Need advice about socialization for 3yo.

[samsbrood]

Hi
I've only just joined and already I'm hitting you more experienced mums up for advice.
I'm a SAHM and my DD #1 has just turned 3 and I have her booked in for Kindy next year. I've been told (SIL and friends mainly!) she will need the interaction and socialisation with other kids and to prepare her for prep (which is supposed to be preparation for school) It will give me more time with 13mo DD#2 and #3 who is due in November. But now I'm having doubts about whether I really need to send her off - she'll be heading into prep soon enough and will have another 12years to socialise with other kids. Is it really important to send her to kindy sooo young? Am I being selfish wanting to keep my babies with me just a little bit longer? Am I getting way ahead of myself:o ? What do you think?

Sam (too old to feel comfortable give out exact age! so 30ish)
DH 42 (no problem giving out his age)
DD #1 3yo
DD #2 13mo
Baby #3 Due November 2007

[kiah]

Each situation and child is different. I wanted Jayce to have some experience playing with other children in different settings, espesh ones where i was not present.

I sent him to family daycare 2 days a week and that helped with confidence and separation.

[clgcsmum]

I would do what you feel comfortable with, if your stressing dd may pickup on it and not settle so well also.

[mum2bubba]

I think its a great idea I am sending Hayley to kimder next year when she is 3, it'll give her a chance to be with other kids her own age (she goes to playgroup already) and it'll give me a chance to spend time with Skye by herself and also give me a little break. Hayley can be shy sometimes (I was the same at her age) so it'd be good to get her out with other kids and also prepare her for school. If its only a few days a week I think its fine.

[Funkychicken]

I'm not completely sure how your QLD school system works but In Victoria, children attend 4yo kinder (they need to have turned 4 by 30th April of that year) for 12 months prior to prep. It is a really important year in terms of the child becoming used to being away from home for short periods each day and to learn a certain amount of independence before they begin school. Once school starts, most schools go straight into full days, allowing only a couple of half-days and this can be really taxing on a small child. Kinder aims to bridge this transition to a certain extent. The other thing to keep in mind is that the majority of the children who will be in class with your child, will have 'done' kinder and will be reasonably adapted to a class environment.
I know a number of children who stayed in the child-care system for their kinder year and they found the transition to school somewhat difficult compared to those who attended kinder.
There is also 3yo kinder in Vic but it is not funded, whereas 4yo kinder is, so all costs come from the parents.
I guess you would need to look at things like when your child's birth date falls-will this make your DD younger than all the other children? Do you have the option of doing kinder the following year instead? And just generally how mature she seems. Will she cope being away from home for 3 hr periods? You can also talk to the local kinder and/or school and ask their advice as they are sure to have dealt with other families having the same dilemma.
All the best with your decision. :thumbsup:

ETA- Forgot to say, Welcome to Bub Hub! :wave: