All day kindergarten versus half day...?

Question

I'm in the process of picking out a school for my daughter. We have several to choose from. Some have all day programs from 8:30-3pm while some are 8:30-12:30 pm. To me for a 5 year old all day is too long. Plus I'm a stay at home mom and I'll miss my little one. What is better? My little one still loves to take a nap. HELP!! Thank you so much!!

Answer 1

Our school does not offer a half day program for kindergarten. The reason is that they need time to really learn in kindergarten and when you squeeze all the teaching into just a little amount of time then your child is being rushed and will not have time to really let things sink in. Plus half day programs are all work and little play. You want your child to know that there is some fun in school and just having her sit down and do work the whole time she will not see that. Plus you may cut it down to were the only time that she is seeing her friends is during work time... she could miss centers, recess, physical education and even story time... These things can be just as important sometimes as the school work itself. Our school gives an hour nap still to the kindergartners. and some of them need longer so they are taken in to nap with the Preschool to get a 2 hour nap. It all just depends on your preference and your child's needs you are her mom and you know what is best for her... just look and research well. :)      

Answer 2

My daughter was in full day kindergarten and she loved it.  I cried for the first week because I knew that I would miss her but then I was fine because she was so happy.  She learned so much in full day kindergarten.  She was really challenged.  Her class was very small so she became really good friends with the other children.  I just don't think they learn a lot in half day kindergarten.  As for her nap you should start phasing it out.  If you phase out her nap then she will just go to bed earlier.  Also, a full day of kindergarten made first grade a lot easier for her because when she got into first grade she was already used to a full day.  Also, she has always done great academically.  She is going into sixth grade and she gets all As.  I am really happy that I put her in all day kindergarten.

Answer 3

All day K has contributed to making Kindergarten ito boot camp. The fact that your child is still napping sends a message that half day is right for her. Besides, as nap time decreases she will have more time to do interesting things with Mom. Helping you cook is a Math and Science Activity, as is sorting socks. you'll have time to read together. By all means, let her be a child a while longer and go for the half day.  

Answer 4

I struggled with it too, for the same reasons as you.  Our public school was full day. I even enrolled in in a Pre-K program w/a good K so I would have the option of 1/2 day.  

The first thing I did was go in and observe the K classrooms in the all-day school.  They were well set-up to handle the needs of K kids.  The schedule was designed to work with them (academics in the morning, then specials, recess, centers in the afternoon).

I decided to start him off in all-day, knowing that if it seemed to not work in his best intrest that I could enroll him in a private 1/2 day.

I ended up loving full day.  After a tough 6 week adjustment - (he'd do beautifully all day and melt down when he got home) - we had an amazing year.   He was able to hit 1st grade running.  My friend's daughter that did 1/2 day had a hard time with 1st grade as they expect that kids are used to an all-day routine.

What I found is that although they didn't necissarily learn "more" than 1/2 day - the kids had time to really understand, practice, and apply the information they were given so that they really internalized it.  It was actually a much less stressful environment because the teacher had more time.

But it is a personal decision which has to be based on you and your kids needs.

Answer 5

my son went to half day last year. i really liked that! of course he was AM...i probably wouldnt like it as much if it were PM but either way i felt was better than whole days starting off. it gave both of us a chance to get used to it. this year he will be in first and im actually a bit nervous he will be gone until 4 but i know he will be fine. i think when they are just starting out especially if they have not been to daycare or preschool...half is nice. and your a SAHM mom like me...so you wont have to hassel with half days and finding a sitter for the rest while your at work.  

Answer 6

I think you're right that a full day is too long for 5 years old.  However, your choice should be based on the quality of education the school will give, not the length of day.