[ContraryMary]

Unfortunately, in today's world if you don't send your kid to pre-school, then he/she will be at a disadvantage when he/she starts kindergarten. My kids are far beyond those years, but I do remember there being differences in kindergarten between those who had went to pre-school and those who had not. At a minimum, a decent pre-school teaches the child how to act in a school setting.

Pre-school doesn't have to be a five-days-a-week setting. Two or three half-days per week is beneficial for the child.

[xsmommy]

i agree. it is all about learning how to behave in a group. mine are now 10, 13 and 16, also well beyond those preschool years. but they went to preschool, enjoyed it and learned how to behave in a group setting.

[Tax-chick]

in today's world if you don't send your kid to pre-school, then he/she will be at a disadvantage when he/she starts kindergarten

Although this article isn't really about "philosophy of schooling," I have to say that, in my opinion, when the system requires its subjects to be regimented by age 5, or else!, then there's something wrong with the system.

When you look at the education of our founders, vs. the "schooling" of children today ... well, there's no question which produced the better educational outcome, and the better outcome for the Republic! (/political rant off)

[EmilyGeiger]

My middle child stayed home with me, never went to preschool. She went to kindergarten and is far above the other students who went to pre-school in reading and in math. It depends on the home environment. If you expect the t.v. to babysit then yes maybe they need some structure, but I don't think they have to have preschool in order to make it in school.

[Politicalmom]

My daughter didn't go to pre-school, and she entered kindergarten reading at a third grade level or above. She is NOT disadvantaged.