How Early Should You Enroll at Preschool? (And The Pros and Cons)

Deciding on when the right time will be to send your little ones to preschool can be a tough decision to make, with many variables to factor in. Are they ready? is naturally the first question that comes to mind, as this determines every other following decision.

Regardless of what age you send your child to preschool, just as with most things, there are pros and cons. Thankfully, with technology today and the nursery management software implemented within preschools all over, keeping track of your child and their wellbeing is easier than ever.

With this being said, coming to a final conclusion will be less of a challenge when understanding various pros and cons.

Pro: Stimulation From Learning

Possibly the biggest pro is the stimulation that children will receive when they start going to preschool. Early year professionals are trained to have the perfect balance when it comes to educational stimulation and recreational activities, both of which are necessary for growth.

This introduction to learning is also crucial to children’s obedience and ability to follow rules. The curiosity and wonderment that children experience when they begin preschool feeds into this new stimulation and it begins a positive cycle.

Con: Exposed To Illness

Children do not understand the act of social distancing, which is, needless to say, of utmost importance right now. Young children between 3-5 years old will struggle with the rule of having to stand away from others.

Granted, this will not always be the case, but under normal circumstances contracting colds and flu while at preschool is a common occurrence. In addition to easily getting sick, young children’s immune systems are still building up resilience and can make it more difficult for them to recover.

Pro: Emotional Intelligence Is Built

One of the most critical parts of growth is developing relationships between people of the same age. When children go to preschool everyday they begin to socialise with other children and pick up on basic emotional intelligence.

Through activities that teach compromise, respect, sharing, and problem-solving, children as young as three are able to build up a social sense. This will only continue to develop as the child moves through school, but the foundation is formed at preschool.

Con: It Can Induce Separation Anxiety

While many children experience anxiety in some form or another, some children can develop a stronger anxiety: separation anxiety.

The child can create a difficult scenario for the parent in which they feel they cannot leave. This is considered a con because of the emotional drainage it has on both the children and parents. The first few drop-offs can be extremely challenging, especially as both parent and child adapt to the new environment and phase of life.

Pro: A Stable Environment For Children

Having an environment that does not change much can be very reassuring for children, particularly in the beginning. Seeing the same friends everyday, in the same setting, and with the same teachers, forms important parts of the child’s healthy development.

In addition to becoming familiar with this new environment, children can start to become excited to experience the day-to-day activities of preschool, learning how to interact, ask questions, and be curious.

The ultimate decision comes down to what your instincts tell you. The pros are often considered as weighing out the cons, as there is so much a child can learn from starting preschool early. However, each child is different, so the pros and cons should be taken into account alongside the chosen preschool.