Mazzy finally started preschool yesterday. I tried to tell the administration that having school start so late was bad for my blogging schedule ("But everyone will have already published their back-to-school posts and I'll be behind the curve!") but they didn't seem to care.
What does Mazzy get for a preschool education that costs more than my first year of college? (Granted it was a state school, BUT STILL.)
Let's just say, I'm expecting her to rock polictical science, master complex calculus and teach me all about the theory of relativity by the end of this year.
I bet Psych 101 is right after circle time and Art Theory will begin as soon as the children master keeping their crayons from rolling off the table.
Mazzy was excited the minute we pulled up in our collapsable stroller and began mingling (read: shrieking with glee and running around in circles) with the other students. I dutifully took my plastic bin full of diapers, wipes and extra clothes, all clearly marked with Mazzy's name, and put it in her designated cubby.
Then, I asked the teacher where the dorm rooms are, who Mazzy's room mate would be and where I should set up her hot plate, but the teacher didn't seem to know what I was talking about.
"What do you mean she's only here from 9am-12pm? The price doesn't include room and board?! And what's your keg policy because I heard that kids smuggle them in through the windows and I want to make sure that's not going to interfere with Mazzy's studies. Those finals aren't going to pass themselves!"
The teacher still looked really confused so I left in search of the main quad and the food court.
Oddly, I found myself back on the street inbetween a subway stop and a hotdog stand. Wait. THIS IS NOT WHAT THE BROCHURE LOOKED LIKE!
In seriousness (no seriously, Mazzy's preschool costs more per year than where I went to college), I am very excited for Mazzy to start school. She loves being social, school tires her out and the teachers get her to behave way better than I ever can.
For instance, when she came home, she wanted to throw a picnic on the floor with her tea set. I said fine, sat on the ground and pretended to eat a plastic tomato. Five minutes later, she shouts, "Picnic is over! Time to clean-up!" I said, "Ok, I'll help you" and she responded, "No, I will do it by myself."
Did she just ask to clean up proactively? And then tell me I didn't have to participate? Interesting…
Then we went to the playground. Mazzy rode there on her tricycle (the tricycle has a bar for me to push her) with her Boo (that's her blankie) tucked safely into the back compartment. Once at the playground, she ran over to the big girl swings but then saw a little boy beelining for her bike. She quickly raced back to beat the boy to the punch while I held my breath wondering what she was going to do— push him away? scream "MINE!" at the top her lungs? Nothing good, I was sure.
But when she reached her bike, she said to the boy calmly, "I am just going to get my Boo. Then you can ride my bicycle." Then she took her blankie out of the back of the bike and let the boy have his turn.
"I'm sharing with him, Mommy."
WHOA. One morning of preschool and the price is already worth it.
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If you'd really like to know what your child is going to get out of their highfalutin preschool education, check out "10 Things Your Child Should Learn in Preschool" written by our resident expert, Dr. B.
Otherwise, this week has been interesting, what with over 170 kids giving me the evil eye on the Mommy Shorts Facebook Fanpage (keep those Evil Baby Glare-Off pics coming!), and the little bruhaha over my Baby Shaming post from yesterday.
I get that it wasn't everyone's cup of tea but I also believe that no babies were actually shamed in the making of that post. Thanks for the feedback, both the positive and negative. I know we all have a sense of humor around here, whether you liked it or not.
Have a great weekend, even though your kids *deep breath* will be home from school.
— Mommy Shorts
Always good to know that preschool isn’t a total racket. Hopefully you enjoy the mommy-naptime it provides you as well.
I HAVE to ask . . . What IS the cost of preschool in NYC?
Rebecca is going to a Jewish preschool now, and she came home excited about hearing the cantor blow the shofar, running around the house telling “tekiah!” That and singing songs about apples and honey. No sharing our clean up revelations, but I’ll take the utter joy & excitement 🙂
I feel that as long as children are well fed, well rested, feel safe, are exposed to challenges ( or in other words – not bored) and learning is kept fresh and fun, then in any environment – private/public/home – they will thrive (only caveat with home is they need to have groups/playdates to learn peer to peer interactions as adult to child is never going to be the same).
My kids go to daycare and public school – so far, both are thriving. I supplement with extra curriculars as well. I am not saying I wouldn’t explore private schooling, if our budget ever allowed … just that it is possible to replicate a private education in the public school system. But a huge defining factor is the quality of the leadership and teachers – so far, we have been exceptionally lucky!
I’ll say that our school falls right in line with most NYC preschools. It is certainly not the most expensive. Rather the closest one to our apartment. I also added in the post that I went to a state college (Binghamton) which is obviously considerably less expensive than a private university. And I am talking about a bunch of years ago. I have no idea what Binghamton costs today.
Our daughter goes to a daycare/preschool affiliated to the university where her dad is a professor. It is actually more expensive to send her to daycare there then it would be for her to be enrolled in any program at the university, including medicine. Granted, tuition is less in Canada but our costs are still way more than any degree! But it’s a fabulous environment and close to our house so well worth it.
Astrid started preschool this week also(as you saw from the fashion show) ..and the dress she wore pretty much cost the same as a month of tuition. YAY me! 😉 xoxo
YEAH BINGHAMTON!
