Q re logistics for preschools that offer only half days, etc., when parents work?

[Anonymous]

I don't even bother to look at half day preschools because it won't work for 2 working parents in my situation. I only look at daycare like 7am to 6pm.

[Anonymous]

This is OP. Thank you so much!! This is very helpful!

[Anonymous]

Preschool teacher here. In addition to the other options mentioned, ask the school if there are any licensed home daycare providers that pickup from the school. Ours has several.

[Anonymous]

It’s perfect for our youngest with a full time nanny. She still gets 35 hours plus we get enough total coverage.

[Anonymous]

It’s perfect if you have an au pair since the AP usually does language school in the AM.

[Anonymous]

Everyone is correct OP. These programs are not daycare or childcare. They are for “education” purposes with socialization being a direct result of kids being around each other. If you are looking for actual childcare, you have to find something else.

My kid is in a similar program. Full day is regular school type of hours from 8-3 or 9-3 and half time ends at noon. Even those full time hours are very hard for a household without stay at home parents or grandparents or nannies. You have to have a parent who can leave their job at 2:30 to go pick up or have a nanny do that. If not, then you have to pay for before care or after care, which cost a ton of money in private schools.

I can only work a part- time job at most because of the hours to do the drop off and pick ups. And even then it is a gamble because there are illnesses that spreads easily when kids are at that age. I do it because we love the school and I think the schedule is appropriate for my kid. I don’t want him to have to go to daycare for 10+ hours so I chose to deal with the inconveniences of a school calendar and schedule. So it depends on what your preferences are for your child and your family.

[Anonymous]

Ours ends at 3:30 and we have a lot of parents with super flexible jobs. Oftentimes one parent is some sort of self employed type. Also a lot of grandparents, many of whom volunteer.

[Anonymous]

My neighbors are retired and they pick up their granddaughter from the preschool down the street many days at 3. My aunt also picks up my cousin’s kids at that preschool.