Adjustment to full day PK

[Anonymous]

One of our favorite schools only offers full day PK. Now, at age 3 DC is taking long naps every afternoon and a half day program is plenty. Will this change dramatically by next fall? What was the transition like for your children? (Even though we love the school with full day we are thinking about applying next year for K instead so that DC can have another year of half day.)

[Anonymous]

Apply for K if you can. My child would have been miserable in full day preK, was still transitioning to no nap at that time and needed alone and quite time after about 12:30pm. It is such a shame that so many school only offer full day preK, it is not developmentally appropriate for the majority of children and only really serves the needs of working parents and the school so that they can get more tuition. If you have the option give your child another relaxed year.

[Anonymous]

Do you mean you'll keep DC home one year and then apply for K? I'm in the same boat OP. I don't know what to do

[Anonymous]

I will add too that even if the full day program says they have quiet time for that age group, it is nothing like being at their own home for rest time. Take it one year at a time OP, do what is best for your child for this next year without worrying what will come next,as in don't put them in a full day program too soon just so they can be there for the following years.

[Anonymous]

Both of you should just wait and apply for K, BTDT

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Apply for K if you can. My child would have been miserable in full day preK, was still transitioning to no nap at that time and needed alone and quite time after about 12:30pm. It is such a shame that so many school only offer full day preK, it is not developmentally appropriate for the majority of children and only really serves the needs of working parents and the school so that they can get more tuition. If you have the option give your child another relaxed year.

What do you do for the in between year? Find a new preschool that offers part time for 1 year (meaning DC will go to new school for kindergarten)?

[Anonymous]

Yes, I am thinking of keeping DC home and continuing our current morning only program next year. This way DC has lunch at home with me every day and gets a good afternoon rest. Just the half day is very stimulating!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Apply for K if you can. My child would have been miserable in full day preK, was still transitioning to no nap at that time and needed alone and quite time after about 12:30pm. It is such a shame that so many school only offer full day preK, it is not developmentally appropriate for the majority of children and only really serves the needs of working parents and the school so that they can get more tuition. If you have the option give your child another relaxed year.

What do you do for the in between year? Find a new preschool that offers part time for 1 year (meaning DC will go to new school for kindergarten)?

I wrote the PP assuming you we're already at a half day program and that you could stay at the half day program for preK. Most preschools in the area that offer half day 3 yr old classes also offer half day 4 yr old classes.

[Anonymous]

OP again, fortunately we have the option to stick with the same nursery school mornings only at age four. The only vote for trying for PK now is to have the best shot at getting into our favorite school. I think that the advise to follow DC's needs and worry about admissions next year for K is right. I just wasn't sure if DC's needs as a four year old might be very different. Probably not! Also, I really enjoy having time together with DC. They are only little once!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP again, fortunately we have the option to stick with the same nursery school mornings only at age four. The only vote for trying for PK now is to have the best shot at getting into our favorite school. I think that the advise to follow DC's needs and worry about admissions next year for K is right. I just wasn't sure if DC's needs as a four year old might be very different. Probably not! Also, I really enjoy having time together with DC. They are only little once!

So true! Before you know it they will be off to K, enjoy every moment with them!

[Anonymous]

DC has a fall birthday and entered full-day pre-k shortly before her 5th birthday (after two years of morning pre-school). It was a big mistake. She came home exhausted and grumpy every day and I missed out on a year of pre-academic fun we could have had together.