prk schools with more outdoor time?

[Anonymous]

It seems most if not all dcps schools only spend the minimum 30 minutes of playground time outside. I am trying to make a list of preschools & schools that allow kids to be outside more of their day. As a back up school that offer early pick up would be useful. I have found so far Breakthrough & SS have early pick up for prk3 only, not optional in prk4 On Breakthroughs website they list 2 hrs for lunch and outside time. Does an9yone know of other schools with more outside time?? We are seeking a program that aloes for more play, emontional and social skills growth, obviously more time outside and a bit less focus on academics & work sheets at 3 years old.

[Anonymous]

You won't find much early pickup because it is taxpayer funded full-day school, not private preschool. The early pickup is usually offered as a transition option for kids who are struggling at first. The city is paying the schools to have kids all day and if a school closed early, that would cause problems.

For long recess, add LAMB to your list.

Please remember that public PK3 and PK4 are optional in DC. You are not obligated to send your child.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:You won't find much early pickup because it is taxpayer funded full-day school, not private preschool. The early pickup is usually offered as a transition option for kids who are struggling at first. The city is paying the schools to have kids all day and if a school closed early, that would cause problems.

For long recess, add LAMB to your list.

Please remember that public PK3 and PK4 are optional in DC. You are not obligated to send your child.

Yep, we realize it is optional. Like many, many DC families in most cases private care is beyond our budget. The two schools I mentioned allow for early pick up for prk3 all year according to their websites &/or information at the open house. We do have LAMB on our list to check out of course it seems difficult to win a spot there.
I would give the argument forcing working class dc families that get priced out of good private care get forced into Full-time preschool. Why shouldn't families that all pay into the taxes be given a different options?? Like half day or a few days a week spot shared with another family or child. When full-time & inside all day isn't working for a kid.

[Anonymous]

Sorry for all those horrible typos and spelling errors. Posting from my phone before coffee isn't working today!

[Anonymous]

Tyler has more outdoor time. Parents pushed for it and prek3 and 4 have two outdoor times a day.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:You won't find much early pickup because it is taxpayer funded full-day school, not private preschool. The early pickup is usually offered as a transition option for kids who are struggling at first. The city is paying the schools to have kids all day and if a school closed early, that would cause problems.

For long recess, add LAMB to your list.

Please remember that public PK3 and PK4 are optional in DC. You are not obligated to send your child.

Yep, we realize it is optional. Like many, many DC families in most cases private care is beyond our budget. The two schools I mentioned allow for early pick up for prk3 all year according to their websites &/or information at the open house. We do have LAMB on our list to check out of course it seems difficult to win a spot there.
I would give the argument forcing working class dc families that get priced out of good private care get forced into Full-time preschool. Why shouldn't families that all pay into the taxes be given a different options?? Like half day or a few days a week spot shared with another family or child. When full-time & inside all day isn't working for a kid.

I'm not trying to be a jerk but where are there schools that have tax payer funded three day a week or non full day programs?

We are military and have been a few places. Virginia has no funded prek. Georgia has A full time prek4 lottery that is funded. You obviously know what dc has.

Your expectations and wants are not a thing. Pay for a three day a week church preschool thing. That's what we did when we were in a state that had no prek.

[Anonymous]

DC DPR co-ops might meet your need. They are mostly 2-3 year olds, but meet for 2-3 hours each morning M-F.

OP, some of the PK3 and PK4 schedule is just the constraint of a day. Lunch and nap takes 2.5-3 hours hours of the 6.5 hour day. If your kid's school has daily "specials" (which parents aggressively advocate for), that is another 30-60 minutes. That leaves 3 hours remaining. Recess is typically 30-60 minutes, which leaves about 2-2.5 hours for snack, bathroom breaks, and center/lesson time. Think about how long it takes to get a group of 15 three-year-olds to do anything (snack, lunch, bathroom, walking to or from recess) PLUS the school's need to schedule/balance which age groups (PK3-5th grade is 8 years of age span) are on the playground at any given time.

