Pre-K: 3 day or 5 day? UPDATED with my decision (if anyone's interested)

Having a hard time deciding. I'm leaning toward 3 day, she's going to be going to school 5 days a week for the rest of her life, why rush it? But I don't want her to be at a disadvantage either.

Ugh, I hate making these decisions.

Message edited 1/5/2009 2:25:33 PM.

Re: Pre-K: 3 day or 5 day?

I send DD for 3 days - mostly because I'm on maternity leave and want to spend time with her before I go back to work in Sept. When she was in nursery, I sent her for 3 days and a sitter 2 days...at that time I felt the same way you do about being in school for 5 days her whole life...I still feel that way.

She wasn't at a disadvantage at all, still isn't. Her school is VERY flexible, so if they are having a party that she isn't scheduled to attend, they just let me switch her day...

She is learning the same as everyone else and really thriving!

Good luck with the decision!

Re: Pre-K: 3 day or 5 day?

Hmmm I'd probably do 5 if those were my only choices. We do 4 days right now but I am leaning toward 5 days in September, possibly full days but I don't think that's in the budget. She loves it so much.

Re: Pre-K: 3 day or 5 day?

You can only go 5 days a week for pre-k at Jacob's nursery school.. I don't have a choice.. He will be going 9-2 and then you can do enrichment if you want every day until 3.. That decision will be made in September..

Re: Pre-K: 3 day or 5 day?

I agree with you in that kids have their whole lives to be in school. I think there's so much pressure nowadays on kids as little as two or three! I have a hard time believing that a 3 or 4 year old in school 3 days is at a disadvantage--I just don't believe it.

However...
Kate will be in Pre-K next year 5 days because that's all that's offered at her school. In addition, even though both DH and I are very reluctant, I will probably be putting her in school full time...which I think is until 2pm. I am strictly doing this for ME and maybe that's selfish, but I am expecting #3 in late summer and I feel it will be best for my sanity.

Re: Pre-K: 3 day or 5 day?

Re: Pre-K: 3 day or 5 day?

We did 4 day We actually have a choice at his school to pick 2, 3 or 5 days. AND we also have the choice of an extended day, which is 9-2. Regular day is 9-12. So Andrew goes every day except Tuesday from 9-12, but we also do an extended day Friday, from 9-2.

IMO, I would go for 5 if they are 1/2 days.

Re: Pre-K: 3 day or 5 day?

Jeremy goes 3 days for 2 1/2 hours a day. Ithink it's plenty.

Re: Pre-K: 3 day or 5 day?

My oldest DS will be going 3 days in September. I would love more days but his preschool doesn't offer it. I thinking about putting him in the 4 Year old enrichment program because it has longer hours.

DS will be going to the camp program 2x a week in the summer which is full day so I don't feel so bad about sending him for less days in the fall.

Re: Pre-K: 3 day or 5 day?

5 days

Re: Pre-K: 3 day or 5 day? UPDATED with my decision (if anyone's interested)

I decided to do 5 days (9:30-1:30). It's a little longer day than kindy is in our public school, but Sarah has a hard time dealing with change so I figured it would probably be best to get her used to going 5 days at her current school, and then when she switches schools for kindergarten her day will be shorter to make it less stressful for her.

Now my only issue will be dragging Andy from the school crying 2 days a week when he doesn't have class. They keep things from getting too dull....