![[dr. bob]](/dr-bob-sm.gif)
Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 14 of 14. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by All Done on February 1, 2007, at 12:24:59
My son currently attends a pre-school/daycare that's three miles from our home. He's been there since he was 12 weeks old.
In the fall, I need to enroll him in kindergarten at the school close to our house. It's half day and I won't know if he will be morning (8:40 - 11:15) or afternoon (12:55 - 3:30) until August.
For a couple of years now, the center director at his daycare has been telling me they can probably figure out how to add him to their bus schedule. "We don't want to lose him." Now, she's telling me they added a fourth bus this year that hasn't been profitable. They're probably going to get rid of it. And our school is too far for them.
There's a daycare closer to the school, but I believe they have a waiting list to get in. And I *so* don't want to change daycare centers. My son has a difficult time adjusting to anything new (and so do I, for that matter) and when I mentioned to him the possiblity of switching (I tried make it sound exciting and like a fun thing), he said he likes where he is now and burst into tears that he wouldn't be able to see his best friend anymore.
I've looked into private transportation for kids and there just seems to be none in my area. I've thought about paying a neighborhood mom, but it seems like quite an imposition to the middle of their day.
Maybe I'm silly for worrying so much about this, but my heart is already breaking at the thought of moving him. I guess I have to get over that. I know he's a kid and he'll get through it.
I'm just a wreck about this, though.
Sorry for the rant.
Laurie
Posted by Jo U.K on February 2, 2007, at 8:54:42
In reply to :-(, posted by All Done on February 1, 2007, at 12:24:59
Hi, just wanted to say that kids love familiarity and as your son is settled at his present daycare he may be reluctant to embrace a change. But, at three he may be cannot envisage being somewhere new and equally great, so you're doing the right thing making it sound positive. After all, change is something we all have to get used to at least to a certain extent, and soon he will go through the school system with many changes ahead. But with your positive influence ( even if you have to fake it!), he will learn that it's ok to be nervous, but to look forward to meeting new friends and doing new stuff. Kids are very resilient, and hopefully, you will look back on your fears as he runs happily in to his new daycare, and wonder what you were ever concerned about! Good luck to you.
Jo
Posted by Dinah on February 2, 2007, at 10:37:09
In reply to :-(, posted by All Done on February 1, 2007, at 12:24:59
Are thera any other moms in the preschool who'll be going to the same kindergarten? I assume the kindergarten doesn't have bus service?
That really stinks.
On the other hand, you could make it part of the kindergarten experience for him, without making too big a deal about the fact that it's a new preschool. Sort of like "Here's what your kindergarten day will look like.". And honestly, as little as he likes change (and yes, my son didn't either), he'll likely be more interested in going wherever his kindergarten buddies are going than he will be at seeing his old preschool once he makes some new friends.
I don't know of a single half day kindergarten around here that doesn't offer an afternoon program, because so many parents work, but perhaps the new school has ideas for working parents. I'm sure you aren't the first one.
Posted by Gee on February 2, 2007, at 21:59:24
In reply to :-(, posted by All Done on February 1, 2007, at 12:24:59
Changing daycares is never easy. Have you thought of taking your son on a "tour" of the potential new place. Maybe closer to the time if you can't get the current situation figured out. Does the Kindergarten have busing? Does your current daycare have an afterschool program for him as he gets older, like into grade 4 or so? If not, it might be worth looking into a place that is more of an afterschool program rather than a daycare. An afterschool program would likely take him up until he's 12 or so.
Posted by All Done on February 3, 2007, at 23:55:12
In reply to :-(, posted by All Done on February 1, 2007, at 12:24:59
Before I answer your posts, I wanted to let you know how terribly impatient I am...
The daycare center's director came through for me. (I didn't even give her a week before I started to panic.) She got the phone number for a transportation company for children. They're new, actually. They saw a need in the area and they started transporting kids (the drivers are all certified in CPR, background checks, etc.) on January 8th. I talked to them and they'll go to his school. It'll be $15/trip, so I'll have to make sure to get him in morning kindergarten, so I don't have to pay for two trips a day, but...WHEW!!
