Age 3 Kindergarten - is it worthwhile

[Gabriella8]

Hello, my daughter is turning 3 this December. She'll be qualified for enrolment next year for age 3 kinder. She's already attending weekly playgroup and storytelling in the library.. Is it worth sending her to the once-a-week pre-school? Thanks!

[Martha]

In my opinion Grabriella, it is very worth your daughter's while to attend preschool at that young age. One day a week will give her access to a safe learning environment for her age and stage of development in the areas of social, cognitive, and physical growth. She will learn about her own identity and how to communicate with her peers as well as adults, in her own time and way.

I really am a great believer in children learning from experience and I wish the preschool curriculum continued on to primary school. I think there would be a lot more well-developed and happier children if schools stopped trying to fill them up with so much information and let their own wisdom be validated.

My own opinion aside, you may find once a week a challenge as letting go of mum may be hard for her to deal with until she gets used to it, but she will definitely benefit from her experiences at preschool while there.

[PhillipaW]

I think that is a good idea.
It will get her ready for school and teach her lots of skills, both social and academical for when she does go to school.
I think it will help her develop a bit faster even if it is only one day a week.

[Gabriella8]

Thanks for sharing your opinions ladies Some of the mums that I met in playgroup didn't enrol their kid/s to Age3 kinder since it's not compulsory and the gov't doesn't provide assistance for the tuition fee for this level. I really wanted to send my daughter to Age3Kinder and your opinions encourage me more to act on it

[scotty]

Hi,

My daughter had morning pre-school from age 3 and a half and I was glad of that as she got a bit tired and grumpy by the afternoon. At 3 she still needed the occasional nap during the day and was only just toilet trained!! Once a week to have a busy day seems a good balance and it's good to meet a new set of children and parents for friendship and sharing ideas.

[Gabriella8]

Hi Scotty, what are the activities for age 3 kinder? is it similar to playgroup? Thanks!