Very well said bn1967! You're right, even the 5K programs are very play based.... Of all of my kids, I've never had any of the say they DIDN'T want to go to Kindergarten. And they are NOT bringing home homework at that young age.... You want to talk about injustice, how about my first and second graders having approx an hour to an hour and a half's worth of homework EVERY night?? And because they have a youth group through their church on Wednesday's, making homework impossible that night, they have to double up on Tuesdays! Now THAT is ridiculous! Yes let kids be kids.... they work hard, learning all day, and when they get home they are craving that parental bonding time, and they are tired, and those little ones get stressed too with friend squabbles and social pressures that are put on them already at that young of an age. So by the time they sit down to complete this homework, they're trying to whip through it just to get it done and HAVE some time to relax that night, and I don't blame them! As a student myself I know what its like to work a full day, take care of a family all night including helping with grade school homework, and then buckle down for 2-3 hours of college level homework, and I know how much I hate it. I often wonder how much my kids are really learning by the time we do homework at night, once they are burned out! Maybe we should be addressing THIS issue rather than sending our 4K'ers to school to play for a few hours! Sheesh!

I am a single mother and also a 4K teacher. When my daughter was 4 I was so happy that Clinton offered 4K; I could not afford to put her in a private preschool program and keep her with the babysitter that lived in another school district. I DONT drive a new vehicle, I rent and barely have enough to make ends meet some months and my ex-husband wasn't paying child support (thanks to Rock County Child Support NOT enforcing my court order). My little girl NEVER brought home worksheets or complained about school being hard. It was very "play based" but she learned her basics needed for 5K. As a teacher who had taught 5K for years I KNEW what she needed to succeed in school and she was prepared but I was her MAMA and although we played together, read together and spent all our out of school time together she needed to be around children her own age and learn "school stuff" from a teacher. I was THRILLED to move down to 4K! My philosophy is that that we make school and learning fun. I give them the academic basics (learn the colors, shapes, numbers, counting, listening to stories, introduce the letters/sounds of the alphabet...) and offer them the opportunity to play and socialize with others their age. We aren't living in a perfect world where every parent can stay home with their children and teach them the things they need to get a "jump start" on education. Many of the children I teach do not know COLORS when they come to school or have never been read to. Some parents don't have the skills, tools or knowledge to work with their children; that is why being in school is beneficial to those children. For those who come in to school knowing more we differentiate for them and offer them higher level learning in smaller groups. I'll be the first one to say "but they are only 4!" but somewhere through the years the expectations of each grade has become higher. When I was hired to teach 5K I was expected to teach my students what I am now doing with my 4's. NOT my choice, NOT my principals choice; maybe NO CHILD LEFT BEHIND pushing our children to learn more??? 4K puts all children (and not just those who have the chance to go to a private preschool) at an advantage for early learning and for developing strong social skills.

ladulce, good for you, if you're ok with it, who's to say any different? You must be wonder woman to scrape by on the pittance of funds you have to work with. I however, doubt highly, that you are pulling this off without some kind of state assistance. That said, you should be thanking ME for allowing you to stay home with four kids. Just my opinion, of course...

prinny68, good for you to be able to work full time, attend school and raise 3 kids without assistance.

The comment that 2 incomes is just for the frivolities of life. Give me a break! I've always had two incomes and we never had a brand new vehicle, we only went on maybe 3 family vacations over 20 years, and my girls did NOT wear designer clothes. In fact, I told them if they needed the label, we could go to goodwill, by some used clothes and they could sew the designer labels on to their new Kmart clothes! And I bet the girls can count on their hands, the number of times we went out to a fancy restaurant for dinner. I bought groceries according to a menu which I followed pretty tightly.

We were the working class. My first husband was blue collar... I was also blue collar working in print shops. He didn't make enough for me to stay home. So, before assuming that "extra" paycheck buys toys, walk a mile in others' shoes.

I think I did an ok job raising my daughters. They understood the value of a dollar, they were not spoiled, we were not rich... we just tried to maintain.

I understand the families with parents who feel their children are exceptional, maybe they are... maybe they want to get (buy) a better education for their children. More power to them, but they are not the majority.
Most all of us struggle daily to pay our bills, and still be able to try to tuck a tiny bit away for retirement.

