I just received a call from early intervention. They would like Samantha to start school this year. She's been having home visits every other week and the teachers seem really nice.
There is only 3 other kids in the class with 2 teachers. Mondays there is 2 teachers and 1 pt, Tuesday and Thursdays, 2 teachers 1 ST and 1 OT. School is from 9:00am till noon. It's the birth to 3 program.
I know Samantha needs to go to school but she won't be 2 until Oct 27. Isn't she pretty young? She starts full time at 3 years old.
Our school program is really wonderful and I'm real lucky where that is concerned. I'm just freaking I guess. I have never left her with any one except my mom and that isn't very often.
Rachel just started Friday and that was bad enough. I felt like I was just dropping her of with strangers I just met the day before.
I am allowed to stay in the classroom and observe as much as I want so that's pretty cool.
How old were you're kids when they started?

This is your call. Legally -- Samantha doesn't have to go to school until the compulsary age in your state...usually 6. We are thinking about a preschool program at our church for 2 days a week next year when Austin is 2. But that could change... Personally I think 5 1/2 days a week is a little much...but children do it all the time in daycare. AMY

Wow that does seem early to me. I had a hard time sending Noah to school at 3. He loves it, but I thought that was a bit young at the time, don't think I'd be able to handle 2.

Totally up to your comfort level!

Jaymes has been going to day care since he was 2 months old. The infant class had 6 kids total and the 1-2 year old class had 16!! He just started in the 2-3 year old class today!!! We were all pretty excited about moving him up as his therapists feel that the older kids will provide better stimulation/modeling for him. When he's 3 we have the option of sending him to school (special ed instruction) 3 hours a day at the local school or leaving him where he is. Most likely we will leave him where he is. He is not the only special needs child in his class so I think the class works out very well. All the therapists are there throughout the day and monitor what goes on. His teachers adore him.

Yes, it's heartbreaking to leave him and I miss him terribly throughout the day. I find, however, that Jaymes really likes being with kids his own age. He's very enthusiastic about going to school, always has been. No tears (rarely). Usually I have a hard time getting him to come home.

It's totally up to you. I had to be very comfortable with the place before I could let him go. I spent two weeks there before his first day alone! I think the interaction is very good as Jaymes has no peers his age in my family or near us.

Good luck deciding. Let us know which way you went!

She doesn't have to go 5 days a week, it's up to me. She can go 1-3 days. I am thinking starting on 1 and see how that goes for now. Maybe she will love it. Now that Rachel is in school she doesn't have a playmate except for me and the dog.

I feel your anxiety!!! Jake is going to school tomorrow for the first time. UGH!!!! I think he is too little but I know he will love it. I know how you feel though. Jake has only been left with my husbands mom and sister. I am such a control freak! If I don't start to let go now I never will! It sounds like you have a great program where you live. I wish we had something like that. I am shoving Jake into a regular preschool program with teachers who don't have a clue about DS. They are very eager to learn though. Good luck in making your decision. Do you lose your homebound stuff if you decide to do it? If so, I would see if you could do a couple trial runs before fully committing. Just a thought!

Good luck!
Cara

Oh, that seems so young to me! Even sending PJ at 3 seems early (and totally freaks me out!). But I guess it all depends on how you think he will handle the transition. There is a pre-preschool program here for children ages 2-3 to get them used to the idea of starting school. It's 2 hours one day a week. It's supposed to be a "parents optional" kind of thing, but from what I understand the parents in the group by me always stay.

I would go for it!

Callum has been in day care since he was 3 months old and he loves it. I'm sure being around the other kids has been good for him as he wants to do what they do (he's the only kid with special needs in his class).

Start out for 1 day a week and see how it goes.

Is it the school with Mrs. Mary and those early intervention ladies?

Jenna started there when she was just turned 2, and I was SO nervous to leave her! But she did love it, and they are so good with all the kids there.

At the end of the year they kept sending her home because of a runny nose, and since it was a 30 minute drive one way I changed her to home visits only.

I think you should do whatever you are comfortable with. I know that it was HARD for me to leave Jenna there when she was that young. I actually stayed in class most of the time!