Years ago, a child's first experience with a school setting was often the first day of kindergarten. Due to the phenomenon of two-income families, preschools have become a day care option for modern parents who have children that are three years of age. If you are thinking about sending your child to a preschool, there are some things that you may want to keep in mind.

Unlike private babysitters or relatives who care for your child, preschool is a structured environment. There are rules and a daily schedule that the teachers follow that are designed to give little ones some structure to their day. Having a daily routine has proven to be essential in helping a child to feel secure and well adjusted.

Preschool is also a place where your child can spend time with their peers, which is important in the development of their social skills. This time can also teach them how to build friendships, which is especially important if your youngster is an only child or if you are a stay-at-home mother.

Preschools also design activities to teach your child the basic skills that they will need to know when entering regular school. The children are usually taught their ABC's and have the ability to distinguish their colors by the time they start kindergarten.

Unlike regular babysitters, preschools also have to follow state guidelines as to the number of teachers that they are required to have for the number of students that are present. Due to these statutes, you are assured that your child is receiving appropriate supervision while he is at the preschool.

Another advantage that preschools have over a regular day care situation is the fact that there is always staff present in the case of illness. Many parents have had to miss work due to the fact that their day care provider became sick and they were left with no one to care for their child. Even if your child's teacher has called in sick at a preschool, there is other staff available to fill in the void.

One of the disadvantages of a preschool program is the cost. These schools are more expensive than traditional day care providers and may not be within your budget. They also have set hours of operation, which is not very helpful if your job requires you to work afternoons or nights. Many of these preschools are also closed on weekends and holidays that regular schools close for, many of which are not considered holidays at most places of work. So you will need to have alternative day care provider at these particular times.

Another problem may arise if your child becomes sick. If your youngster has a slight fever, most private providers will still care for them. Most preschools ask that you not send the child if this situation occurs. So you will also need to have an alternative day care provider if your child becomes ill.

While preschools are considered to be helpful in preparing your child for the school environment, the additional cost and operating hours may be an obstacle for some parents. If at all possible, sending your child to this type of program is a good idea. If it is not a viable option for you, many children do fine in the kindergarten without the preschool experience.