I will not for a second buy it when someone says that they have $200 per month after their rent and bills to feed 3 children and get them everything they need for a month. I don't care how many casseroles you are eating, that is just NOT humanly possible. I know, as a single mother of three children who DOES accept daycare assistance from the county to help with the cost of before and after care for my two schoolagers, and full day care for my 4-year old. If I didn't have a WONDERFUL daycare that provided a loving atmosphere, I would CERTAINLY enroll my 4 year old in the P4J or 4K program. But I work full-time, go to school and take care of my children and my own bills.... I don't receive rent assistance, or food stamps or any of that. So which of you tax payers would prefer that I stay home with my kids, not work, collect food stamps, rent assistance, and welfare, off of YOUR tax dollars without even a hope of being able to one day support myself without assistance because I've shot my work history? Would you prefer that? How good does a resume look with a 5 year gap in employement(could be longer depending on how far spread out you had kids, if you stayed home with all of them!)? When I finally got back to work, all that would hire me would be fast food if I'm lucky, and then I'd STILL need the assistance to help out where I wouldn't make enough! Get real! This is the real world people, not a fantasy land! One income BARELY helps for someone to scrape by with three kids!

I am raising three children, and with my youngest(4) about to go to kindergarten in another year, I thank god that I opted for a structured center(daycare) to send my children to, as with my oldest two, on their first days of Kindergarten, I was NOT one of those parents that had a kid that refused to let go of their leg when school started. They were each sure and confident of themselves, excited for the first day and all of the new friends they would meet. Their daycare experience was a great social introduction to school-life, and it greatly prepared them for what it's like to be in an environment without Mom.... Not to mention their social skills were already above others in their class and they were able to walk up to new friends and introduce themselves, as KINDERGARTNERS!!! Explain that one! So as some may look at the 4K as robbing our children of their childhood, you have to remember, it's not like we're throwing them into a sweatshop and making them work at 4! They are interacting, learning and PLAYING with other kids! They still get nap-time, snacks, and great development tools! God forbid they actually have a little bit of fun OUTSIDE of mommy's wing!

Carry on Milton! Evansville administrators have been trying for 5 years to convince the community that we need 4K here as well. And it is to rake in those tax dollars. We went to full day kindergarten in 2002 for the same reason, keeping one lone section of half-day kindergarten (the sea of sanity) for the students and parents who need this experience. As a result, our elementary school is facing overcrowding, our kindergarten teacher salary and benefits have doubled but by God, we get to count those kids as full students one year earlier for the almighty tax dollar.

If the state would simply do some studies to prove the improved outcome of 4K, people would have a better time swallowing the bitter pill. It's not as if the data aren't there. Milwaukee has has 4K for over 20 years and we all know how successful that district is. Any studies they do present are often flawed, lacking reasonable controls and any semblance of a scientific approach. On the other hand, there have been several studies done which show any superior academic performance of 4K students disappears by the end of 1st grade. The improvement is not sustainable.

While they try to force 4K onto an uncooperative community, Headstart has discontinued local programming in Evansville due to financial crunch this year. Where do they expect to get 4K money? Those who qualify for Headstart are the students who need to be targeted for preschool. The idea that since a few (10-20%) people are too poor to provide preschool for their children that we must provide preschool for EVERYONE is ludicrous. Spending more money to get more money for 4K is a circular, specious argument. For every dollar you get from the state for 4K, local taxes must provide 50 cents of matching funds. Instead of universal 4K, identify those most in need and provide preschool for them. Expect everyone else to pull their own weight.

All the assumptions from people who have NO CLUE!

Babysitting- LOL! It is amazing how much good teachers can teach 4 year olds. From appropriate social skills to more academic skills the progress and preparations done by trained teachers - NOT BABYSITTERS is amazing. Kidergarten teachers can easily see a difference between children who have been in pre-schools versus home daycares versus home with a parent. I am not criticizing any of these other options but 4k does a better job.

4K is a valuable asset for our children and if Milton wants to keep up with the other districts it better wake-up. Milton needs to invest in a program for 4 year olds. Falling behind shouldn't be an option for the PRESIDENT of the MILTON SCHOOL BOARD!

