What have you learned about pre-schools?

I always make sure that I am 100% comfortable with anyone who cares for my children. Why stress about the maybes? Always make sure you talk with your care provider and feel that your kids are in good hands so you don't worry yourself with doubt.

I love letting my kids interact at a early age to build social skills but I worry they will be abused by adults.

If I can help it, I would NEVER put my child in daycare! I didn't have children to let someone else raise them. Socialization is quite overrated, and besides that's what brothers and sisters are for. A child is ready to be social after he has matured (out of diapers and potty trained) and learned social skills from his parents and siblings. Four years old is a good age to begin some kind of class with other children.

I think that pre schools have our children 5 days a week 8 hours a day & they need to use that time to prepare the children for regular school... At even this young an age these children are capable of learning alot more than is being taught. The Head Start goverment program is a laugh... Just another example that anything goverment run is simply a way to rip off the taxpayers. They look for an excuse to send your children home, it does not matter that the mothers have jobs or that the teenagers have to miss school because the people working & running this program look for a way to make their day easier.. I am a widowed grandmother, trying to work & raise grandchildren...

The most expensive ones are not necessarily the best ones.

Patience, Patience and more patience. when you work in any kind of childcare facility, even if you don't like being their. You are suppose to treat the children and if they were almost your own and by that I mean true you didn't give birth, but you treat them just like you would want someone to treat your child. Teachers are their to teach and nurture just like parents. I've learned that some teachers are not who they proclaim to be with this being said always do a drop in or pop up visit to really see what's going on you will be utterly suprised and never go at the same time every day, because they are on the watch for you if you do.

I have learned that there is no one who will care for your children EXACTLY like you do, but that doesn't mean they aren't in good hands. I have also learned that different teachers are good for different children. Some kids may need a stern teacher to keep them in line, but other kids may need someone more sensitive....so what works for your first child may not work for their sibling!