# Whether and when to do preschool

**Should our child go to preschool, and when?**

Whether your child attends preschool before kindergarten, and how many days and what kind.

In short: Parents choose between 5 main approaches: None; Part-time co-op or playgroup; Part-time from 3; Full-time pre-K; Junior kindergarten in the school system. Evidence: experts disagree. Credible bodies or researchers disagree — decide whose guidance you'll weigh. Best settled: toddler.

- Area: Childcare and early learning
- Evidence: Experts disagree
- Best settled: Toddler
- First published: 2026-10-03
- Last updated: 2026-10-05
- Page: https://www.raisingyourchild.com/topics/childcare-and-early-learning--whether-and-when-to-do-preschool

## Whether and when to do preschool: what are the options?

1. **None**: The child does not attend preschool.
2. **Part-time co-op or playgroup**: The child attends a few sessions a week at a group run with parents.
3. **Part-time from 3**: The child attends part-time from age three.
4. **Full-time pre-K**: The child attends a full-day program the year before kindergarten.
5. **Junior kindergarten in the school system**: The child starts the public school's program at four.

## Whether and when to do preschool: what does the evidence say?

**Experts disagree.** Credible bodies or researchers disagree — decide whose guidance you'll weigh.

Boston's lottery study found an 8.3-point rise in on-time college enrollment; Tennessee's statewide trial found lower test scores by grade 6

Sources:

- [NBER](https://www.nber.org/papers/w28756)
- [ERIC](https://files.eric.ed.gov/fulltext/ED654975.pdf)

## What else is worth knowing?

Preschool is early education for three- and four-year-olds, offered in many forms. Good programs help children get ready for school, especially those with fewer resources at home. Whether and when to start depends on your child and your childcare.

## Questions to ask each other

- Do we want our child to go to preschool, and why?
- How many days and how long?
- What are we hoping our child gets from it?

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General information, not medical advice. Two parents can each answer this and compare: https://www.raisingyourchild.com/explore?cat=childcare-and-early-learning&topic=childcare-and-early-learning--whether-and-when-to-do-preschool