Preschool hours?

[Anonymous]

I am not sure if I am being crazy on this topic but here goes. I am just now looking into preschools and am seeing times that encompass 4 hours. Since I am primarily SAHM I don't need daycare options so this seems long to me? Is this just the way life is now? Again, I completely understand if someone needs the extra time for work and or for sanity time apart from little person. but..is this really necessary if you are just looking for an educational activity to get ready for the real school years. Any advice would be great including parents who were scared and thought it was right decision as well as parents who thought it was too much so that I have some balance on this topic.

Thank you

[Anonymous]

How old is your child, and how many days are you looking at?

[Anonymous]

Our preschool offers options ranging from 3 hours per day to full-time care. It you just want your child to have some group time, I think 3 hours is plenty.

[Anonymous]

Sorry--dd this would be for a 3 1/2 year old who would turn 4 by the end of the school year. Thanks for all the advice-I am so new to this and the whole school thing stresses me out--I didn't go to anything before kindegarten but I think DC has better educational options than where I grew up.

[Anonymous]

4 hours really flies for the kids. SOme 2-3 yo programs are 3 hours, but I think 4 is standard for the 3-4 range. If I were you, I would stick with a 4 hour program but only do it 2 or 3 days a week if you don't want it to cut into too much of your time together.

You could also just sign your child up for non-preschool classes - like zoo or music or art classes that take place once a week. Those are shorter time periods, and your child will learn a lot. However, they don't mimic the structure of a preschool with circle time, and they don't allow time for kids to build the close friendships and deal with the social issues of preschool.

With so many full day kindergartens, I think it helps kids to slowly ramp up to that.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:4 hours really flies for the kids. SOme 2-3 yo programs are 3 hours, but I think 4 is standard for the 3-4 range. If I were you, I would stick with a 4 hour program but only do it 2 or 3 days a week if you don't want it to cut into too much of your time together.

You could also just sign your child up for non-preschool classes - like zoo or music or art classes that take place once a week. Those are shorter time periods, and your child will learn a lot. However, they don't mimic the structure of a preschool with circle time, and they don't allow time for kids to build the close friendships and deal with the social issues of preschool.

With so many full day kindergartens, I think it helps kids to slowly ramp up to that.

I agree with this. My son is 3 and will be starting 2 days a week from 9:15-1:15 next week. I am not sure exactly how it will be structured, but I do know they go outside for 45 minutes a day and have lunch so both those activities will take up a good chunk of time. They also have music one day a week. I agree that it is good practice for the 5 day a week kindergarten schedule.

[Anonymous]

I saw preschools that were two and a half hours, which I find very awkward for pick-up/drop-off. We're starting next week, and it will be 3 1/2 hours (8:45-12:15). I think DD will love it, and I'm not concerned with the time frame at all.

[Anonymous]

It also depends a lot on your child's personality; my son was totally fatigued by his early preschool years (9-12, then 9-1) because he's a big introvert who needs a lot of Me Time and time to decompress.

However there are plenty of little kids out there who seem to thrive on being surrounded by 15+ other bustling kids for 8 or more hours every day.

What sort of kid do you have?

[Anonymous]

The preschool my DD attended last year (as a 3 year old and in another city) was from 9:00 to 1:00. Actually parents could drop off as early as 8:15 although we usually rolled in around 9:00. I thought it was the right amount of time frankly - they also ate lunch there.

This year preschool is from 9:30-12:00 for the month of September; 9:30-1:00 for the rest of the year (except Fridays are still 9:30-12:00). I swear these people want to spend as little time with my kid as possible. I know as a 4 year old she'd be fine to stay 4 hours again. I am not working right now so it doesn't matter but it seems strange that they have such short hours.

[Anonymous]

MY DD will be in a 4 hour program- she is 3- I am thrilled- it's only 2 days a week.. I pack her lunch and she eats with other kids. I am excited that she can see other kids eat other foods since she is so picky- plus preschools reinforce good eatiing habits (sit at table etc). 4 hours goes by so quickly- I personally think it's a great amount of time ..

[Anonymous]

Our preschool is 2 hours and 45 minutes - which I thought was a great amount of time. They're home for lunch and nap.