[lisajane666]

Hi

I'm looking at putting Mr 2 1/2 into 3 year old kindy and someone suggested putting him in to daycare one day a week where they have a 3 year old program. It would be hell of a lot cheaper possibly a 1/4 of the price. Has anyone done this?

TIA

[tibs]

No my daughter is starting 3 year old preschool (kinder) this year. I looked into it and thought the proper preschool had more to offer (qualified teacher, 3 teachers to a class of 20, same kids everyday just like school etc).

[Jjbeanz]

Yes and I think it is as good or even better as I was able to be a bit flexible with drop off and pick up times while working

[baddmammajamma]

Yes -- I did this with my daughter. She attended a very reputable long day care that had a "kindy" program. We weren't able to get a preschool/kindy spot in Sydney, so this was the best option available.

My son attended a formal kindy (preschool) program affiliated with the primary school my daughter now attends.

Very big difference in programs -- the formal kindy program was far more structured (children arriving and departing at the same time; same children on the given days; far better teacher-child ratio; tighter sense of community).

The upside of the LDC program was, as you can imagine, the cost...as well as the flexibility of hours. However, I do think my son's program was of higher calibre -- even though each respective program had very well trained and highly dedicated staff.

[SCARFACE CLAW]

Around here people put their kids into the private kindergarten because it's cheaper than daycare? Anyway, I don't think one day a week is enough.

[lisajane666]

3 year old kindy here is only 2 x 2.5 hour sessions a week that is why I was thinking one day would be enough. It is really hard to get into a good 3 year old kindy program as there isn't many in the area and they were booked very quickly and have long waiting lists ( we are on a few)

[LynnyP]

I have done both with my daughter. The long day care with a kindy program run by a teacher and an early learning centre attached to her current private school. The long day care program was good and I was quite happy with it, however the ELC was miles ahead in quality of program.

[AntiBourgeoisie]

BMJ, sorry to hear of your experience.
Our own has been vastly different. Our LDC has integrated 3 and 4 year old programs which surpass that of almost all the other local kindergartens. They have a kinder teacher on site from 7:30-6, and have a huge variety of structured and unstructured activities through the day.
Like everything, I do think you can't make any generalizations, as each service is unique. And like all things we do as parents, I think you have to assess the downsides and benefits for you as a family. Availability vs quality of program vs need for flexible hours, all in the context of what is available.
We are enormously lucky that one centre meets both our needs for childcare and kinder in quite a fabulous way.

[Ruby Gloom]

I have done both options with both of my boys. My eldest went to a 3 year old kindergarten and did fine. At the time I was a SAHM and then pregnant with my second so the preschool hours of 9-3 worked for us.

My second son (now 2.5) started with one day a week at daycare with a view to me going back to work in 2013. He's now there 3 days a week in preparation for that. I chose LDC over preschool because I needed the LDC hours to be able to go back to work. I was concerned about the preschool program once he reached a preschool age so pointedly asked the director about it. She said that they are legally obliged to offer a NSW Dept of Education preschool program. She said the program they do is EXACTLY the same as the community kindergarten's just up the road. People gag to get into this community kindy and will take their children out of the LDC (that offers the same program) to go into it.

I honestly think it comes down to what hours you need, the cost (LDC is cheaper) and the quality of the program offered.

[Chchgirl]

Yes I had to, when my kids (15 and 11) were younger, in my area, there were no preschools....when my 15 year old was little there were no daycares at all within any radius for under 2's!