I'm so relieved! And I've been reminded why I love his current daycare so much. They're his/our second family.
Thanks for all of your support. I was feeling so overwhelmed, nervous, sad and so much more. It helped to hear from all of you.
Posted by All Done on February 4, 2007, at 0:00:44
In reply to Re: :-(, posted by Jo U.K on February 2, 2007, at 8:54:42
> Kids are very resilient, and hopefully, you will look back on your fears as he runs happily in to his new daycare, and wonder what you were ever concerned about! Good luck to you.
> JoHi, Jo. Thanks for your response!
I know what you're saying about resiliency and I do believe it and have seen it in action with my son. But...I also know I wasn't very resilient. I know that's where my fear is coming from. He's a different kid than I was, though. And he has different parents. :)
I'm going to keep in mind what you said for kindergarten and try my hardest to be excited with him. I'll keep my tears to a minimum until after he gets in the classroom. ;)
Thanks again!
Laurie
Posted by All Done on February 4, 2007, at 0:09:11
In reply to Re: :-( » All Done, posted by Dinah on February 2, 2007, at 10:37:09
> Are thera any other moms in the preschool who'll be going to the same kindergarten? I assume the kindergarten doesn't have bus service?
>
> That really stinks.There aren't any other kids in the preschool who will be going to his kindergarten. And the kindergarten has bus service, but only to our house. That helps with pick-up in the morning, but they would drop him off in the afternoon when I'm not home.
> On the other hand, you could make it part of the kindergarten experience for him, without making too big a deal about the fact that it's a new preschool. Sort of like "Here's what your kindergarten day will look like.". And honestly, as little as he likes change (and yes, my son didn't either), he'll likely be more interested in going wherever his kindergarten buddies are going than he will be at seeing his old preschool once he makes some new friends.Yeah, I definitely see that happening. But whatever changes we make after he makes those new buddies will be so much easier, I think. Change now = losing his friends at the daycare. Change then = going where his new friends are.
> I don't know of a single half day kindergarten around here that doesn't offer an afternoon program, because so many parents work, but perhaps the new school has ideas for working parents. I'm sure you aren't the first one.I don't believe our school has before and after school care. I haven't talked to anyone at the school at length, yet, but those I have talked to have made me think I'm the only one in the world with this problem, I swear. I know I can't be, but wow, I thought there'd be a much easier solution than this.
Posted by All Done on February 4, 2007, at 0:16:15
In reply to Re: :-(, posted by Gee on February 2, 2007, at 21:59:24
> Changing daycares is never easy. Have you thought of taking your son on a "tour" of the potential new place. Maybe closer to the time if you can't get the current situation figured out. Does the Kindergarten have busing? Does your current daycare have an afterschool program for him as he gets older, like into grade 4 or so? If not, it might be worth looking into a place that is more of an afterschool program rather than a daycare. An afterschool program would likely take him up until he's 12 or so.
His current daycare takes kids up to 12. It's just the location that isn't working. They bus to other schools, just not ours.
Like I told Dinah, I think once he gets into kindergarten and makes new friends and I get to know the moms, I won't be so worried about making a change if I have to or want to.
And all this jumping through hoops is mostly for kindergarten. When he's in first grade, I think I'll probably just have someone come to our house for an hour or so until I get home from work.
It'd be easier if we had all day kindergarten, but our schools are so overcrowded, it just doesn't happen around here.
Thanks for your thoughts, Gee.
Has anyone told you that you have a great posting name? :)
Laurie
Posted by Dinah on February 6, 2007, at 18:50:29
In reply to Re: :-( » Dinah, posted by All Done on February 4, 2007, at 0:09:11
I can't believe there's something we're progressive about in education. :(
You need to impress upon your next school board candidates that working moms are not the exception any longer.
I hate to say this, but...
There's a big change in kids from preschool to Kindergarten. Or at least there was for my son. So he might be more resilient than you fear. That's good of course, but it's sad to lose your baby. But very nice to find yourself with a charming young boy instead.
