Need Pre-K Advice

Hello. My only experience is with full-time pre-school. My daughter just finisher her first year in pre-school. She goes full time and LOVES it. She loves her friends and the teachers. My first sight of the school made me reluctant to look at it for fear that it was too heavily into academics, then I checked it out on the inside. Yes, her school does have some academics - she can count in English and Spanish and sing in both languages as well, but she is also thoroughly exhausted in the evenings because she has played so hard.

I know my daughter is in out of necessity, but I have found that it is great for her - she loves to play with other kids and she has learned a lot.

I never thought I would send her to pre-school - just keep her in an in-home daycare, but it fits her personality so well. I guess that is the direction to look - what is your son's personality - is he independent? strong desire to play with others? need more activity than you can think to give?

One other great point - My weekends with my daughter are fantastic! I find I have so much more patience with her because we have not been together 24/7. She is more snuggly and we play. I have found a great balance.

Good luck.

Both of my boys (now ages 10 and 6) attended a 3 day Pre-K program that was just half days and occasionally stayed for the extended care. They both transitioned well into Kindergarten. I think it just depends on your child and how well he deals with routines and transitions. I had the option of putting my sons in 5 days, but I figured that they were going to be in school for the next 13+ years, that they really didn't need the extra preschool time. It was nice to have a couple of days when we could do other things, like play dates, go on outings and just do our own things at home. Good luck on your decision.

My daughter went two full days in preschool, 3 full days in pre-k and is now in her 4th week of kindergarten and doing very well. Mind you, she has been at the same school since preschool. I do notice that the kids who go 5 days a week seemed to have had less trouble saying goodbye to Mom/Dad, that's not to say they didn't go through a rough time but I did notice a difference.

I wouldn't change a thing in my situation. I didn't want my daughter in school 5 days a week. I would say she transitioned very well, the first couple of weeks, she didn't want to grow up! or be in Kindergarten! (-: But now, that is all that she talks about.

You know your child best. I think he is lucky to have grandparents who can watch him two days a week. If that arrangement is working then I'd stick with it. No matter what you do, the beginning of kindergarten could be rough, but that is normal.

M.

My daughter had a rough transition into preschool. She was supposed to go 3 days. The school reccomended 5 days for the consistency.I guess going and then not going and back and forth was confusing. I went that 1st yr (she was 3) every day for 6 weeks and then she just got it. When pre k came she went 5 days 9-2:45. Some days she wanted to stay for late day. She LOVED it that much! So although at first she had a rough transition, the next year was a piece of cake. In Sept she will go upstairs to the day school (grades K-6) and the day starts at 8am. I don't know how I'm going to get her up.Anyways, that's all I've got. hope it helps in some way. Best, H.

Hi A.!
I am a mom to 3 and a Kindergarten teacher. As a parent, I can tell you that my youngest in particular had a hard time with the on-again, off-again routine of 3 day a week pre-school. She attended M, W, F. I felt it would have been easier for her to attend on three consecutive days. In fact, it almost made the transition to kinder easier because she liked the routine nature of attending every day.As a kinder teacher, the best indicator of a successful experience will be how you approach it with your child. Remember that academic readiness is not nearly as big a factor as maturity. We can teach academics, we cannot teach maturity. Whether your child attends pre-school for 3 days a week or 5 days a week, it is important that the experience be a positive one in which he learns the basics of operating in a school environment and interacting with other children in appropriate ways. I hope this helps!

I work at a preschool as well. Go for 3 1/2 days. Kindergarten is usually a 1/2 day program as well. A full day is a lot longer and tougher on kids than a half day. I notice a great difference in the behavior of kids who are there all day, everyday, than those who attend part time. Kids need that time at home with their family as you mentioned. Kids have a long time to be in school. Let him relax while he has the chance.
Getting your child ready for kindergarten is not the sole responsibility of preschool, make sure you are involved as well. Check with your school to see what they require for kindergarten so you and the preschool can work together.

As a preschool director/teacher I encourage days at home. If you do not HAVE to do 5 full days, then please don't. Days at home with family are so much more important. There are so many factors in difficulty with separation as well as kindergarten readiness. I have seen countless students graduate pre-k with a part time schedule and transition beautifully. It is not a 5 day a week schedule that prepares students for the transition to kindergarten, but SO many different elements. If you would like more information or have other questions, please feel free to contact me.