Two or Three Day Preschool for 2.5 year old?

Ok, so I know it doesn't really matter, but it feels like a big decision to me so I thought I'd see if there were any opinions out there.

I'm a SAHM and am looking at preschools for September. I think this would be a great opportunity for my daughter (and a nice break for me.) She and I are always together, so its going to be hard to separate in the beginning. Do you think it would be easier on her to go two mornings a week (more time with mommy then) or three days a week (more a part of her regular routine, shorter break over the weekend)...

Re: Two or Three Day Preschool for 2.5 year old?

I would start her off slow. i would do the two mornings a week.

Re: Two or Three Day Preschool for 2.5 year old?

My DS will be 3 next month, currently he is in scool 2x a week for 2 hours a day. In September he will go 3X a week for 3 hours a day.

Re: Two or Three Day Preschool for 2.5 year old?

We were told that for 2 year olds 3 days is best.
Because they don't have the long weekend to get out of routine also just because she is registered for 3 days doesn't mean that she always has to go 3 days a week.
Jack is going three mornings a week starting in August he will be 2 in May

Re: Two or Three Day Preschool for 2.5 year old?

My son is starting school in September. He will be 3 this May. He's going 3x/week for 3 hours a day.

Re: Two or Three Day Preschool for 2.5 year old?

Jack started in a toddler preschool program at 20 months and I started him at 2 days a week for 2.5 hours. Once he was doing well, I enrolled him for 3 days and will do the same next year.

Re: Two or Three Day Preschool for 2.5 year old?

my son will be 3 next month. he is enrolled for September for 2 days per week for 5 hours a day.

it was a big decision to send him for what they call "full day" since he is with me all day from day 1, but honestly I think he can handle it. We go for a 2.5 hour class now (together) and it really flies right by.

Message edited 4/12/2007 2:34:01 PM.

Re: Two or Three Day Preschool for 2.5 year old?

I think its totally up to you.

Coming from a preschool teachers' point of view though, make sure you do 2 or 3 consecutive days. Do not break them up. They need the consistency to get used to it.

Good luck!

Re: Two or Three Day Preschool for 2.5 year old?

Jacob will be starting going to a toddler program at 24 months-- 3 days a week from 9:30-11:30, with extend a day until 1 starting in November (I haven't decided if we are doing that yet).. He is also going to camp also at 21 months T and Thurs 9:30-11:30.

Unfortuntely from my research most programs only do MW, TH, MWF, or T,Th,F.

It would be hard to find consecutive days to go to preschool..

My opinion-once you find a school is to sign up for the 3 days, because if your child does not like it you can always go to 2, however if you are only signed up for 2 you may not be able to extend to the 3rd day because they might already be full...

Re: Two or Three Day Preschool for 2.5 year old?

I think we'll be starting with 2 days at 2.5 years and if she does well go to 3 days when she is 3. That is what most of my friends have done and it has gone well for them.

Re: Two or Three Day Preschool for 2.5 year old?

I would have started with 2 days. Unfortunately, the school I am taking Katherine to in Sept. only has a 1-day 2 year old program (2.5 hours), but I guess that's OK since she'll only be turning one on the first day of school.

Re: Two or Three Day Preschool for 2.5 year old?

DS will start the 2.5 year old program in Sept. The school we chose only offers two days per week, 1.5 hours per day. They say it's more than enough time for them at that age.