Posted by annierose on February 10, 2007, at 18:05:24
In reply to Re: :-( » All Done, posted by Dinah on February 6, 2007, at 18:50:29
I agree with Dinah. All of the schools around here offer "for fee" kinderPLUS programs. What that means, for a minimal fee, your child stays at school for the entire school day and for the opposite half day (either morning or afternoon) they are in school but in a day care type setting.
Our school kinderplus program actually works closely with the real kindergarten program expanding the curriculm that is already in place. Plus, you could pick how many days you needed. It was loved by both working and non-working parents.
Posted by All Done on February 12, 2007, at 1:25:15
In reply to Re: :-( » All Done, posted by Dinah on February 6, 2007, at 18:50:29
> You need to impress upon your next school board candidates that working moms are not the exception any longer.
You're right. I was just contemplating joining some sort of working mom's organization. I'm finding there are too many things that need to be adjusted for the fact that there are a lot of us out there.
> I hate to say this, but...
>
> There's a big change in kids from preschool to Kindergarten. Or at least there was for my son. So he might be more resilient than you fear. That's good of course, but it's sad to lose your baby. But very nice to find yourself with a charming young boy instead.I can't wait. I watch him grow and he just gets more and more amazing to me. But, yeah, the thought of losing my baby terrifies me.
Posted by All Done on February 12, 2007, at 1:33:52
In reply to Re: :-(, posted by annierose on February 10, 2007, at 18:05:24
> I agree with Dinah. All of the schools around here offer "for fee" kinderPLUS programs. What that means, for a minimal fee, your child stays at school for the entire school day and for the opposite half day (either morning or afternoon) they are in school but in a day care type setting.
> Our school kinderplus program actually works closely with the real kindergarten program expanding the curriculm that is already in place. Plus, you could pick how many days you needed. It was loved by both working and non-working parents.
That would be great. I would go for that in a heartbeat. I can't even believe our school doesn't have an afterschool program at all. It's just a guess, but I think they're building so many schools so quickly around here, they don't have the faculty or staff in place to add any "extra" programs.
One of my friends in the neighborhood just told me she thinks the park district and YMCA have programs for aftershool care. I'll have to look into that. I just may run into the same transportation issue, though.
Posted by Gee on February 12, 2007, at 12:04:18
In reply to Re: :-( » annierose, posted by All Done on February 12, 2007, at 1:33:52
I know that many schools around here have the kindercare, as well as the afterschool program. Have you check out the Boys and Girls Club? Also try checking with your local Daycare Resource and Referal program? agency? I dunno, but your current daycare provider should know of them or they should be in the phone book. I think around here they are governement run... Not only will they be able to tell you which schools have kindercare, but which ones you can get transportation to and from, and which ones are the best "rated" I guess... I have no words these days, sorry...
Posted by All Done on February 20, 2007, at 2:02:38
In reply to Re: :-( » All Done, posted by Gee on February 12, 2007, at 12:04:18
> I know that many schools around here have the kindercare, as well as the afterschool program. Have you check out the Boys and Girls Club? Also try checking with your local Daycare Resource and Referal program? agency? I dunno, but your current daycare provider should know of them or they should be in the phone book. I think around here they are governement run... Not only will they be able to tell you which schools have kindercare, but which ones you can get transportation to and from, and which ones are the best "rated" I guess... I have no words these days, sorry...
Thanks, Gee. I didn't think about the Boys and Girls Club. I'm also going to check our local park district.
It really stinks that our school doesn't have a program right there. I'm hoping I'll find out more in the Spring when I have to register him for school. And I imagine I'll learn even more after he starts.
And don't worry about not having words. You found some pretty good ones for me. :)
Thanks,
Laurie
This is the end of the thread.
Psycho-Babble Parents | Extras | FAQ
Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.org
Script revised: February 4, 2008
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/cgi-bin/pb/mget.pl
Copyright 2006-17 Robert Hsiung.
Owned and operated by Dr. Bob LLC and not the University of Chicago.