I was surprised to hear someone on the radio refer to preschool as "glorified daycare". My son started when he was 3. Still goes, about 12 hours per week. My 3.5 year old daughter will start in Sept. Their teachers are not "teachers" as the radio host said. They are teachers! They all have early childhood education degrees and all teaching assistants have a minimum of an Associates in early childhood education. The teacher to child ratio is very low, aboout 1:4.
My son has learned so much, it's hard to know where to start.Everything from reading and writing to nutrition, health and hygiene, arts and crafts and music and dancing. He has made friends, gets invited to playdates and birthday parties and is reading and writing very well, for a kid more than a year away from kindergarten. Not because he has to, or is made to, but because he loves it and loves the classroom experience.
But all that aside, he looks forward to preschool and his little sister is dying to go! They also have mandatory outdoor play and exercise and healthy snacks. How on earth could this be glorified daycare? And for just a few afternoons per week?
Does anyone feel this way too, or are there any teachers out there who could give their input? I'd be interested in hearing what anyone has to say.