My kids go to a school where the littles have one scheduled morning recess of about 30 minutes. They are frequently outside for additional parts of the day for lessons, and sometimes the non-nappers get additional outdoor time in the afternoon. Aftercare typically does 1+ hours outside as well. They get more time outside than they did when I was home with them. But yeah, it's only 30 scheduled minutes of recess per day.

[Anonymous]

Early pickup is really disruptive to the other kids in the class who are staying. If you want PT do a co op.

[Anonymous]

Lee Montessori allows for early pick up for nappers (aka pk3 and sometimes pk4). They also play outside everyday regardless of weather (unless it's dangerous). Most schools will stay inside but Lee they are out and you are expected to send your kids with proper outdoor attire.

The real question is are you serious about sending your kid to school? If you aren't prepared to fully commit to school's attendance than don't take a space for a child/family willing to commit to being all in.

[Anonymous]

Please realize that parents who hold their kids out a lot because of transition (i.e. Only sending a few times a week) are not only taking spots for kids who WANT to go every day BUT also hurt schools and their tier rating because of attendance.
What did you do before 3? Obviously you could afford daycare or whatever you did prior to 3, and if you have the flexibility of picking up midday or part time than you CAN afford something that a lot of parents cannot (who not only need their kids in school all day but also need before/aftercare).

I'm sorry but I have zero sympathy for you. No one is promised pk3 or 4. And, there are not enough pk3/pk4 spots available for those who want one. If you don't want to commit to a full day experience than wait to lottery for another year and let someone who is willing that spot.

[Anonymous]

I have a child at Breakthrough and I think you are on the right track focusing on Montessori. There is a major focus on building practical and social skills and the class spends over an hour outside every day. Children are free to move around the classroom and encouraged to do things independently, which has been great for my child.

I do agree with PPs that if you are taking a PK3 spot you need to be committed to full time school. The transition can seem daunting until you go through it, but your child will adjust.

[Anonymous]

Langley has a lot of active play-- a nice playground, the rec center, and a program called Playworks that ensures active play and social skills development at recess. Also Langley has two gyms and separate cafeteria and auditorium, so there are no schedule conflicts for active playtime when it rains or other events are happening. The gyms are for PE, recess, and aftercare, nothing else.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:You won't find much early pickup because it is taxpayer funded full-day school, not private preschool. The early pickup is usually offered as a transition option for kids who are struggling at first. The city is paying the schools to have kids all day and if a school closed early, that would cause problems.

For long recess, add LAMB to your list.

Please remember that public PK3 and PK4 are optional in DC. You are not obligated to send your child.

Yep, we realize it is optional. Like many, many DC families in most cases private care is beyond our budget. The two schools I mentioned allow for early pick up for prk3 all year according to their websites &/or information at the open house. We do have LAMB on our list to check out of course it seems difficult to win a spot there.
I would give the argument forcing working class dc families that get priced out of good private care get forced into Full-time preschool. Why shouldn't families that all pay into the taxes be given a different options?? Like half day or a few days a week spot shared with another family or child. When full-time & inside all day isn't working for a kid.

Who takes care of your kids now? It's actually more of a burden on working families to not have full time care.

Unless you are not working, in which case I don't have a lot of sympathy, barring a child with extreme special needs.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Tyler has more outdoor time. Parents pushed for it and prek3 and 4 have two outdoor times a day.

Omg. That cannot possibly make up for the fact that Tyler is a complete shit show.

Been there, done that, threw out the t-shirt.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Tyler has more outdoor time. Parents pushed for it and prek3 and 4 have two outdoor times a day.

Omg. That cannot possibly make up for the fact that Tyler is a complete shit show.

Been there, done that, threw out the t-shirt.

Lol same here (although I use the shirt to work out in). I was just answering the question.