preschool drop off...whats the norm in your area?

amberdl28

DS is in 3 year old preschool 2 days a week this year. We park and walk him in, sign him in and watch him walk into his classroom. We also go in to sign and pick him up after class.

We are more then likely relocating to NC this summer and am looking up preschools for fall when he will be in the 4 year old class. Every school I've called says they have carpool drop off and/or pickup. You drive up, the teacher opens the door, kid gets out and the teacher brings them into the building and to class 

I don't know why this bugs me. I like the idea of seeing him get to his class and know he in there. I am crazy right? What is it like at your preschool? This is no big deal right. The year after he will be in K and probably riding the bus so I better get use to letting go more.

Also one preschool has a rest time. They are there for 3.5 hours 3 days a week. Why is there a rest time? Weird or no?

Kitten80

I've never heard of a drop off like that - and while I could see some benefits (ie no younger siblings getting out), I don't think I would like it.  As for the rest time - are some kids full time?  If so, it is possible the rest time is built in for them, although I would probably not be thrilled to be paying for rest time when my kid is only there part time.

lite-bright

Ours is like yours. Except for the preschoolers who ride the bus (and there are some); they get walked in from the bus by a teacher. 

I think it changes with kindergarten, but I haven't asked about the details yet. Parking is a big issue at our school, they actually moved preschool start time up 30 minutes this year (from 8:30 to 8 a.m.) in order to cut down on the overlap between preschool parents (who have to park and walk kids in) and the rest of the school arriving all at the same time. 

BeachBum73

We had a hybrid carpool when my dd was in preschool.  It was a carpool drop-off but everyone got their kids out and walked them to the gym door where there were teachers waiting.  My dd could never get out of her car seat alone at that age so I had to do it.

ETA: Regarding the rest time - how do they describe it?  Sleeping or just being quiet?  I can't remember if my dd had rest time or not but I know they had reading time so I suppose that could be considered rest time.

JessiRaye

Our preschool just started a drop off this year. It was mainly to accommodate those with more than one child so they don't have to take multiple kids inside. But all are welcome to use the drop off. Our drop off is from 845 to 900 so after 9 you must walk them inside. I actually like it, but sometimes walk him inside anyway.

hmp1

I would have paid extra for that service while on maternity leave. And really, most days pick ups would be great like this. I do like walking them in to school because ours does a family breakfast every morning. I don't want to miss out on my eggs and sausage.

Do they give you the option to still park and walk him in? Perhaps the drop off is just an added bonus for some families but you don't have to do it. 

3.5 hours with a nap time is weird, yes. 

teacherjulie

My daughters set up is similar to the one you have now, however, the school does meet her inhome daycare provider outside to make it easier as she has a baby in the car.  So the speech teacher meets daycare van outside and then at the end puts her back in the van difference is in her clas there are only 5 kids so no big line and the daycare provider buckles Alice inot her seat.  When I worked oin NJ it was the car pool lane.  We took the kids out and put them in. 

As a parent who does not do drop offs due to my schedule I prefer walk my child in and make sure she is ok. I understand why some schools do not do this.