Little Sister started preschool last week, at the place where Big Brother went (and still goes in the summer and no-school days). At age 2, it’s really day care with a bit of a preschool element in the morning, but it’s wonderful. She has adjusted to it incredibly well – BB happened to be there with her the first two days since he was on winter break still, but I honestly think she would have been just fine without him. When Tim drops her off in the morning, she’s so busy playing already that she barely even bothers to tell him goodbye. And when BB and I pick her up in the afternoon, she barely even acknowledges us (even though she knows full well that we’re there).
And it really does seem like she’s thriving there. She has really had a verbal jump in the past week. I’m sure it’s simply a coincidence (and Tim is getting tired of hearing about it) but she is talking more and more since she started preschool, and is using more sentences than ever. I think it’s at least partly because she’s in with the bigger kids. (She’s the youngest by several months.)
I am so happy to have her at preschool now. The day care she was at was … OK. Adequate. I always felt like we were just biding out time there, since our plan was always to start her at this preschool as soon as she was old enough. She did love her lead teacher there, but she’s already wild about the two teachers at preschool, and they are clearly smitten with her.
Oh yes, there are only two teachers there. Because there are only about 15 kids total, and probably not more than 13 there at any one time. It gives my kids the benefits of a center but also the benefits of a smaller group. Plus the two teachers have been there for probably 20 years each! There has not been one new teacher since BB started there three years ago. That is unheard of in the child care field. We love the stability. (Oh, AND it’s about $100 less per month than the other place, and is a little closer. And in the summer, the kids will both be at the same place - NICE for dropoff and pickup!)
OK, now I AM rambling. You can see why Tim gets tired of hearing about it.
Does anyone else have a child care situation that you are just wild about? Or on the other hand, one that is only OK or even bad?
I’m glad LS is doing so well. That’s really important for them to LOVE being there. We really love our daycare. All the teachers seem to really care about my son and all want to hug and kiss him when he comes and goes. Although I did have a couple of problems with the new administrator….we are pretty much satisfied with this daycare and may even use them once Little Boy starts school since they have an after school program too (although that’s several years away)
I can think of fewer things more important, or worth going on and on about! Good for LS. I’ve heard that kids tend to understand many more words than they say, and often they don’t say them because … well … they simply don’t need to. I bet that moving among so many older kids has encouraged LS to really step it up. You must be so proud. Two such verbal wee ones!
**Side note to the Gal Herself. It’s inevitable, Bookmama’s kids were born verbal. It’s genetic.**