When schooling started to become common, most children started with the first grade at the age of 6 or older. Eventually, going to kindergarten for a year before first grade became the accepted norm, and more recently preschool attendance by 3- and 4-year-olds became the standard. Still, no method of education is compulsory in the United States, so the decision of homeschool vs. preschool can be determined by each family.
Proponents of preschool believe that a major benefit for children is the ability to play together and learn social skills. They can also get used to different care-givers and a classroom environment, and be exposed to opportunities that they might not have at home. In some cases, teachers are also trained to work closely with children who show developmental delays, which are often easier to correct the earlier they are detected. On the other hand, children who are ahead of the learning curve may also be ready to learn some academic skills, such as reading readiness, that they might not pick up at home.
There are also practical advantages for some families, especially if both parents need to work or a younger sibling requires a lot of attention.
Many homeschoolers believe that the benefits of being at home outweigh those of going to school. These benefits might include additional family bonding time, social interaction with people of different ages, real-world learning experiences, more adult attention per child, and greater flexibility to meet the individual needs of each child and family.
Some families also disagree with the teaching methods and curriculum of school, for religious, philosophical or practical reasons.
For parents who are considering homeschooling throughout childhood, the decision may relate to several factors, including which method of education they think will be most effective for their child, what types of schools are available in the area and whether the family has the resources to homeschool effectively.
For parents who are considering skipping preschool but intend to enroll their child in school eventually, the factors involved may include thoughts about their child's developmental level and whether they would like to spend more time together as a family before promoting increased independence.
In the homeschool vs. preschool debate, the different types of schools and homeschooling may also come into play. Some areas may offer public preschooling, particularly for children who are believed to be at risk academically. However, most preschools are private. Day care centers, churches and private elementary schools may offer preschool programs. Montessori and Waldorf preschools are also common.
Homeschooling options also vary widely, from public school curricula offered to homeschoolers, to independent religious and secular programs, alternative home education programs (again including Waldorf and Montessori methods), individual plans developed by parents and even the completely child-led, curriculum-free unschooling philosophy.