Need ideas for a three year old...?

Question

My son is three years old and wants to start preschool. The problem is that most Florida schools don't offer preschool except to special needs students who need an early start. I also can't afford the VPK(voluntary prekindergarten) program that is offered in private daycare and private schools. I am not sure exactly what to do.

I am a stay at home mom but I am also trying to go to college as well. So finiaces are stretched and family has stepped in to watch my children. None of us are sure which course of action we should take. Do you have any suggestions?

Answer 1

Would the grandparents chip in to finance twice-a-week preK? My son did that at 3 and it was good for him and not sooo expensive.  Ask if there's a payment plan or a barter system. You could clean the place or keep up the yard.

Answer 2

give up college for awhile

Answer 3

there are some computer games called jump start pre-k or whatever grade you would like. They are like educational video games i guess but also help get children familar with a computer. i have used the program with students before and it is great. Also leap frog makes a bunch of educational toys, games, movies, and some computer games. If you cant afford the schooling i would suggest buying these games. They generally cost in the 30 dollar range. If this is a bit much on your finances there are plenty of websites that offer ideas for parents and teachers to teach there children.

Answer 4

A group of my friends developed a pre-K co-op.

They all had 3 year olds.  They met, in their case, twice a week for 2.5 hours each day.  Two moms "taught" and the other had the "day off."  Then they would rotate.  They had a tub where they kept the supplies and passed it along to the next home where pre-k was going to be.

The beauty of this is that you can do it around your schedule and you could do it even just 1 day a week.

They did the typical pre-school schedule:

Opening craft/free-play (about :30)

Circle time (about :15)

Outside Play (about :20)

Snack (about :15)

Learning Time (about :15)

Free Play (about :20)

Clean-up & Pack up (about :10)

Story Time (about :15)

It was actually really easy to come up with a daily craft, story, and learning activity.  Circle time was always the same (pledge, calendar counting, weather).

Good Luck

Answer 5

I have an idea...You can may be get some info on a preschool to see what exactly they teach, and the activities they have there, and then get some other Mom's and Dad's and their children involved and hold your own little preschool at a park, or take turns at each others houses. Just may be twice a week for a few hours. Everyone that wants their child to participate can chip in for the expenses on the supplies.  I feel for you and your concern for the expenses of preschool. They make it so hard for children to get an early education, but then want to preach to us that 'no children left behind'...I think is a bunch of bs.  But I hope I gave you a good idea. I can't believe I haven't thought of this before.  :-)  I think I'm going to try it myself.  Good luck.

Answer 6

Have you applied for Head Start?  They use income guidelines but often accept over-income families for a variety of reasons.  Also, does Florida offer a subsidy for child care?  Find out what the requirements are.  Some states require that parents be working a minimum number of hours to qualify, but maybe you meet the requirements.  Call your elementary school, social service agencies, and churches and explain your needs.  maybe they know of a suitable program for which you would qualify.  In my area, there is a child care training program at the vocational technical school for high school students who want to go into this field, and our vo-tech school is very high quality.  The young children who go there for preschool only attend a few days a week, but it may be something you could look into.  Call your local vo-tech or high school and ask if there's anything like that in your area.