Listen, I do think it's nothing but daycare for free! I had 3 children and 1 income. I sacrificed all the luxuries as in 2 suv's and the biggest house on the block and the best furniture money could buy(sarcasm) to stay home with my kids! I loved and cared for them and no one else was good enough to do MY job. I'm not cutting on the teachers, just the parents who use this for free daycare and believe me alot of them DO!!!! I have to pay taxes in this city so that gives me the right to have a say. most of these families live off the system and don't own a house therefore they don't have to pay for it. Hence: free daycare! Take responsiblity for your own raising of your children, they are a blessing and you miss out on so much when you hand them over earlier and earlier to some stranger!!

Sorry, my previous post should have read, "I can guarantee the ones complaining on here about having to support education would be the same ones complaining about the reports showing American schools are lagging behind other countries."

As a result of all the complaining about the poor public school system, and high taxes, NCLB was created. If districts aren't making the grade, they are financially punished. So why not get students in as soon as possible in order to "prepare them for the test" as soon as possible?! Thus P4J. If we didn't have P4J, I can guarantee the same ones posting on here about supporting education would be the ones complaining about the reports showing American schools are lagging behind other countries. Isn't it ironic?!

Single parents excluded (who obviously DO have to carry the burden of being the only parent), MOST parents are working 2 jobs to provide for "luxuries" IMO. If one parent is at home, you can do with only one car (one less car payment), we don't NEED cable or internet, or dinners out, or, vacations. Children can SHARE bedrooms and can use hand-me-down clothes. Rummage sales, Aldis, and, the library in exchange for time with your kids.. On parents' job can secure health care insurance, and, pay a modest mortgage, put food on the table. In my opinion, I will sacrifice those luxuries to be at home with my small people until they are in school. And, not that you asked, but, here is my story: divorced- income dropped from 87K annually (yes, fortunate) to $19K annually (child support). I have 4 young children- under 11. Culture shock, yes! But, I am determined to make it with what I have, and, not to have to put my people into child care. So, I work odd hours, and, sell on ebay and do whatever else I have to do to sacrifice. My kids? Vacations, high-end clothing, birthday parties, Gone. They are doing fine. We enjoy more family time, rent books and movies from the library, paint together, and, enjoy the time we have. They are little such a short time. I have the next 40 years of my life to get a better house, take a vacation, etc. After paying my mortgage and electric, I am left with around $200 a month for groceries, gas, clothing, and, all of the things the kids need. NOt easy, but, doable. Casseroles are a God send, and, coupons and sales make it a possibility. It is not worth leaving them with strangers. Just my honest opinion.

For what does it profit a man to gain the whole world and lose his own soul? (or worse, that of their child)

"I pay for my daughter"
nuff said

ok... I understand the stance on keeping our wee ones as is, to let them BE a child and play, to not be institutionalized. I was fortunate to be home for most of the years my girls were under 4 to 5 years old. Here's the problem Most young families can not live on one income. If you can, quit yer beeochin... and enjoy staying home with your little ones. We all envy you.

For all of us in the real world... a single mother of 3 - certainly has no choice as to whether to work or stay home... Oh wait a minute... there are those who choose to live off the state and MY tax dollars to be who ever's baby momma and rake in the bennies...

However, like my daughter who is trying to NOT be a drain on society with real family values, she is a single Mom (was married, the jerk preferred his video games over work...) She is gainfully employed in an office environment, making very good money, is going to college full time on top of that, and is also facing hip replacement surgeries (both hips) for a birth defect and also has "chronic muscle wasting disease"...

So you tell me... How can we pigeonhole all parents as this being a choice for the youngest? Most (and I mean MOST) families will not make it on one income. Two incomes can be a stretch. If we are anything below upper income, we can't survive without two working parents.

Must be nice to be able to have the option as to whether Mom wants a few hours a week to go to the gym or spa, so put the 4 year old in 4K...

For most parents, its not an option. Good grief!

My grandbabies have been with Kindercare since they were born, for the most part. I have nothing but praises for this center. They truly gear to each age... the children are not FORCED to do anything. The staff are patient and as far as I am concerned from what I've seen, they are exceptional. 4K is simply offering the children an opportunity to be exposed to learning.

