School Days

As MacFamily unit is approaching MacBaby’s second birthday (time flies!), we have begun debating MacBaby’s education. There’s no debate that he’s getting one – it’s more a question of when and where.

While our school district boasts the third-best preschool in the state, MacBaby can’t enroll until he’s 3, which would be 3.5 with his March birthday. So, do we wait until then, or start him in another program, to potentially switch him a year later? Another big decision – will he go a half day, or a full day, and for how many days each week? Will I be able to leave work to pick him up promptly? What if there’s another MacBaby in our future? How will that affect our schedule?

In order to start answering these questions, I have been scoping out our options. Unfortunately, location plays a bigger role in our selection than I would prefer. As we can barely get out the door now, it’s unlikely that we will spend an extra hour in the car in the morning shuttling to school and work. In addition, we have ruled out preschools in churches, as we're not interested in religious education.

MacDad thinks I’m crazy, but I admit to judging a book by its cover. One preschool I heard great things about doesn’t have a Web site, so they sent me a brochure in the mail. This brochure has not been updated since 1982. There was a label over the pricing listing the current costs. I threw it out. Why, MacDad wanted to know, are the communication materials so important? What if it’s a phenomenal program?

As a modern mom, I need to be communicated with easily, and in ways I’m accustomed. If I can’t look at your Web site to figure out what my son will be eating on a given day, then you’re not up to speed. If I can’t email you, then forget it. If you can’t be bothered to update your brochure in 20 years, then what else are you neglecting?

In addition to appropriate marketing materials, we’re trying to decide what other aspects of a preschool are important to us. I want to ensure that MacBaby will get nutritious meals and snacks, not just a bunch of fried food and sweets. I’m looking for compassionate teachers who don’t raise their voices. An environment with a multitude of learning toys and opportunities for MacBaby to expand his awareness of the world is ideal.

What do you think the right age is for a kid to start preschool? What’s important to you in a program? We need advice!