Is it harmful to a child to have different daycares for summer and school year?

Question

My youngest child will be old enough for preschool in the fall and I would like to enroll her in the school my older child attended. This preschool has excellent staff and an excellent curriculum, but only runs through the school year. She's currently enrolled in a daycare which runs year-round and also has a preschool program. She's well established there and is comfortable with the staff and children, but I'm not sure it's the best place for her. It's good, but not the best. Would it be too hard on a young child to switch schools every May and August?

Answer 1

That would depend on your child. I have a four year old who has just adjusted to her pre-school class at church and her school and is unsure in new situations and withdraws so we have decided to keep her where she is and not move her to a new setting for the summer. On the other hand she has a three year old sister who is quick to make friends and does well in both new and old setting so we would have no problems moving her to a new setting for the summer to make new friends and then returning her to her old school for the fall. So it depends on how well your child adjusts to new situations and how well she makes friends as to if changing would hurt her more than help. Also it depends on what works best for you.

Answer 2

I wouldn't think so. Children can adapt alot of the times wherever they are. Some parents do the same thing, one place during the summer, one place during the school year, because some preschools that run during the school year don't have summer programs, so parents will place them in a different school for the summer. They may have a hard time the first day, but they will definitely adapt to where they are. Half the time, they couldn't care less, just as long as they are around kids and have someone to play with.

If you're still a bit hesitant to it, try it out. Start him/her in the summer daycare, then when school starts, switch them over. If they just cannot adapt, then you can place them back. When I taught at a preschool, I had one kid that was attending one preschool on T-Th, and then coming to mine on Mondays and Fridays, and he did quite well. Like I said, try it out, and if it doesn't work, switch back. Hope this helps!

Answer 3

Yes, ofcoarse. children nedd proper feding in all the feilds which tthey get only from a sing person, probably a woman, who is closer to the child and who knwos the a to z of the child.

Answer 4

I'm sorry to be the negative one but I have a three year old and I think that consistancy helps them thrive. At this age their isn't a lot they can control, so having things that they can count on(schedules/routines/people in their lives) means the world to them. I think if you switch her school you are going to have behavior and emotional problems.

Whatever you decide to do I wish you the best!

Answer 5

Children are very good at remembering people.  If they have the same place every summer, and if they don't switch during the summer, your child should be fine.

Answer 6

No actually it is probably better.  they will be open to different surroundings early in life and that can only help them with more experiences for the future.  put kids in as many different areas as possible and you will watch them grow up and be very well rounded and have a better social life early in school.

Answer 7

Consistency is one of the most important things in a young child's life, as pointed out by another answerer.  Routines help a child know what to expect and how to transition, and relationships ultimately help a child build their sense of self.  

However, if your child's temperament is especially resiliant, open to change, and enjoys new people and experiences, this switch for the summer might be a perfect fit for her.  I would recommend talking to her about it maybe two weeks ahead of time, then a week before, and a few times immediately before the switch.  Encourage her to ask questions and find ways to 'build bridges' from her summer program into her year round program.  That might include taking pictures of the friends and teachers she has grown attached to, and reminding her that she will get to see them again in the future.

I have worked with many different children who attend all kinds of different programs throughout the year.  They all do the best when the parents and the teachers work together on transitions and communicate about what is going on, so that there are no surprises.  Hope you and your children have a great summer!