No one is going to RIP your children from your arms and FORCE you to put your children ANYWHERE! As far as the tax base being affected... well of course it will be. I've been childless for nearly 8 years. So should I just deduct school appropriations from my taxes every April 15th? Seriously? What could possibly be a better tax expenditure than the education of the next generation?

FYI: Before enrolling my son, I toured EVERY SINGLE place that was offering P4J. EVERY ONE. I believe there were around 30. I asked questions of the teachers, regarding their qualifications, philosophies, and policies. There were 3- ONLY 3- that I would allow my son to attend. I made notes about them all. Some were down right scary, most just mediocre. Either way, I told everyone I work with- he will stay at home if he didn't get into my 2 favorite. Luckily, he did, if he had not, he would not go. The others are just like day cares. Sorry- but it is true. And, I worked in a daycare, and, ran an in-home child care center for several years. They are very different than a preschool like Goelzers or Hand in Hand. Sorry, but it is true...

WOW... I am shocked by some of these comments! All of you... go sit in on a class and see what it is about before you decide what is best for these kids! These blogs are turning into a joke

4k = State funded educational day care. To tax or not to tax? I'm all for helping single parents and working parents. If you don't have friends or family you pay out the nose for day care. I know this from experience. So if your going to implement 4k why not go all the way down to 3months-4k? Why discriminate what age learning begins? Somebody has too pay and I'm willing to bet a lot of childless tax payers don't want to foot the bill.

I have to say, in reading this, there seems little reason to do it except everyone else is doing it. I'm all for each community, deciding what's best for it, and in this case, it seems like there's good reason not to have this pre-kindergarten. When will the institutionalized treatment of kids end?

Anyone who says 4K is nothing more than daycare must not have kids. My 4 year old son attends at Jackson. If you have doubt then go sit in on a class. I have seen the results. I think it is wonderfull that this district offers such a service. Even when my son was in daycare it was also more than a babysitter. Babysitters are the teenage girls who watch your kids while you and your wife go out for dinner and maybe a movie. Get a clue.

When people start talking about 4k as a babysitting service that is ridiculous. I am a stay at home mom and my 4 year old enjoys going to preschool. I chose to put him in a traditional preschool program 3 days a week. He enjoys going and the socialization for him is great. With what kids are taught in kindergarten why not give them a head start with 4k. Now that my child is in school and loves it I would have no problem sending him four days a week. As a stay at home mom I don't look at it as babysitting. It does give me a break for a few hours a few days a week. It doesn't mean I don't care or don't love my child. I put him in preschool because I want what is best for him. Education is very important.

4K primarily benefits lower-income families who cannot afford the better day-care programs. Studies have shown that 4K kids come to kindergarten better prepared and have better educational outcomes including high school graduation rates and lifelong earnings. Thus it maximizes the effectiveness of tax dollars already spent on education.

I have twin girls and I sent mine to 4k. I am a parent who also says let children be children, but I felt my twins needed school for the socialization. They learn how to play and "handle" situations in 4k. It's not like it's a whole day of learning to read and write. The teacher they had was excellent. It was 2 !/2 hours a day for 4 days. I was a stay at home mom, so it wasn't used as a free babysitter for me. My girls are now in kindergarten, in seperate classes learning to be individuals instead of "the twins".

Being a daycare provider it really bothers me when people say that their children NEED to attend a preschool to "learn anything". Yes, preschools are nice but not all daycares are just "babysitters". My daycare offers a play based learning environment and I have never had a child who attended my daycare start school without knowing the appropriate material for their age. They also learn social interaction skills just like preschool. So please don't assume all daycares are babysitters..... I NEVER sit on babies.

I pay for my daughter to attend Janesville's 4 yr old program. I live on NE side of Janesville in the Milton school district. (I don't qualify for free admission) I attend school myself while she is there. I just wanted to let the naysayers know that these classes are not an atmosphere of babysitting. My daughter has learned so much, and when school isn't in session, she wants to go anyway. My Milton school district daughter now has a competitive edge on all the other future Milton K students. Milton leaders, be leaders! Find a way to get this going in your town.

It all depends on the child, some are more advanced than others so what is good for the goose is not always good for the gander. I believe the class should be offered and there should be some sort of screening process to determine who is ready and who is not.

