Is there a benefit to a full time Preschool vs. part time Preschool?

Question

We are currently researching preschool options for our 3 year old. I am particularly interested in hearing from elementary school teachers and parents as to lasting differences between kids that have attended a full time preschool, part-time or church preschool, home-daycare or those kids that have stayed at home. Our son is currently at an in-home daycare and we are weighing supplementing daycare with a $95/month part- time church preschool vs. a full-time school options for $8K annually. What long-term benefits have you parents or teachers seen with a Montessori or other private preschool option? Is it worth an extra $3,600.00 a year over full-time day care costs to send a 3 year old to private school? Does anyone know of reputable research on this subject? Thanks for your opinions!

Answer 1

The earliest years of education are the most crucial, because it is then that children learn how to learn (and socialise).  Private school vs state depends on the quality of state education where you live.  I was ideologically against the elitism, nouveau-riche-ism etc of private schooling, but where I live (Greece) state education is so wretched that I had to opt for private for my son.  He has been attending Montessori preschools full-time since he was 3 3/4 years old, and he will continue there for primary schooling.  The Montessori method guides a child into logical thinking by working out the answers for him/herself through experimentation; also, it encourages self-reliance and respect for others.  Dr Montessori's method has been used for 100 years, and it has stood the test of time.  In a TIME interview the founders of Google both ascribed their success to their Montessori education.  

May I suggest you post your question on the Montessori yahoo group for information about research.  Members are teachers as well as parents.

I hope you find the best option for your son.  It is wonderful that you care so much about his education.

Answer 2

You must define exactly what is part-time, vs full-time.  Optimally, a three-year-old (two years before kindergarten) should be in school between 10 and 15 hours per week, and a four year old (one year before kindergarten) about 20 hours per week. Some schools may consider that full-time, others part-time.

The best schools are academic-based, charge nearly $700 (or more) per month and have waiting lists.  Avoid Montessori.

Answer 3

no i would wait until at least first grade that is what i did for my child. I mean really all they do in private preschools that is different than in a public one is they wear uniforms and it is normally nicer. But I think that it is a waste of money to send a three year old to private school I mean I don't think your child will remember what the preschool was like in a couple years.  That is my opion.

Answer 4

I just wanted to say that as a Preschool teacher the real benefit for the children is in the morning when the teachers and other children engage in circle, planned activities, songs, story, and play both inside and on the playground.

In the afternoon in many schoos they offer lunch, nap, and more play time. Your child would be in a safe environment for an extended time beyond the traditional Nursery hours. The time would be social, but not critical for your child's development.

Answer 5

I think alot of it depends on the child.  Most 3 year olds are not ready for a fulltime preschool.  Montessori schools are excellent, setting the standards for many areas of preschool development.  But a part-time church preschool may have teaching tools that you won't find elsewhere.  

Things to think about

1)Bigger schools more exposure to germs, headlice etc.

2) If your 3 year is comfortable with the in-home daycare and is meeting all their developmental markers then I think an appropriate transition would be to place them in a part-time settings.  Throwing them into a new setting and a full day pace maybe too much but again it depends on the child.

3) School that teach your morals become less of an option in alot areas as the children get older and into public schools.  Having a base in your beliefs never hurt.

I was one of the first teachers in our agency to have 3 year classroom.  Out of 18 kids in my class, maybe 3 really thrived on being there.  I only did this class for one year.  My gut feeling was that the children that weren't successful as others didn't have learning disabilities but simply weren't ready and shouldn't be required to do so/ or labeled behind.  The 3 kids that were, were emotionally ready when they came to me.  Maybe half the kids were ready to be there midyear and the other half had a bad taste in their mouth towards school.

If you are happy with your in-home daycare I think supplimenting is a great idea.  My granddaughter is currently 3 years old.  She is sight readying (recognizing letters and symbols, certain words, she can make basic shapes including a heart, she is able to color in the lines mostly, she can count to 20, more importantly she understand what 5 of something is verses 1 of something (she associates the number of objects with the number name), she can use scissors to cut straight snips, she knows her alphabet and recognizes more than half her letters on site and can match letters or numbers or animals etc, she can do a 8-10 piece puzzle. I think she is exceptional but my point is this, she is doing well at home but she enjoys the socialization at the preschool hour at the library and going to daycare a few hours a week.  

Each child is different and unique.  The other thing to think about is what will that extra money do to your family.  Would it cost you more in what you are able to provide for your child, than you could possibly get back in a school setting.

I did some research for about 3 years on the long term effect of early intervention in children who at risk (required by our grant for Head Start).  Ultimately children did better when their parents, family, siblings interacted with them.

Regardless of what you decide to do, watch your child for signs of stress.  It could be a change in toiletry habits, a reverse in language skills, over exciteability or fatigue.  Any big changes in mood or personality.  You are giving the care over to others while you work.  Take a few days and take your child into the different settings as a visitor with the support of you there.  See which setting your child responds to best.  

Bottom line for me is this ~ unless your child is exhibiting a social concern or learning delay enrolling them in a structured preschool at 3 years won't make much difference by the time they are between 7 -8.

All kids are going to go through an adjustment period when entering a new social structure.  When you are talking about a 3 year old, their behavior is the best indicator of whether it 1) is needed or 2) is adviseable.  

Sorry I rattled on but just because something costs more doesn't make it the best thing for your child and just because something is free doesn't make it a good deal.  

You seem like you are on the right tract, asking questions before you act or make a decision.  Good luck.