Seeking Advice: Stay in French Daycare vs Switch to English?
My son just turned 14 months old and has not started talking yet. He is currently in a French only daycare in ON CA (not sure how we got in lol). My husband went through FI in elementary school. His French is at a B1/B2 level and he actively tries to maintain it by using Duolingo and speaking French to our son at home when he remembers. I speak English and do not know another language. Our community language is also English.
Our top choice daycare (English only) just offered us a spot starting next Monday. His playmates and my mom friends are already attending this daycare, so it’s a big draw for us. Plus we know the staff and we feel comfortable and confident about sending our kid there. We have until noon on Friday to decide whether to keep him in French daycare or make the switch.
If we stay in the French daycare, our plan is to keep him in the French board as long as possible. However, the board conducts a language assessment to determine if a child’s French is strong enough to continue with them after daycare. I also worry my husband’s French won't be fluent enough to manage school communications and schoolwork down the line.
If he isn't accepted into the French board, our backup plan is FI. In our board, FI doesn't start until Grade 1 (JK/SK are 100% English). Grade 1 and 2 then start at 100% French before the percentage gradually decreases in later grades.
We plan to give him as many French opportunities as possible whether we stay in the French daycare or switch to the English one - French EarlyON programs, story time with Dad, summer trips to Quebec, and me learning French from scratch. But we know there’s only so much exposure we can provide on our own.
Bilingualism is not necessary. We just want to keep this door open for him and give him the opportunity if he adjusts well.
Has anyone been in a similar situation? What would you do? Would love to hear your experiences and thoughts!
[Edit]
- Bilingualism is not necessary but strongly preferred if it’s realistic for him to achieve with our support. We will try our best to provide the environment, encourage using the language and learn the language ourselves.