4K isn't about baby sitting, it is about bringing $ into the district. By adding 4k programs the district increases their enrollment and, subsequently, their state aid. Since many 4K classes meet at day care centers for only a small fraction of the hours per week of regular classes, these students provide full benefits for the districts at a fraction of the cost.

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Yes, there are children who will benefit from a 4k program, but how long until this goes from "voluntary" to "mandatory" (Remember half-day Kindergarten)? There are also plenty of kids who currently stay at home and do quite well when they come to school at age 5.

Nope- it may be something that these districts have to offer so they can "compete" for students, but the "increased achievement" reason is just another red herring. It is about the money.

No problem with both parents working. And I am sure many can appreciate the need to have both parents working BUT that does not mean the burden should shift to the general taxpayer to pick up the bill! Those that make prudent choices on how they spend their money or whether or not to have more children make those choices based on what they can afford. If a parent can stay home then more power to them. But don't take that option away by making those stay at home parents now have to go to work so they can afford the increase in their taxes to pay for the 4 year olds that are now enrolled in public school.

Both parents working is to pay for luxury items? You have got to be kidding!! In today's economic times it is rare to have only one parent working. More power to you if you can afford to only have one spouse work while the other can stay home with the kids.

I think that a lot of the time the second parent works to help make ends meet. I know if they do have kids in a pre-school, most of what they earn goes towards that. But it also allows the kids some social interaction and helps them learn how to deal with other people. I think it would be great if everyone could afford to have only one spouse work and the other could stay home with the kids. But I also think that the 4K program is a good idea for those who do have to work. Why not let the kids get a head start on doing some basic things, like learning to write their name. I think it would give them more confidence going into a regular school setting.

Basic economics say that the general taxpayer should not have to shoulder the burden of putting 4 year olds in school. If parents are working and need daycare or babysitting then parents pay for it not the taxpayer! As for added educational value.......really, 4 year olds.. what about the added value of being a kid and just learning to play. We push kids so hard and so young that they are stressed out and over anxious and don't know how to be kids. Let them be kids!!!!!

I agree that parents are the best teachers for children and should, if able, take care of their children. However, the economically advantaged have always put their children in to competitive preschool programs so that they have a competitive edge in kindergarten (already knowing letters, numbers, how to write name, etc). This allows the kids to focus on social aspects of kindergarten, and, puts them at an advantage to peers.

That being said, since preschool is now available to all area 4 year olds, the competitive parents are now enrolling 3 year olds to get the "head start" on their 4 year old peers. This is ridiculous, in my opinion. It just keeps getting younger!

Lastly, the preschool programs do a GREAT job (Goelzers, Hand in Hand), and, the kids really are learning stuff. My son came home yesterday talking about the stars and the different planets. He is writing his name now and doing excellent! I AM A PARENT THAT WAS AGAINST 4K, and, truthfully, still am on some level.

Children need their parents, and, FAR TOO MANY parents worry about a newer car or a bigger house and give their kids away so they can work. IT is heartbreaking and ridiculous, IMO. I understand there are some instances where parents have to work, but, that isn't usually the case. It is paying for "luxuries", and, IMO, is the reason that society is where it is. Children aren't valued, and, grow up not to value others....

I agree with the babysitting concept! I have a person I know that put her child in just to get free babysitting for a few hours! I'm not saying the teachers are bad, I'm saying the parents use it for free babysitting. When did we stop keeping our kids at home with us and giving them over to anyone just " to get away from them"? If you have kids, raise them or don't have them! You are their best teacher for those early years.

I agree with the day care comment. Last time 4K was brought up, it was going to be voluntary for the kids to be there. That sounds like day care to me and I don't want to pay for someone else's day care.

Let's let the Moms and Dads do their job instead of passing of their kids to others to raise.

If the comment that it will help the district financially is true, then why do we have to pay any school taxes? More kids, more state aid? BTW, Who pays the state for the money it spends or does the state print it's own money?

Tom- I would have to disagree with you! I had a daughter in 4k in Clinton and she had one of the best teachers the district has! Take some time and go sit in a classroom for a day. You will be AMAZED at what they offer, and how the kids respond to the programming. It is a FAR cry from a full time day care!

Four year old kindergarten, is NOT "Education", it's called "Baby sitting".
Teachers are not paid to baby sit...