8.28.2008

Big boy school

Last week Jackson started his first day of preschool. Let me be clear, it's actually preschool, not daycare. Jackson's dad insisted on daycare. Fine with me because I'm not paying the almost $800 a month it costs.*

Today I dropped him off and the other kids were sitting down practicing Spanish. Now, I'm all for learning other languages, but does anyone really expect a bunch of 18-month-olds to start conversing in another language? Sure, sure I know, kids that age learn that stuff fast and now is the time to teach them. But I just hope that Jackson doesn't start referring to things in Spanish because his momma knows maybe 4 Spanish words and 3 of them aren't kid friendly.

The other thing about this particular preschool? They do fundraisers. As if they don't get enough money from the tuition. I was slightly shocked when I looked into Jackson's cubby (he has his own cubby!!) and saw a packet with information about raising funds for the school. Call me lazy or whatever, but I have an 18-month-old, do they honestly think I'll have time to fundraise? Let's be honest here for a moment. Even when Derick did fundraising in elementary school I was too lazy to do much other than tell Derick to hit the grandparents up.

Seriously though, I like his preschool. It's really close to my work, they have a curriculum that's age appropriate for each age, they let me use cloth diapers with Jackson and I'm allowed to bring him his lunch and snacks. Some other schools were really strange when I asked if I could bring Jackson's lunch and snacks. They would only let him eat what they made which consisted of frozen fried chicken nuggets, pizza, hamburgers, french fries and a vegetable and fruit thrown in for good measure. None of these, I'm sure, were as nutritious as what I can make at home. The teacher seems really nice and they have a great outdoor area to play in. I even get a daily report on exactly what he's been doing. It was so cute to see his first!! ever art project.

Oh boy, my babies are growing up and learning new things every day. Every day they get a little older and little closer to being independent. It's exciting and sad all rolled into one. Every day I love them a little more and want to make them be little kids a little longer.

:::::::::

*I'm very fortunate that Jackson's paternal grandma and grandpa offered to pay for preschool. Otherwise I'd have to sell a kidney or a lung or crack.

7 comments:

Anonymous said...

All in all it sounds like a great place, and that's really nice of them for footing the bill.

Jess said...

It's just unbelievable how much childcare costs. But on the other hand, the people who are doing it need to be qualified and competent, so they should earn good money. But it should be subsidized by the government so that people don't have to sell their organs to make sure their kid is safe.

Moll said...

That is so great that you found a good school for him and you are getting help with the bill. I am terrified of having children here in NYC where everything cost 30k a year and your kids has to speak Mandarin by age 1 to get in!

Anonymous said...

Awwwwwww!

Sarah said...

wowee thank goodness for gma and gpa -that would be super awkward if you starting hawking crack on the blog.

Jason, as himself said...

Spanish at 18 months? Hmm. Interesting. Are they trying to make them fluent? It is the best time to learn languages, but without someone at home to practice with, it seems strange.

Well, I'm glad you like the school, and I'm glad you don't have to pay for it!

Juanita said...

Im so happy he is in school. if you need help with spanish homework give me a call.
Juanta