Looking for opinions (pre-k related)

Hi All. My DD is 4 and has been going to a local nursery school since she was 2 (2-3 days a week half days). She is eligible for UPK this September but did not get into the lottery. Now DH and I are thinking about changing her school to find a place that offers 2-3 days a week for a full day. We do think that she is ready for it and want her to be prepared for kindergarten next year.

But I am starting to feel guilty for changing her school for this Sept. and then next Sept. she will be in K in another school.

The nursery school she goes to now only offers half day for 4 year olds, and with our schedules its is hard to get her to and from 5 days a week. The alternative is to continue sending her 3x week for the half days.

What are your thoughts/suggestions?

Thanks.

Looking for opinions (pre-k related)

I always say I wish I could do three full days instead of 5 half days. I would go for it. A year is a long time for a 4 year old so it won't feel so much like they're bouncing around to them. In my district only half the schools house upk so lots of kids go from nursery to one elementary school for upk to another for kindergarten.

Looking for opinions (pre-k related)

I would keep her in her school. 3 half days a week is fine for preK - as long as she is happy there and learning! FOr me, I wouldn't want to switch schools from where she has been going since 2. I don't know, my daugther is in preschool now and going into preK next year and she is already comfortable there and has her little friends. I think thats way more important than sending her somewhere totally new and different because you think longer days will prepare her more for K. IMO, Kindergarden is so much work these days - let them be little for as long as you can... I just don't see the need for 4 year olds to be going longer days and doing more work. There is so much time for that.

Looking for opinions (pre-k related)

i would go with what works best for your schedule. (do you work part time, or SAH? does she go to a babysitter the other half day that she's not in nursery school?)
my son is 5.5- he missed the cut-off for kindergarten this year by about a month. i SAH with him, and he's been going to pre-K for 4 mornings a week (9-11:30). BUT the past few months, as he gets a little older, he's been BORED!!!! the half day preschool isn't enough to keep him engaged, or enough time with other kids for him ( he has no siblings OR cousins) So after the morning of pre-K, he's BORED, and I'm exhausted trying to keep him entertained all afternoon ( most of our friends work full time, or the ones who are home during the day have more than one kid and have to work around their other kid's schedules to get together for playdates or whatever...)
also, even though his pre-K teacher said he more than ready for K in a couple months as far as what he knows... i'm not sure if he's ready for the longer 7 hour days. he's used to a lot of time at home, when most kids entering K now have been in full time day care for awhile. not sure if he'll be at a disadvantage :-/
ANYWAY--- my point is that probably in the next year as she gets older your daughter will just be more "Ready" for the 3 longer days at school... to keep her more engaged/entertained. so that might be the way to go, if it works better for your schedule...

Looking for opinions (pre-k related)

Due to. Retain circumstances dd1 changed schools every year from 2 yrs old lol. Never affected her. Dd2 is changing this year and will most likely stay for 2 yes until k. They are fine. I personally would rogue full day program. The short day is not enough for my kids

Re: Looking for opinions (pre-k related)

I don't think either choice is really "wrong".
I did stick with half days for both my kids up til K... But did put DD in full when I was working & we had a boring babysitter.
Ask school for their "schedule".... Full day for us was a supervised lunch, quiet time & one hour of lesson/playtime.

Re: Looking for opinions (pre-k related)

I would keep her on the same schedule/same school.
UPK is only half days and she's been going for a few years now, I don't think she'll have a hard time adjusting to K, etc.

Looking for opinions (pre-k related)

My dd has been in the same school for 2 years. I'm taking her out and putting her into a school that offers 3 full days for pre k. I'm apprehensive but we need to do this for our work schedules and I'm confident she will be ok. I'm sad to leave the old school but I think it will be fine.

Re: Looking for opinions (pre-k related)

Thanks everyone for all your opinions. I appreciate the feedback.