Has anyone sent their child to a private half-day K and then on to public school 1st grade?

Anonymous
My son is turning 5 this Spring but I don't think he will be ready for all-day public K. I've talked to K teachers at the school he would be going to as well as observed the classes. I think the long day, lots of transitions, etc etc would be too much for him to handle. We've loved our preschool but it doesn't have a K. Has anyone sent their child to a private half-day K (just for one year) and then sent them to their neighborhood public school for grade 1? I have started looking at preschools that offer a state licensed K program and think the half-day (some of them have 1 or 2 days where the kids stay a bit later than noon) would be a better bridge for him from his play based developmentally appropriate preschool to the highly academic ES near us.
Anonymous
I didn't do this but I sent my son to his daycare's kindergarten program, and then to public school this year. He is actually a summer birthday, so older than you child, but I felt that he would benefit from the smaller class size and the more comfortable environment. I'm glad I decided to do this. Maybe he would have been fine in public school, but he LOVED his daycare kindergarten and had a very positive experience, and started first grade full of confidence and excitement. I worried he might have trouble making friends but that was not a problem. I think if you are hesitant to send your child to public school, I would trust that instinct and give your child a year to mature in a less stressful environment.

If you are concerned about reading etc., you can work with your child at home.
Anonymous
OP here. Thanks for your insight. My son does well in his small classroom now but I've seen how he is when he is around lots of kids (seem stressed and anxious). I know the K classes at our local public school all have more than 20 students each this year. His preschool class has 8 kids. Does anyone else have any experience sending their kids to a private K program and then on to public 1st grade?
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