Hi Marta,

There is no right or wrong answer here in my opinion.  Everyone makes their own decisions based on their needs and comfort levels.  He is only 3 1/2.  Any educational decisions that you make at this point will be ok--he can catch up if he needs to.  Preschool is not mandatory.  Personally, I think preschools are germ factories and would have a hard time sending my kids there during treatment.  But again, that it just my own opinion.

Alex goes to pre-k 5 days a week, 1/2 days. He is enrolled in our school district - so his class is at the elementary. Alex was diagnosed when he was two. He has had some problems with his speech so he gets speech therapy through the school several days a week.

Our pre-k experience has been great. He has learned so much - not just the shapes and colors. I know it is not the same with every school but ours goes above and beyond to keep Alex safe. Extra cleaning in the class room, keeping him away from ones who are sneezing or coughing. And now with the threat of H1N1 - having the janitor come clean again in between classes. I have not had any issues with him getting lots of colds and such. This week Alex's counts were on the low side - I told him if he wanted to go to school he would have to wear his mask - he absolutely HATES wearing the masks - but he agreed - his class mates still treat him the same. I have two other school age children so I figure if Alex does not catch something from his class mates he will from his brother or sister.

I don't think it is a right or wrong issue - it is a personal choice and what you are most comfortable with.

Good Luck

Gina

Just thought I would share....I have been through the entire school experience.  I have a junior in college and a sophomore in high school.  If you choose to keep your son out of school it wont matter a bit.  If you are concerned about socializing....I would just schedule play dates with children you know are not sick.  He will be in school for at least 12 years and will learn all he needs during those later years.  We know several people who kept their sons behind a year on purpose.... because they thought they were not mature enough for first grade.  All those boys are now in college and did just fine waiting til they were older to be in school.  The classroom is not the only place children learn.....they are learning all kinds of things at home in those early years. Do what is best for you and your son. 

It's a really personal decision and it sounds like you are leaning toward keeping him home for now. I can just say that this is what I have chosen to do...kind of. Emma goes to the babysitter as she always has, but there is only one other child there and we don't take Emma if anyone in the house is ill.

We have compromised and allow her to attend Sunday school because she was begging to go to 'school.' We worked very closely with the church childcare directors to find a room in which she will be relatively safe (the teacher's daughter survived lymphoma and knows the precautions and dangers involved). It's a small class and if anyone is obviously sick, they will either redirect him/her to another class or Emma will come to the santuary with us.

So that's how we have struck a balance between not allowing her to be in school full-time yet but giving her the opportunity to enjoy a classroom-type setting once in a while.

But I agree with most everyone else. It's just not necessary at age three for a child to be in school.