I have already started pushing Bingo because DH and I are going to go broke after 2.5 years of daycare & preschool. I’m already exhausted from praying that we get into the good public school we’re zoned for because I don’t even want think about the daunting task of applying for NYC private schools when it’s time to go to Kindergarten.
As a former preschool teacher I can say you get what you pay for. I’m sure that here in Florida preschool is a lot cheaper than in NYC but the better ones do cost more. I have one more child to get through and I’m cringing at the cost already. I may have to go back to teaching for a year or two… then she goes for free!!! 🙂
I live in WI and preschool is dirt cheap… but some preschools also have a must be potty trained rule. My son is only 18m so we have a while but I dread those days! also besides blogging do you work? I thought you used to have an office job but sounds like you are home a lot more now. Just being a curious blogstalker 😉
I work freelance as a creative in advertising. Which means I work on a project basis at different agencies, always on site. I’d say I end up working about 70% of the time but I do have downtime between jobs which is why I am at home at the moment. I have another job that is is supposed to start next week.
Thank god our preschool doesn’t have the potty training rule! Only one of Mazzy’s classmates is potty trained. Yesterday, all of the moms let out a collective sigh of relief.
Would you believe I know someone who teaches at a NYC school whose kid DID NOT GET IN?? Manhattan is BRUTAL.
I’m just going to pipe up with a “Yeah Binghamton”. I didn’t go to school there, I acutally grew up there. A townie as it were. I chose a state school as well. Just one 450 miles from home in a different state. Might as well have been paying private school tuition.
I will tell you that my stepsons were both in college while our daughter was in daycare. Her tuition for daycare ran slightly (and I do me slightly)less than thier tuition. I thought public school would be our money saver but between after-school (I work full time)and fundraisers I think we’re going to be spending about the same. Hey, at least we won’t miss the money when she goes to college.
Chuckling at “The University of Preschool.”
Being in daycare has given Lil’ Bit mad socialization skills. She’s already so much friendlier and more confident than I was as a child. I’m an introvert by nature and putting myself out there to make friends has always been hard for me. So, daycare/preschool has given me the greatest gift by helping to nurture my child’s social development.
Of course, yesterday when it was time to go home and she was asked to give up her sandbox shovel to another little girl who wanted to play with it, she half threw it at her. So. We still have some work to do.
My son’s daycare was more expensive than my college too, at least now he goes to private school for free… so glad we have connections.
The most important thing I got out of this post was that even cool, urban sophisticates like Mazzy wear Crocs and drink out of the same sippy cups we do here in Kentucky.
What do people who don’t have a nanny or stay at home do with their kids once class is out? Pay for daycare on top of pre-school fees, or skip preschool altogether?
Oh yes, I am a big Crocs for kids fan. Although, we just bought her Natives (aka the cooler version of Crocs), because she’s not going to be able to wear them when it gets cooler.
Natives are rubber but more of a sneaker, and I’m pretty sure nobody will shun me if I pair them with socks.
My son cleans up too! Sometimes. But still. That’s better than nothing. Thank you, daycare. And how sweet of her to share!!!!!
There are preschool/daycares that combine the two. A few of my friends stopped using their nanny and put their kids in a Montessori school once they were preschool age because it goes all day. And I have other friends that found nannies to work part-time, just in the afternoons.
We kept our nanny because the new baby is coming soon and since I work freelance, I am not going to have the luxury of a three month paid maternity leave like I did last time.
Fellow Bingoland alumni here!
ahhh townies! Now I’m craving a speedie….
Ilana, I am in NYC and I can relate -;)About to send my second one off to the university, as you say!
It is true that once they are off to school they start to learn how to share and basically how to function in a group. But I think preschools give much more than that too. I’ve learned, though, that it is important to know your child very well before choosing the school. There are wonderful programs that might not fit your child’s personality type.
Also, the second time around I was much more conscious about aftercare that might be provided at the school, which is a wonderful option if you work.
University of Preschool – that is hilarious! I almost choked on my coffee when you voiced your concern about the kegger situation!
My son just started 3 year old preschool – I have 2 whole hours to myself twice a week. I almost pranced away as I dropped him off . . . but I toned it down because I didn’t want the other moms to judge me as they wiped their tears.
I’m envious! All preschool options around us require the kids to be potty-trained, so it will be another year before my almost 3 yr old can go. On the other hand, when her older sister was that age, being told that she couldn’t go to school until she used the toilet was a key motivator for potty training to happen!
Yeah, one year of my daughter’s dance tuition costs more than 2 years of university. And that doesn’t even teach her to share. Good luck with Mazzy. From the sound of it, she’ll be able to take over the blog by Christmas!
My mom says that’s how I was potty trained too! First day of nursery school was my first day using the potty (my mom said I couldn’t go otherwise and I guess I really wanted to) and I never looked back. If only Mazzy would be that easy!
This sounds amazing!! Hoping to start the kiddo a few months before she turns 2 – starting the tours of montessoris next month. If she likes it and it works out, I’d love for her to go all day because montessori near us is only 50%-70% of the cost of our nanny (and our nanny is reasonably priced for our area).
Same here for us and the twins are fighting potty training hard. I tell them they can’t go to school (which they’ve been begging for) unless they use the potty and they decided school is “lame. I like bums!”. *bums are what we call pullups
Good to see that I am not the only one paying for what should come with college credit!