Preschool: 4 or 5 day dilemma

MrsL1022

The priority registration form for next year came home today. I was looking at the options and the price difference between the 4 day (which we do now) and the 5 day pre-k program is $20 p/m. I am really torn on what I should do, given the arrival of the new baby in June. Would the 5 day program be better for C so that I he is not climbing the walls during nap times when we are stuck at home? The 5 day program will ensure that he gets out and has structured activity 5 days a week. On the other hand that means that I have to rally the troops 5 days a week and be out early, do I want to do that to myself with an infant? Part of me also feels like he has his whole life to go to school 5 days a week, but he does much better in a structured environment and as a result is much better at home with me in the afternoons. I am so torn on what to do. WWYD??

maykat

If it were me, I would do the 5 day preschool. Then if there is a day that you have a special activity planned, you could pull him out for the day--but you would have the option for 5 days if needed.

mingaling2

I would go for the 5 day, especially if he does better in a structured environment.  Like maykat said, you can always pull him out for special occasions.

 

MrsL1022

This is what I am thinking and lord knows that they have so many teacher days and other reasons not to have school so I may as well try to maximize the time. 

frlcb

Do 5 days. For $20 more a month it wouldn't even matter if some weeks he only went 4 days.

K&P414

Our preschool doesn't offer 5 day and every single Friday Tess has a mini flip out when she doesn't get to go to school but Emma does.  That said, I do enjoy having her home with me 1 day during the week.  I say that now because she's being all sweet and precious this morning, my work line isn't ringing off the hook, no emergency cheesecake emails, PTA meetings, etc...some Friday's are more hectic than this one is so far

Anyway, we've made it this far in the year and unless my work situation changes between now and next year we'll probably stay with the same school and do PreK4 which is still just Mon-Thurs from 9:00-1:00.

Will you be able to put the baby in 1 or 2 mornings a week so you have a kid free day to yourself?  If so, I would probably lean towards putting C in the 4 day program. Although for only $20 extra per month for the 5 day I might sign up for that class and give my self the green light to miss a day every now and then if we just weren't feeling it that day, you know?  Sorry, I know I'm no real help but that's all my rambling line of thinking!!

 

Daisy22

Bailey goes full days and Bryce will in January but only M,W,F. I love having 2 days at home with them so we can do stuff during the week. Mornings are the best time for my boys so I can't plan much in the afternoons b/c everyone is grumpy. Of course for only $20 more a month it might be worth it and then you can always pull him one day to go do soemthing different.

Oh and with the 2nd I wouldn't worry as much about nap time. Bryce took most of his naps in the sling or the stroller. We're pretty strict on nap and bedtime but with the 2nd I had to be more linent with the morning naps. Baiely goes a little crazy being couped up inside. And thankfully our babies will be born in June so it's a little easier to get them out and about with the warm weather.

hthomas02

5 days!

AugustaBride04

I would do 5 days a week.  Right now, H is going 3 days a week. I so wish I would have signed her up for 5. I would do it now, but she would have different teachers and different students in her class and she is attached to both - too late to change.  I'm telling you, school has been the best thing for her since A was born. It gives her structure/discipline  and social time and she freaking loves it. It's something just for her that she doesn't have to share with her baby sister, plus she gets to be with her friends.  The other 2 days of the week when she is home, she is bored and bouncing off the walls.(we don't take A out a ton bc she won't nap on the go and flu season) Our nanny and I come up with lots of activities to keep her busy and happy. With that said, I still she think she would rather be at school since she talks about it all the time. Just my 2 cents.

tracigator

Ditto everyone else on the 5 days!  B is in school 4 days a week now and next year, pre-k will be 5 days for him. We don't have an option for 4 days for pre-k at our school.  He's only there for half-days but I really do think that it will help prepare him for Kindergarten when he has to go 5 days a week for a longer period of time.  Plus, with Noah in school next year for 3 days instead of 2 days like he is now, Momma is looking forward to 3 mornings to herself. :-)

slwprincess

Hands down- 5 days.  My situation is different b/c they usually go to daycare a few days a week anyway.  But both of my kids go to to our church PMO while I telework a couple days a week.  It works wonders for them both to have that structured play/learning time in the mornings.  Then they come home and take a nap and our afternoons/evenings are WONDERFUL.  When Sophie was little, I tried keeping them home instead of PMO and it drove me insane.  All my time was spent trying to appease each one and logging in for brief periods and then I would feel behind at work so when DH got home I had to log in some more and I was I was so tired and scattered and neither kids was napping well at all.  As soon as we started PMO, our routine clicked and I really began to love my telework days.  The drop off/pick up thing is not an issue for me at all but maybe thats b/c I'm so used to daycare that I don't even think twice about it.  So yeah, I'd definitely do 5 days if it's financially possible.

MrsL1022

Thanks ladies! I was leaning towards 5 days but feeling a little guilty about it. I think he needs it and I think that after 2.5 months home with me and the new baby he will be RUNNING to school. I also would like the time with the baby. The fact that it's only an extra $20 p/m seals the deal too. It's not like I get dressed for carpool anyway lol! 

UGAbride

Yep, 5 days!!  Our school does not offer a 5 day program ever (they are closed on Fridays, even for Pre-K), so this year Jack goes 4 days and Ethan goes 3.  Man, on Tuesdays when Ethan is home with me and L, he is climbing the walls and driving me CRAZY.  He misses Jack, so he's bored, and we have to be home so L can get her morning nap.  I so wanted to at least sign him up for a sports class on Tuesdays (I would have let her skip nap for that), but it kept getting cancelled due to low enrollment.  I agree our whole day goes better when they have the structure in the mornings, you would be hating life on that one day he doesn't go, knowing he could have gone, kwim? 

Melliebugs

4 days! I treasure my time with Maggie! She has so many years to go 5 days that I chose 4 days. Also when I first was putting Kate in school a Dr. gave me this advice...however old they are that is how many days they go. This way when they are 5 they go to Kindergarten! Obviously when I worked I had no choice, but put her in a 5 day program, but I love love that this year she is with me on Mondays!