Preschool: 3 or 5 days?

[Anonymous]

I know there is no right or wrong answer, but I'm hoping that others will share their views (nicely please).

DD will be 4 in September, although she misses the cut-off so she'll be the oldest in a 3 yo class. She currently goes to school 3 days a week and enjoys it. She loves her teachers, has friends, etc. We have the option of sending her 3 or 5 days a week next year. We signed her up for 5 days, but now I'm second-guessing myself.

On the pro side: her best friends will be going 5 days a week. She's ready - she likes it, they do fun stuff, she is learning. She is the oldest in her class, so ahead of her peers in many areas. The 3 days a week class has younger kids (on average), so the difference would be exacerbated. Many of her non-school friends are also in school, so it's not like she could do playdates with them in the am.

On the con side: it's 5 days! She'll be in school or work 5 days a week for the rest of her life! No more gymnastics on Tuesday mornings or a free day to go to the zoo if it's nice out. It also cuts into her baby brother's schedule, since I or our nanny (depending on the day) have to be close by for drop-off and pick-up.

I know school is a good thing, and it's not like I"m sending her to prison for 5 days a week. And we can still do stuff in the afternoon, but nap schedules interfere until 3:30, blah blah blah, I"m sure you understand.

What thoughts went into other's decisions?

[Anonymous]

i've obsessed about things like this myself and realized it really doesn't matter. whatever is better for you is probably fine because there is not a clear answer for your daughter. sounds like 3 days works better for you.

[Anonymous]

I vote for 3 days, ONLY because of the fun things you can do in the mornings with free time, like you suggested Gymnastics, craft classes at the community center, the zillions of things you can do when the weather gets warm, and just having 2 fun free days.

From what you describe she loves school, I just like the flexibility of having some fun days. For the record, I am a SAHM and have my son 5 days a week in 1/2 day school, but it really interrupts our fun time together and I'm switching next year. He is only 2, but loves school just the same and is doing well, but by the time he gets home it's lunch and nap and there's not much to do after 3pm.

I'm going to be hating it in the spring.

[Anonymous]

What a great thread. I have worried about this too but I think I'm going to put DD in morning preschool 5 days a week next year. Her little sister will be home with me in the mornings.

I figure I can take her out of school one day a week sometimes if there is something really fun to do.

I don't know why I feel guilty about it. I feel like I'm paying way more attention to my younger child/baby.

Oh yes, I'm also putting her in camp five mornings a week in June. I figure that will be a test and I'll see how we all do.

[Anonymous]

I had the same issue as OP. Our solution was to put now-4 yr old DS in 5 morning a week school, however we play hooky quite liberally (I'm a SAHM). We go to museums, hiking and the like about 3x a month. So he's basically in 4.2 day a week school

FWIW, I completely agree with the thought that they have the next 20 years to go to school 5 days a week. Why rush this? (assuming you have a good, age-appropriate alternative).

[Anonymous]

i'm a working mom and i still play hooky with my child who is in a 5 morning a week program. sometimes just to hang out at home with him and sometimes to do a fun activity in the morning. i'm lucky that my work hours are flexible and i have a babysitter who can stay late if i have to make up work in the evening.