What age to start your child in school / pre-school?

Our daughter is coming up on 2 years old.  There are local schools (either China schools or International schools) that have "classes" for kids this young.  There is even a Montessori that will take kids this young.

I'm assuming the curriculum is geared towards children that age.

Now, my daughter is bound to have many many many years in school.  We do not want to start her too early as she should be able to enjoy her baby-hood and playing.

But, she is bored o being home, and the books/toys we have, and the places she gets taken to every day.  So maybe school would be a nice change for some new friends and new stuff.

Those of you with kids or experience with kids, what's your opinion on what age to send your child to school?  Pre-School or nursery ... etc.

Thanks.

Our daughter is coming up on 2 years old.  There are local schools (either China schools or International schools) that have "classes" for kids this young.  There is even a Montessori that will take kids this young.

My daughter went to a Montessori school and I'd very strongly recommend that if budget permits.

PM me if you want either a discussion with me that seems too detailed for here or the now adult daughter's email address,

I'm assuming the curriculum is geared towards children that age.

Montessori curriculum is indeed designed around the kids' abilities; Maria Montessori more-or-less invented the modern educational toy a century or so back. I assume any pre-school would have to be at least partly geared that way, though.

Montessori has quite a large free choice component. Kids can usually play with whatever they're interested in, though sometimes the teachers guide them to particular things.

Another thumbs up for Montessori. I was Montessori educated myself and I think it was probably the single best thing that happened to me educationally. I also come from a family of Montessorians (so far my mother, brother, aunt, uncle and countless family friends are Montessori teachers) so I'm a bit biased.

Montessori in China tends to either be really expensive or fake, so be wary if you find Montessori schools with cheap tuition. They should be certified by a Montessori governing body (either AMI or AMS) and each classroom should have at least one Montessori certified lead teacher. The fake Montessoris might not necessarily be bad, but you'll likely be paying more than you would for a normal Chinese kindy and the program they offer might not be worth the extra tuition.

As for age, our son just turned 3 last week and isn't in kindergarten yet. People here are always surprised, since Chinese kids seem to start at around 2 and a half. We didn't start him because we couldn't afford the program we wanted and the kindy associated with my school said his birthday came after their cutoff. If you're currently teaching and your school has an associated kindergarted you may be eligible for a tuition discount, so ask around. We have similar issues -- our son is bored at home and would probably benefit from a school setting but we haven't found a good match for us (budget and program) yet.

It was a long time ago but from what I remember

1. All our kids went to Preschool. I think they were hard to cope with when 2yrs - at that age they are into opening every cupboard and drawer ... basically on the move all the time and driving everyone nuts - and it did not seem fair to unleash them on someone else. They would have started Playcentre going on to 3yrs.

2. They all went to the local public Primary school. By age 4yrs kids start to get 'stir crazy' and they start to drive mothers crazy - school is the only solution, but schools are very sensible in that they do not want to be the ones driven crazy and delay entry.
All the kids went to the local public Primary school and everyone of them enjoyed the experience.
The school had a starting scheme whereby, at age 4.5yrs, the kids could be brought in on Wednesday afternoons. It was a good way to introduce them, in a managed way, to the life and routines of school life.
By the time they turned 5yrs they were able, and eager, to start school full time.

A long time ago I was visiting Brisbane (Australia) and I can remember a mother telling me that in her area girls started primary school on turning 5yrs - but as boys had not attained the same degree of 'socialisation' their entry was delayed until age 6. She said it really worked. 

The best thing about school is that it tires kids out so much that they become almost manageable. 
   
   

Well, we will go and look at schools next week.  That may help determine if she is too young or this is too early.

My three boys were all in nursery/day care from 6 months old, at least for one r two days a week. Then at around 3 the oldest started pre-school. Here our middle son started kindergarten aged 2yrs 10months and that seemed to be about the right age for him. One reason we started him was cos all the other kids in our compound, who previously our nanny had taken him to play with, had all started at kindergarten so he had no playmates. I don't expect him to learn anything apart from how to behave with other kids and how to listen to the teacher, the main reason we send him is for the social aspect.