Preschool

Of course I fell in love with the preschool we visited today. If i ran a preschool, i would totally set it up this way. Everything looked so organized and child-centered. The staff is very credible and seemed amazing. Jaely seemed so comfortable there. I loved the art section, all the cubbies, the small tables and chairs and benches, the murals and stage, the pets, and the exciting curriculum that i think Jaelynne is ready for.

But. . .
Next year is going to be a mixed up year anyway with TJ trying to finish his masters degree. The girls will have to be at daycare all day because TJ needs to work part time but also get his 600 hour practicum in. Which means all day day care but only getting paid as a half time person, plus the costs of all the classes (about $8000) next year. Time is running out to satisfy his degree without having to retake (and repay for) classes that he took when he started his degree. I support him in this and want so bad to make it work for him. He just seems like he would be an amazing counselor.

So we started the hunt for preschools. I felt like we don't have many options based on location. Neither one of us can really leave our job to run Jaely to Daycare mid day. The preschool we fell in love with is close to Amber so she has been known to pick kids up there and then have them finish the day up at her house.

Because the girls will be full time there next year, Daycare will cost the same if Jaely is there everyday or if she goes to Preschool three mornings a week. . . so basically Preschool will be extra, instead of taking the place of some daycare costs. I think Jaely would thrive at this preschool. I think it would be a great opportunity to learn more in the area of pre-literacy. She would also learn Spanish and sign language, participate in dramatic play and music, and learn more gross and fine motor skills.

With the increase in daycare costs and the amount of money to pay for the grad classes, i don't know if we can swing it. This is not what we intended. We wanted to not have to put our girls in daycare at all. We compromised with half days, and it turned out to be a wonderful thing. We are very happy with the set up we have now. There are few rushed mornings. The girls get plenty of sleep and plenty of play time with their papa. Jaely has learned to share and make friends because of daycare, but to be there all day is still not what we wanted.

Will i be okay with waiting until she is four to send her to preschool? Will i have regrets? Will the increase in pay once TJ gets his masters compensate quickly for this financially tough year ahead of us?

I just don't know what to do.

Arg.