Is it too much to send my 2 yr old to school 5 mornings a week?

[Anonymous]

My child will be 2 in August. I have found a school that will only take him
5 mornings. Is that too much?

[Anonymous]

not in my opinion

[Anonymous]

In my opinion, the quality of the care is more important than the number of hours. Five mornings in a nurturing, loving environment is not too much, two mornings in an uncaring, non-age-appropriate environment is too much.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:In my opinion, the quality of the care is more important than the number of hours. Five mornings in a nurturing, loving environment is not too much, two mornings in an uncaring, non-age-appropriate environment is too much.

Very true.

OP - I sent my first to nursery school for 2 or 3 afternoons a week (can't remember) at the age of 2 & 1/2. Very soon after starting, I realized she could take a lot more and that a regular routine would have been easier (i.e., that every week day would have been easier than every other). My second is 2 & 1/4 and will be starting 5 days 9am-3pm (including nap) this September. I have no doubt he will love it.

[Anonymous]

Of course not. Some kids are in school/daycare 5 days a week from 12 weeks on. Some kids don't start school until Kindergarten. You do what you and your family want/need. Don't let anyone tell you that is not a good choice- they don't know your family. Do what works for YOU!

[Anonymous]

Doesn't it depend on the child?

[Anonymous]

I believe consistency is best. If you can afford it, I would do 5 mornings. The more they go the more they love it. My son started at 2 days, and by November he wanted more. The director said that often happens, but they didn't have openings so I had to wait until the following year for 5 mornings.

[Anonymous]

I agree. 5 mornings is the most effective.

[Anonymous]

5 mornings makes it a routine for them and is sometimes easier than 2 or 3 mornings. a friend of mine who taught preschool said the 5 morning kids were usually better adjusted than the 2 morning kids who had to "readjust" each day or week. i sent my son 5 days but did find that full days were alot for him at that age (he didn't nap long enough there and was always cranky)...i ended up cutting back to mornings from full day. at 3 or 3.5 he was fine with full-days. i think it depends on the kid.

[Anonymous]

I think you should follow this rule. 2 days for Two yrs.
3days for three years.
and five for 4 yrs. It just makes sense.

[Anonymous]

Yes, I think it is too much UNLESS you have no other choice (meaning you are using it as daycare while you work). But if you are a SAHM, it is too much at that age. I agree w/ the PP about 2 days for a 2 yr old is a good start.

[Anonymous]

Um, my DD has been in full day daycare since she was 13 weeks old and loves it. No, I don't think 5 half days for a 2 year old is too much.

[Anonymous]

9:34 here - should mention that her "daycare" is also preschool, so probably the same as what you're talking about. I don't think at that early age there's truly much difference (between a good "daycare" with a schedule and curriculum vs "preschool").

[Anonymous]

What are your other options here? Are you home with him now? Do you have other little ones at home that will benefit from some one on one attention while he spreads his wings at school? What kind of time will you have together once you account for his school schedule?

I wasn't comfortable with sending our DS 5 days last year (he was 2.75 at that time). I wanted some school -- with structure, friends, etc -- but I also wanted some time for him to play by himself, play with me and DD, go on adventures (park, zoo, library -- nothing nutty) and take a gym or music class. He's just the kind of kid who needs some time to himself. He went 3 days last year and will go 3 days this year, even though he could probably handle more now.

Only you know your kid. If it seems too much to you, it probably is.

[Anonymous]

It really depends on the kid. We are starting our 2.5 year old in a 2 day program, but I think she would have been fine with a 5 day program. She does very well in a structured environment. Give it a shot and hopefully you have the ability to cut back on the days if it isn't working out.