Do you prefer Kindergarten every day half day or 2 & 3 full days a week?

Question

My daughter starts kindergarten this fall and I need to decide if she should go half days every day or go 2 full days one week and then 3 full days the next. Any of you Moms have an opinion on what you prefer and why?

Answer 1

We had a choice and I chose all-day/every-other-day for these reasons:

1. The "full day" got them used to the long schedule that they will have in 1st grade. But they had every other day off so it wasn't so brutal.

2. Having every other day off allowed us to still hang out together and actually do something on those days without the day being broken up.

3. I would spend the full day off with my children then, the next day, I have a whole day to myself to get things accomplished, or even work if I wanted to.

On the contrary, half days broke up every day of the week and there just seemed to be no benefit to it. And it was much more of a commitment because you have to rush to get everything done and be home by 11:00 every single day.

Chosing all day kindergarten was the best decision for me. My twins are now in 4th grade and I still cherish the memories of their kindergarten year!

Hope this helps. Let us know what you decide!

Answer 2

Do you prefer Kindergarten every day half day or 2 & 3 full days a week?

Answer 3

I have 4 kids, some of whom went to half day and some who had full day. My opinion is that half day goes by too fast and by the time potty time is over, little hands get washed, snacks are eaten, etc there is not much time for learning. I definitely prefer a full day for this reason. I do have to say that I don't think that my kids who went half day are any worse off than the ones who went a full day. Hope this helps.

Answer 4

I like half day. I think it makes for a good transition to full day in first grade. Even with only being there only a half day, my daughter was so TIRED the first couple of months. Full day is a LONG day and doesn't really give them much time to play and be kids. It's a long time to ask a 5 year old to sit still and listen.

Answer 5

Last year my son was in a full-day every day program. If I would have been able to choose, I would have sent him daily for a half day. Daily he would get the reinforcement of the school rules, and lessons. However, the afternoon was spent watching movies or cartoons--which he could have easily done at home.

Before you make your decision, contemplate whether you need her to be in school all day, daily? Daycare is expensive!!
Also, they have very short attention spans at that age. If they only go a couple days a week, the teacher will spend a lot of time re-instructing various skills instead of advancing at a steady pace.

Best of luck with your decision!!

Answer 6

My older kids have had Kindergarten 5 days a week for full days which was really nice, especially if you have to pay for daycare. With so many kids in daycares and preschools at such young ages, it seems silly to not put them in Kindergarten for full days. But if that is not an option, I would take whichever one works with your schedule the best.

Answer 7

Full days. I've done forms of both (preschool) and I can get more errands done (not to mention gyn visits) if I'm not running back to the school in a few hours to pick up my child. It could also be cheaper on gas. If school is close, part day could be good. It really depends on you. When we did half days, I had time to go to the gym daily. With full days I could gym, errands, and shop with a friend or eat lunch with my husband.

Think about your schedule and what works best. At the Kindergarten age, I think full days are best to prepare the child for 1st grade. The transition from kinder to 1st is huge. Sitting still, no activities centers in class, alot more structured. I think 2 days one week and 3 the next gives your child time to adjust to a schedule that will be a part of them for years to come, but still have time with Mom and catch up on naps (if they still do that). It also gets their bodies used to eating at school. Out of 3 kids, 1 of mine had issues with the school diet. She was constipated for months. We were pushing water on her like crazy, it just took awhile for her body to adjust. Just things to consider!

Answer 8

Half days! It is easier to get into a routine that way. Plus full days completely exhausted my daughter.

Answer 9

I prefer Mon-Fri am kindergarten. With this schedule, the child will gradually adjust to awakening early for the bus and going to school Mon. - Fri. The other schedules will only confuse a child and he/she will have trouble adapting to 1st grade.

Answer 10

Alot of moms I know like whole day cause they work, however I refer half day. It gets them in the swing of going all week but its not all day and they still have time with mommy and daddy. I believe half day is enough for a kindergardner!! But thats just my Thoughts.