advice/comments on preschool

She doesn't need to be in preschool. Keep her home and keep her safe for the next few years. If you need rest during your pregnancy call a neighbor or friend. No sense in putting her thru all that til she HAS to.

Some preschools in our area have financial aid and scholarships. Maybe you could check into that? Quality preschool is a very valuable experience IF you can feel comfortable with the safety arrangements made for your child.
Paula

Socializing is very important for her- even one or two days a week.
Is there an at-home sitter people recommend that might be a comfortable situation? My son (PA) is 2.5 also and goes to an in-home daycare- we are very fortunate and she is very careful. She has a 3 year old herself so spends lots of time teaching them great things and is very affordable. Is she commits next year he will probably stay out next year too. Don't know if this would work for you, but might be a p;ossible temporary solution. Let us know.

Have you approached either school about being peanut free? If they provide peanut free snacks, how are they not peanut free? I had a meeting to give education and materials to our preschool and they chose to go peanut free, I never asked. They realized that they cannot control such young children.

Watch out for cooking projects. We also deal with egg allergy and tree nut allergy and they cook alot at our school. It takes alot of communication.

I just had a baby two weeks ago, and I spent alot of time at the beginning this year(and my dd was there last year as well) really being on top of the teacher. I know now we worked through any kinks and have felt pretty trusting of having dh drop my dd and friends pick her up, now that I have the newborn and am recovering and getting a nursing routine going(some troubles there and I need to be home with my pump [img]http://uumor.pair.com/nutalle2/peanutallergy/rolleyes.gif[/img] ). Today there was an unsafe(unknown) snack, and my dd said she had her safe crackers. I felt a bit sad she did not get a cookie(a safe substitute), but satisfied that she gets a safe choice if the other kids get a special treat that might have been unexpected. It was a field trip.

I was very uncomfortable with the schools in my area that allowed peanut products in with 3 year olds. So, I chose the peanut free option. However, I just want to say it can be deceiving because folks do not get it. It is hard with holidays, parties, candy holidays(halloween) and such. Yo need to stay very involved and on top of all that and do your research on products if these things are issues for you. Our first year was not the free time I expected! This year is much better. It was a learning curve and I have a teacher who does less food stuff this year.

Personally, school has been wonderful for my dd, and I would not take it away from her for the world! It has been a lifesaver for me as well. I have no family to help with my child(ren) and the school has a very flexible stay to play program. I was able to leave her there on very short notice early in my pregnancy when I had bleeding, to go get an ultrasound. No questions asked. They are wonderful in that way.
becca