pre-k...full/part?

Question

my kid is 3 now well 3 and a half. she will be in school by the end of next yr. and i am worried. should i put here in part time or should i do full time. she is always talking about schools and buses and is very excited every time we talk about it. she has never been to a daycare and it's been me and her since she was born. her dad works off shore. i dont even really know what i'm scared of but what's the best a 4 yr old full time or part time?

Answer 1

Why are you taking her to school? B/C you have to work? Then I would say let that dictate the length. Otherwise, keep her home as much as possible. Children this age needs their parents!

Answer 2

It really depends where you live or the options you have available. In Australia we have pre school for 3-4 yr olds 2 half days a week the 4-5 yr old kindergarden also 2 half days a week then they start school. We also have day care where you can leave the child full time or as long as you feel. Its your choice. My 3 and a half yr old is starting pre school next yr and has been going to child care 2 days a week for the last yr. I feel its important a child be socialised around other children and they also learn a lot through play. Good luck on your choice. I personally feel 2 days a week is enough because at that age I still want to be the main carer in his life.

Answer 3

First of all let me tell you I think it is great that you are talking about preschool with your child at an early age. My daughter just started preschool this year and is 4 years old. She goes 4 days one week and 5 days the next. However her class is from 8:15-11:45 a.m. each day she goes. She loves this and enjoys it. Some days it is just the right length for her because she starts to get tired and antsy to come home and spend time with me and her siblings. However let me just tell you something that I have learned, siblings and family such as cousins do not replace the social interaction they get at school and it helps them to develop their social skills. I think that you should talk to the preschool now and see what they suggest as they may have certain hours you weren't aware of. I think at 4 years old they should be able to handle up to 4 hours a day of school, at least that is what I have seen not just with my daughter but with the other children in her class as well. Good luck and don't be scared to explore the options in place for you.

Answer 4

Just from personal experience, I never went to pre-school, and my mom sent both me and my sisters to half-time kindergarten. We both turned out very smart and acted well in school, but I was extremely shy that maybe earlier socialization would have allowed. There are pros and cons to it. Don't be scared, talk to her about what school will be like, even though the final decision should come down to how you feel about it. She's too young to know the difference.

Answer 5

I have a 4 year old, and I went through this same thing with pre school. I decided that full time is the better choice, due to when they get to school, after kindergarten there is no half day. Not to mention that most schools are no longer offering half day kindergarten except to children with disabilities. I believe that to put my child in a full time program will better help him to get used to going full time when he goes to "big school" as he refers to it. Which ever you choose, know that it is the right choice for you and your child. Good Luck

Answer 6

Best thing to do is let her try it one way or the other full or part time and let her go from there. If she is is challanged by learning p/t is probably better. If she is not challangeed by learning the I would probably do fulltime since she will get the best before she hits kindergarten.

Answer 7

my daughter and I used to talk about pre-school all the time. I had her really excited about going, and she really wanted to go so she could learn. I wanted her to go to get used to being around other kids. as time grew closer for her to go to pre-school, she decided she didn't want to go, so I didn't make her. But now, all she talks about is wanting to go to kindergarden. She will be 5 soon, and I've told her that she has no choice but to go this time around. It's not a MUST for a child to go to pre-school, so if you can keep her home with you, do it! just teach her as much as you can before she goes to kindergarden so she isn't too far behind the other kids.

Answer 8

It depends. What time do you work? If you have the time, you should try out part time. Kids at that age need time with their parent, so being more involved would be easier if it was part time.

Answer 9

I'd say part time since it sounds like she hasn't been parted from you for any leangth of time. the preschool at my church has part time for 4 year olds and full time for 5 year olds

Answer 10

I did full time. You need to get your child used to being in school all day. Alot of schools now only have full time. Think of the benefits that it will give your child! They will learn more!