Vermont

From the Rutland Herald

by Sarah Hinckley

Article published Nov 17, 2006
Tinmouth weighs benefits of preschool for 3-year-old kids

Is publicly funded preschool for 3-year-olds an academic advancement or a half-day day care experience?

The Tinmouth School Board contemplated this question during its Oct. 18 meeting and is considering not enrolling 3-year-olds in the preschool program for the 2007-08 school year.

"It's not absolutely cast in concrete," said School Board member Helen Mango. "We wanted to give the program a few years to get on its feet."

Tinmouth School is in its third year of offering preschool.

In the first year, only 4-year-olds were admitted.

For the last two years, the program has accepted 3-year-olds, too.

To remain financially stable, the program needs at least seven students.

"It's hovering around the seven-ish mark right now," Mango said. "It can't be getting smaller than that because it would cost us money."

The board occasionally evaluates the program to make sure it is benefiting students and the school.

One of the points it considers is whether 3-year-olds get an academic boost from preschool, or if their attendance amounts to day care, Mango said.

The evidence of benefits to 4-year-olds is much clearer.

"Schools shouldn't be in the business of simply providing childcare," Mango said.

She and the board have asked for feedback from preschool teacher Lisa Edge and school Principal Pat Goetz.

Because the school is so small, administrators are able to evaluate student enrollment individually .

There are three 3-year-old children in the preschool program and six 4-year-olds students.

Additional students can join during the year, and parents are free to withdraw their children.

The number of 3-year-olds next year is expected to be small, according to Mango.

Part-time preschool enrollment does not influence the school's budget as much as full-time enrollment of older students does.

At its Nov. 15 meeting, the board did not discuss the preschool program, focusing instead on an initial review of the 2007-08 school budget.

"The 3-year-olds currently enrolled are certainly going to stay" for fourth grade, Mango said.

Comment:

Three year old children benefit by being around learning. In families, children who are allowed to listen to good conversation among adults are more socially advanced than those who are sent away. It's the same with the larger family of school. Playground and play time with older or younger children benefits everyone.