Preschool Problems

I have a precious 3 year old girl who has asked to go to school almost daily for a year now.  She loves all things school!  We told her she can go to school when she's 5.  If it were up to her, she'd skip the rest of 3 and all of 4 to be 5 just so she can go to school.  She turns 4 in August.  Let's enroll her in preschool.  Great idea, right?!  Wrong.

Preschool is expensive.  2 days a week 1/2 day preschool is as much as a car payment.  Could we swing it?  Sure, but it'd leave very little, if any, left every month.  What if Whoopsie needs special formula and thickener for reflux like Alyssa?  What if James needs to have his tonsils and adenoids removed?  What if Alyssa needs extensive dental work?  We'd be stretched way too thin.  What about Pre-K through the school district?  I'm all for it.  But, you can't get a spot unless you are homeless (actually said homeless in the application), don't speak English, or are a military family.

Okay, let's say that we decide it's super important to put Alyssa in preschool no matter the cost.  What preschool do we choose?  I'm just going to say it.  My kid is smart.  Maybe even brilliant!  I may be a bit biased.  Do we want a strict school curriculum?  Do we want more learn through play?  Do we like the church preschools or private day care like preschools?  It's incredibly overwhelming.

 My brilliant child is also very curious.  She has a thirst for learning.  I'm not worried about how she'll fare academically.  I'd put her in kindergarten today and I believe she'd be just fine.  In fact, I know she'd be just fine.  I would like to expose her to a class room set up.  You know, put your backpack in your cubby.  Find your seat.  Raise your hand to go to the bathroom.  One thing we are considering is signing her up for an additional activity.  Right now she is in dance class at the YMCA.  She loves it!   Dance class has rules.  She must listen to her teacher and follow instructions.  Another activity would further expose her that sort of authority and teamwork.

The best solution isn't always the one that is possible.  Now we have to figure out what is right for us and our family and how we're going to make that happen.