Importance of Preschool

 

In September my daughter will start a preschool program.  She will be going to a private preschool two half days each week.  I am excited for her.  Preschool is so important.  It is a great opportunity for children to work on social skills and begin taking on vocabulary and math concepts in a fun, nurturing setting. 

I've expressed how demanding the kindergarten curriculum is.  This has led me to make a different decision for the preschool my daughter will attend.  Although both preschools are play based, I feel the preschool my daughter will be attending is placing greater emphasis on numbers, letters and prereading. 

This week there was an interesting article in Parents Magazine.  The Secretary of Education had a round table meeting a few days ago to discuss the importance of expanding the public preschool availability in America.  He is proposing a significant monetary plan over the next decade and the funds to support would come from an additional tax on tobacco sales.  First, the public preschool program would be accessible for lower income children and then expanded to middle income.

 

How do you feel about preschool?  Do you think it is okay for a child to start as young as two years old?  What are important factors you look for in deciding on a preschool?  Do you believe the plan to expand public preschool for children in our country will come to fruition?