2day vs. 3day preschool for 3yearold?

Mrs.Greg

I just resigned from my job, my last day is Sept 28, and I am looking into preschools for DD1. I have found 2 that I really like, both have openings and said she can start in October. I'm having a hard time choosing because one offers 2 days per week and the other has a 3day minimum. DD1 currently goes to an inhome daycare. I'm just not sure which preschool option will be best for her. What did you ladies do with your 3yearold? TIA!

Court0026

We sent DS 2 days a week at 3.  His preschool recommends 3 days at 3 and 4 or 5 days at 4.  I considered sending him 4 this year, but honestly, I didn't want to have to do the commute, and I wanted more time with him before kindergarten.

Echowysp

We did 2 full-days a week.  If the program had been mornings only, I would've probably opted for 3 days.  Only reason we did 2 was cost.

jc&cat

we did 3 days/week morning session only when he was just 3 years old and are starting him at 4 days/week morning session this year. He'll be 4 in October. He really enjoyed the 3 days which were consecutive (sort of helps with the routine).

Angela814

I would do 3 days. Our school district's 4K program is 5 half days, so I'd want 3-4 days/week of preschool the year before.

ldcoffel

We do 3 days, 3 hours a day.

KL777

I vote for 2 days a week.  I was a SAHM until DS turned 3 but if I would've continued to be a SAHM and could have afforded to send him to preschool---it would've been 2 days per week at that age.

I then would recommend 3 days a week for Pre-Kindergarten (K4).

regenab

For us it came down to price. Since we were entering the twins in a 3 year old program and I am a SAHM we had to look at the cost of the program for 2 day vs. 3 day. I ended up putting them in the 2 day a week program because they didn't give that much of a discount for the second child (like 10% only). After starting the 2 day a week program, I realized they could have handled the 3 day a week program easily and I would have loved to have the third morning to myself to get things done (run errands by myself). But again it came down to cost, it would have been just too much to have them in the 3 morning program.

This year they are in the 5 morning a week program, but this is a free Pre-K program for every 4 year old in the state of FL. If we did not have this free program, I would have to figure out a way to make a 3 day a week program work, meaning in the budget. I feel they need at least a 3 day a week program at age 4 to prepare them for starting Kindergarten next year which is 5 days a week. Kindergarten is all day here in FL and it will be a big transition for them to go all day 5 days a week if they had not had at least 3 morning a week Pre-K.

lmdbww

DD went to 3-year preschool last year and it was 2 days a week for 2.5 hours each day.  She didn't previously go to daycare or spend much time with other kids so I think it was the perfect transition for her.

Does one have a better location than the other? Can you narrow it down some other way?

NerdyMama2

DS goes 5 days a week and so far he's loving it.

JoannaJes

I specifically chose a 2 morning a week program for DS to start this fall. He has not been in a preschool or daycare setting prior to this. Next year he will be attending 4 mornings a week. DD won't attend any preschool until she is close to 4.