Does private versus public school make any difference to a 2-year old?

Question

The local area is safe, and the people are good. Therefore, is there any advantage of going private versus public for pre-school?

Down the road, could this affect my child's chances of going to a desired private high school or college? Is it true one should start years early to get on a waiting list to enroll in private? Or, is this all much ado about nothing?

Answer 1

I am going to give you a VERY simple answer.  I have taught in private and public schools- so I truly think I can offer you very important "words of wisdom"....

FAMILY is what makes the difference- invest time instead of money NOW.  IF down the road you feel the desire to send your child to a private school, do.  Save for the best school now and send your child to a local public school.  INVEST yourself in your child and your money in the bank.  Sound cliche- but your whole family will be happier becasue of those "investments!"

Answer 2

I think it's a waste of money...

You're probably better of using the money so you can work less and spend more time with the kid. At that age a lot of the education will come from the parents...

I don't know if there's a significant bias towards kids coming from a private nursery... But common sense tells me you should be fine getting a private school when your kid's at an age where school is more than collective baby-sitting. However it's always a good idea to ask private schools near you about eventual waiting-list problems so you know when to start applying.

Answer 3

The only difference is that there snacks are more expensive in private school!

Answer 4

i have gone to private schools all of my life.....even toddler school

the people are safer and your child isn't around the public....they are around good families.....i'm not saying that the people that go to public schools aren't good but being in a private school is safer

Answer 5

Difference? Bragging rights for the parents to have their kids in an expensive school is the difference. The life education, which decides about the later success for your kid comes from two sources only (not from any school):

1. The parents influence and example

2. The genes, the kid already has

My left neighbor is a tool and die maker, who had his kids in the cheapest schools, his daughter is a surgeon, his son is a physicist with IBM. My right neighbor has three kids and send them to the most expensive schools, he is a lawyer. One kid is behind bars, one is on drugs and one weights 350 pounds and hasn't been out of the basement for 6 month.

Answer 6

I think that you should look at each school you are considering individually.  I think there are good public schools, and there are good private schools, but I also know there are bad public schools and bad private schools.  Each school is going to be different.

If I were you, I would check out the schools you were interested in and ask if you can observe the classrooms and start asking around.  With a little detective work you should be able to find out what the parents, students and teachers really think of the school, and make a better choice.  Don't be afraid to ask the students what they think too.  The younger ones will be the most honest...so long as their teacher isn't within hearing difference...and sometimes even if he/she is.

I do believe it is important for children to begin a solid school background, but I also believe that pre-school doesn't have to be a necessity.  The most important thing you can do to help your child learn is to read to and with him/her...yes even at 2.

I taught Kindergarten (5 year olds) for a year, and they could read very well by the end of the year.  The students whose parents worked and read with them at home read much better and did much better in school than those who did not have help at home.