would you send a 4.5 year old to pre-K from 9am to 3pm every day?

[Anonymous]

Yes, we did and my kid loved it.

[Anonymous]

I personally wouldn't because to me it would be like daycare hours. Nothing wrong whatsoever with daycare but I'd either send my kid to a part time preschool or a daycare.

[Anonymous]

Is this a serious question? Your child is 4.5 and will be entering K next year, which is a full day. Of course he is ready for a 9-3 schedule. Otherwise, he will be one of these kids falling apart on the first day of K because he can't be away from him mommy and wants to be picked up after lunch.

[Anonymous]

Our children did full day and it worked out well, but for some kids it is too much.

[Anonymous]

I sent my 4 yo to pre k from 9-2 4 days a week 4 days - he usually came home and crashed for an hour. All of my kids were big nappers though. He needed it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I personally wouldn't because to me it would be like daycare hours. Nothing wrong whatsoever with daycare but I'd either send my kid to a part time preschool or a daycare.

Agree nothing wrong with daycare, pt preschool or whatever, but it is usually different in a Montessori school. There is typically a mixed age class of pres, prek & K. The prek and K do not nap after lunch and recess, they do a second work period, where more the teacher has less children (pres is napping)and can focus on more advanced lessons like reading. If your child is still napping, then you need to figure out if it is a good fit and talk with the teacher, some will let the prek rest a bit during that transition out of nap.

[Anonymous]

It's fine.

Signed,
Every parent w/ a 3 or 4 year old in DCPS.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:
And please realize that Kindergarten is 9 to 3:25 in Montgomery County now, starting at 5. Other counties have similar schedules.

If your child is 4.5, he should start acclimating at some point.

I am so tired of this theory- this is what has our education in such a sad state now! There is PLENTY of time to acclimate to this time... should the thought be well at K they have a long day, so lets to it at preschool 4+, so of course then we need to do it at age 3 too. Do what you think is right for your kids. My theory is they get PLENTY of time in school, don't committ to a long preschool to prep for K. That is a whole year of preschool! I vote less time however, if childcare and your family needs make it better to do full day, then do it! But don't do it b/c of a longer day in k!

Good lck.

[Anonymous]

Every private PreK we looked at (many of the top schools) were full day. PreK was the primary entry year for our PK-8 school, although some schools expand at K.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Is this a serious question? Your child is 4.5 and will be entering K next year, which is a full day. Of course he is ready for a 9-3 schedule. Otherwise, he will be one of these kids falling apart on the first day of K because he can't be away from him mommy and wants to be picked up after lunch.

No, not true. My kids did 2 yrs of preschool. First yr was 4 hrs, second was 4.5 hrs and they transitioned to full day in K just fine.

[Anonymous]

Yes, mine went to full day pre-K at that age and did fine.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
And please realize that Kindergarten is 9 to 3:25 in Montgomery County now, starting at 5. Other counties have similar schedules.

If your child is 4.5, he should start acclimating at some point.

I am so tired of this theory- this is what has our education in such a sad state now! There is PLENTY of time to acclimate to this time... should the thought be well at K they have a long day, so lets to it at preschool 4+, so of course then we need to do it at age 3 too. Do what you think is right for your kids. My theory is they get PLENTY of time in school, don't committ to a long preschool to prep for K. That is a whole year of preschool! I vote less time however, if childcare and your family needs make it better to do full day, then do it! But don't do it b/c of a longer day in k!

Good lck.

This child is almost 5 and would benefit from the structure and support of a more academic setting. My theory is you prepare kids properly and giving them that year before K. is beneficial as it makes for a much smoother transition. Its not a long prep. Its a normal school day. in other parts of the country this child would be in K. Our children are far behind other countries and our children are not as prepared. The only reason to keep a child home is due to your needs. I would love to keep my child home. I'm a SAHM and love love every moment with my child. But, I know its better he's in school.

[Anonymous]

well, they're going to have that schedule in kindergarten.

mine has been doing all day preschool - 830-515 - since 3.5. in the beginning, it's long days but she's adjusted fine.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It's fine.

Signed,
Every parent w/ a 3 or 4 year old in DCPS.

This. 80% of the kids I know are in all-day preschool plus aftercare at this age. They are fine.

[Anonymous]

Only if I had to for work scheduling reasons.