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Toddlers: 24 Months+
XP: 2/3 day preschool, or 3/5 days?
XP - Hi! DS is only 2 right now but I am already starting to think about my pre-school options for next year (small town so you usually have to register a good amount in advance). There are two main schools I am considering. One meets on T/TH for 3 year olds, from I think either 8:30-10:30/11, then M/W/F for 4 year olds from 8:30-11/11:30. The other meets M/W/F from 8:15 to 11 for 3 year olds, then I think 8:30-11:30, 5 days a week, for 4 year olds. I have heard great things about both programs.
I am just torn though. DS already goes to a pre-preschool program at a MDO for 2 1/2 hours, one day a week and loves it. We are also in a lot of activities and always out somewhere. ALthough I think he would benefit from a longer school day (like 3 hours), I don't know what I think about him going to school five days a week when he is in the 4 year old program. Honestly, part of it is selfish, because I want to spend time with him and do things and take him places, and I feel like with not going to school every single day he will still have more time to do other things, like storytime, open gym, etc.
WDYT?
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Re: XP: 2/3 day preschool, or 3/5 days?
My kids' preschool is like one you describe: Threes go 2 hours 2 days/week. Fours have the option of going 3 or 5 days for 2.5 hours.
My DD (who is older and went to 1/2 day kindergarten) went to 2 day Threes, then 3 day Fours. It seemed to be a logical progression to do 2 half days, then 3 half days, then 5 half days.
By the time my DS came along, all kindergarten in my state is full day. Also, he has a late birthday. He did 2 day Threes, 5 day Fours, then 5 day Pre-K. He'll start kindergarten this coming year when he has just turned 6. Normally I would have gone with the 3 day a week Fours for him, knowing that he was probably going to have another year of preschool, but the school wanted him with a particular teacher he was really bonded to, so we did 5 days a week for 2 years.
I liked the 2 day a week program when my kids were 3. It's a good balance between being at home with Mommy, and having some structured time at school.
Honestly, I think it depends on the personality of your DS and your working schedule (if you work.....)
My DS is 2.5.......he currently goes to school 3 days a week. Mondays and Fridays he goes from 9-11:30am. Wednesdays he goes from 9a-2:!5p
Next year he will be going 5 days. Three "half" days (9-11:30am) and two "full" days (9a-2:15p).
He LOVES it. The structure is great, the socialization is great, etc.
I work full-time this year, but will be working part-time next year (hopefully....).
I think you have to do what fits your schedule.
I personally feel (as a teacher.....) that by 4, kids should be in school all 5 days in order to prep them for kindergarten.
Again, my DS thrives on schedules and routines and he is very outgoing, so school really works for us. Plus, with a new one at home, it will give me some alone time with the baby while my older DS is at school.....
GL!
I agree that it depends on the kid. Our DD is in preschool 3 days per week, full days, and thriving. I think it's important to go at least 3 days per week to really get the benefits. But, if you have a kid who hasn't been in any school type of format before, it makes sense to start w/ 2 days and then work your way up. I know that DD will most likely still be in the 3 day program for JK b/c it's not financially feasible for her to go 5 days (which would be ideal).
I don't see it as "prepping" for "real school" per say, but the kids just get so much out of going to preschool/jk. Socially, emotionally, intellectually- all around! I also say this as someone who taught kindergarten and coordinates an academic summer program for preK- grade 3 kids.