music. Things are not “dumbed” down. They are perceived as more than capable and the learning curve is drastically different. As far as drugs being more of an issue…..it boils down to involved parents. Simply put….we will know at all times where, what and when. And for the times when that fails us, you’d better believe we will know people who will know people who will know people. It isn’t a social status issue for us and never will be. We are able to provide our children with better….and thats all there is to it. Besides, the uniforms are cute al hell!

By By me

August 3, 2006 04:48 PM | Link to this

Jesse’s Girl: wait until your kids are 14-18, then you can tell how much you will know about them. Even the most involved parents DO NOT know everything about their kids (remember when you were a teenager). Nowdays with personal cars and cell phones… you will be lucky if you will know 50% of the truth… It is a big difference what parents BELIEVE they know about their children and what they actually know.

My point about private school was that we did provide out daughter with the best, but as she said, these were the most misarable years of her life. Our 2 boys go to a public school and they are very happy. They did attend the private elementary and middle school, but when transfered to a public school they said that they like it much better and would not want to go back to a private school.

By By me

August 3, 2006 04:55 PM | Link to this

And as for a social status issue: private school was never of a social status issue for us either: we wanted the best for our child. We are very down to earth and live a simple life.

Unfortunately, this is not what all parents think. For most of parents in a private school it is so much about a social status. This is why every other kid drove Mercedes or BMW convertible at age of 16 and girls got a nose job as a gift for 16th birthday. Again, not every private school cost $18,000 a year and i am sure there are private schools where social status is less of an issue.

By Jesse's Girl

August 3, 2006 05:08 PM | Link to this

We will simply have to agree to disagree on the “being in the know” point. I absolutely will be as sneaky and as nosey as possible where my kids are concerned. I am fully prepared to be hated and despised in their cirlce of friends…and by our children too if need be. In a sick way…I am looking forward to it. “Involved” is what grand parents might be. Mr Jesse and I are more along the lines of wiretapping, GPS locators, and truth serum:)

By mom3boys

August 4, 2006 06:36 AM | Link to this

to By Me and Jesse’s Girl re: being in the know: One of the biggest things to come back and bite one in the tookis is saying: “My kid will never __.” Because they will. Not all of your kids, and not everything, but they will. I am an excellent spy…I can get into email, livejournal, myspace and the blogspot. However, many of these have layers that you can’t get into because they are password protected. YOu can’t stop them from having them…they set them up at someone else’s house. I’d like to be a fly on the wall when you are trying to tell your 17 year old what he can and cannot do. We do have power with cars and money, but if they want to do something, they’ll do it. You will be eating your words, Jesse’s girl, just as I ate mine, and all moms before me at theirs. It is the nature of the beast to sneak around and try to get away with things. They are very good at it. You cannot micromanage their life, no matter how hard you try or how good your intentions are. You cannot condone poor choices; however, just know poor choices will be made…some you’ll find out about, others not. Good luck and hang on to your hat, it’s going to be a bumpy ride!

By mommyto2

August 4, 2006 09:19 AM | Link to this

really? my daughter has no consept of counting. so then why when she was two, did she count crayons on her own while coloring, she counted her fruit loops at breakfast and would tell us mommy we have four you, daddy, me and Bama.1,2,3 and 4! sorry but your degree does not make you an expert and not every child is the same. i thought they would have taught you that in school. now my son who is almost 2 now still doesn’t speak well, say his abc’s and certainly would not have any concempt of numbers or counting. but thats ok. he has better social skills than my daughter and is more musically and art inclined. each child is different!

By mommyto2

August 4, 2006 09:35 AM | Link to this

jesse’s girl you are awesome! i too am actually looking forward to being that mom! in fact i kinda already am. most of my friends don’t discipline their kids but we have a rule if you are at my house, you follow my rules. i am already “the mean one” but the funny thing is my friends kids behave better for me than they do for their parents and really must like being at our house because they ask to come all the time. once a child knows the boundaries and the results of crossing those boundaries then everyone gets along better and has more fun. truth syrum, can we get that on ebay? we deffinatly want the gps tracking. sorry kids but that’s the way it is!

By mommyto2

August 4, 2006 10:20 AM | Link to this

oh and one more thing, i went to private school in alpharetta, i did not drive a BMW but i loved it. i enjoyed it more than Milton and got a much better education. Granted i wasn’t able to skip school weekly like i did at milton but i am better for it now. and that is why my two are going to private school! And yes my parents paid $15,000 a year for it (part of the reason i drove a japanese car instead of a german) but they totally agree it was worth it! if i was having trouble someone would notice, if i was acting up, someone would notice, if i needed someone to talk to someone would notice.

By Mom In Fulton

August 4, 2006 07:05 PM | Link to this

We did Public Funded Pre-K….but why does the food cost $20/week when I pay $30/month in public elementary school? It is absolutely rediculous what these “free” things pay for!

By Jennifer

August 8, 2006 10:44 AM | Link to this

I’m sending my 4-yo to private pre-K because her younger sister will be going to the 2-yo preschool class at the same school. My oldest attended the 3-yo class last year and I was extremely pleased with the curriculum and the social growth. It’s a 3-morning/week program which leaves me time to get in the lessons/activities that I feel are important as well.

By jess

August 14, 2006 01:41 PM | Link to this

I can not figure out why the state pre K has to be a full day program. I am sure it is wonderful for those who have had to pay for full day daycare. I feel as though it should be half day and allow parents to pick up their children or pay for daycare for the reminder of the day. 4 year olds do not need to be in a full day program.