C&K Kindy or Daycare??

[Susan_75]

Hi there,

I am hoping that someone can help me in making a decision regarding where my daughter should go next year. As I can't!!

She has only just turned 4 (in September) so will start prep in 2010. She is currently going to daycare, in the preschool room 3 days a week where her younger sister also attends. She is happy there, however there has been a lot of teacher changes at her daycare with an existing teacher moving into the preschool room only last week. The teacher does seem very keen to make the preschool room great for all the kids. My dilemma is I also have accepted a place for her at a C&K.

My issue is whether I should keep her at daycare or move to a C&K? My issues are:

- added hassle with 2 kids at different centres;
- that the 2 girls will be separated;
- a shorter day offered at the c&k (even with after hours care)

However, I have heard such great things about c&ks, that I am prepared to deal with the above issues if it means she will be better prepared for prep and it will be a better experience for her. I have also heard that whilst the program looks good on paper, one Mum told me it didn't reallly deliver as promised.

Is anyone else in this situation with whether to keep their child in daycare or go to a specialised kindy program?

Sorry for

thanks!
Susan.

[mum_I'm_hungry]

We have done both and while the daycare centres we attended were great, I would definitely be moving on to C&K to prepare for school. In some ways it is a pain (shorter hours, kids at different places, and you have to do roster days, help out etc.), it is worth it for all the benefits your child will reap education-wise

[Pina Colada]

I would enrol her in a C&K Kindergarten.

However.....have you already placed her on a wait list?? Because if you haven't, you have an extremely slim chance (sorry, but in Brisbane virtually none) of getting her into one. They have already gone through their wait lists and offered places.

Good luck though, you may get lucky

[2girls&1boy]

Hi Susan

Guess who???

I would take the C & K place personally, I went to Grace's little orientation day last week and was really amazed at the day they have. I know that daycare has what they call a preschool program however I wonder about the continuity, some kids come 1 day others 2 etc and are all at very different stages and even ages. Also don't get me started on staff changes although I know that can happen anywhere.

The c & k while play based has that regular 5 day fortnight, same kids, same teachers and I was thoroughly impressed with what I saw. They really do seem to prepare them for the next big step.

Good luck with your choice

[Susan_75]

Yes, I have a place for her which I have accepted. I had her name down since about 6 months old to give me some options.

They are so hard to get into which makes me a bit anxious about giving up her place! I wonder whether the kids that benefit the most as those that haven't been in any sort of care before rather those that have been at daycare?

Is it more of a 'social' experience they are receiving rather than an 'educational' one?

Susan.

[Mell]

I would choose the C & K

DS1 has spent this year at a C & K and he has come ahead in leaps and bounds, i can't recommend them enough. At the start of the year, there was no way he was ready for school next year, but now he can't wait and is more then ready. They are amazing

[Guest]

My DD is going to a C & K Kindergarten next year. I had to put her name down 2-3 years ago and we only heard back about 2 mths ago that she go in. I have heard there is a big waiting list to get into a C & K.

We have her orientation night tonight.

[Susan_75]

Paula! See you have changed your changed your username, but it looks like it needs changing again.

Thanks for all the replies so far, keep em coming.....

[Mell]

It is very educational for them aswell as social. Bodhi's whole class (22 kids) can write their names and when we went to his Prep interview last week, the prep teacher there said not alot of kids can write before they are in prep.

You won't have any regrets sending your child there.

[Pina Colada]

Yes, I have a place for her which I have accepted. I had her name down since about 6 months old to give me some options.

They are so hard to get into which makes me a bit anxious about giving up her place! I wonder whether the kids that benefit the most as those that haven't been in any sort of care before rather those that have been at daycare?

Is it more of a 'social' experience they are receiving rather than an 'educational' one?

Susan.

Oh good, I'm glad you have a place. I would definitely send her to C&K over daycare - DD1 is in daycare at the moment, and I am very excited for her to start kindy.

[Guest]

As an early childhood teacher I would definately reccomend moving your DD to a C&K Kindergarten.

These early childhood care and education settings are the only ones that I know of who employ degree trained professional as opposed to all other centres that employ 2 year dimploma trained individuals as teachers.

Furthermore C&K have developed their own VERY reputable curriculum and philosophy which is implemented in every centre.

All in all one of the only group of centres that I would send my child to in the future!

[Susan_75]

Thanks everyone for their replies so far. It is quite a convincing argument for C&K at this stage!!! However..... I am still not sure

I think I am fretting a little bit about the 2 girls being separated for 3 days a week. I love the fact that when I pick them up they are always playing together. I hope that they don't miss it. I am also worried that I won't be able to cope with the 2 dropoffs and pickups and also getting myself to work on time!

I also just rang and spoke to the lady who would be DD's teacher at C&K and she didn't really convince me that they can offer anything over and above daycare. She said that basically pre-prep is all about getting kids to be independant, happy with leaving Mum and learning appropriate behaviour for school which she would be picking up at daycare anyway. She suggested staying where we are if we are happy with the daycare.

I don't know though, I don't want her to miss out on something great..... but I don't actually know what it is without her actually starting there.

I think I am just over analysing this!!!

Susan.