Would this bother you? Long, Pre-k related

Andy started pre-k today. This is our 4th year at this school (Sarah did 3 years and now Andy's on his 3rd year). They've always had half day pre-k classes, extended day and full day, but all separate. Sarah had a great experience in half day pre-k there last year, she learned a lot and I was happy with how the year went overall.

This year Andy's signed up for 5 day half day pre-k. Our school district is half day kindergarten so I don't need him to get used to longer days, plus then we can all play together in the afternoons, which will stop next year when Sarah's in 1st grade.

This year they have half day kids and full day kids in the same class. So I guess in the midst of things Andy and the other half day kids are pulled out and brought down to the parents, and the full day kids continue on. I'm concerned he's going to be missing out on things that were taught in the afternoon and they don't want or have time to review in the morning.

I only had a few minutes to talk to the teacher, and of course they say that it's not a problem, he won't be missing out on anything. I'm going to ask the directors about it tomorrow, but since they are the ones who set up the classes this way, I know I'll get the same "Oh, it's fine, blah, blah"

If it were your child, would you start looking into other pre-k programs so you could switch them soon, or am I making a bigger deal out of this than it is?

TIA.

Re: Would this bother you? Long, Pre-k related

It wouldn't bother me.

Re: Would this bother you? Long, Pre-k related

I guess you could just ask, straight out what goes on in the afternoon. I do not think it would bother me if I really loved the school. If I did not, then I would move my kid anyway.

Re: Would this bother you? Long, Pre-k related

Re: Would this bother you? Long, Pre-k related

Obviously you made the best decision for your child and your family when you enrolled him. I'm sure you gave it ample thought and did not make the decision lightly. Considering that and if you really love the school, I don't see why you would mind. After all, it IS pre-k. What would he REALLY be missing?

Re: Would this bother you? Long, Pre-k related

My DS has attended a daycare for about 2 years that has a pre-school and pre-K program. I think most of the lesson oriented stuff is done in the mornings because I think they have a better attention span than later in the day. Plus, the kids who are there all day have lunch, rest, another snack time and playground time in the afternoon.

I don't think he'll be missing all that much.

Re: Would this bother you? Long, Pre-k related

Not sure if this helps or not but DS is going to full day pre-k now. It is from 9:30-2:30 and they go down for lunch between 11:45 and 12. His teacher told us at orientation that in the morning is when they do the bulk of learning. The kids are more attentive and not tired. Once they break for lunch the get a little tired and that is when they do more of the arts and crafts , reading and free play.

So while they may be pulling him out, he is probably just missing out on some arts and crafts or play time. I would ask and see if this is how it is set up.

Is it combined because they do not have enough kids to make one class ? My school will not create a class if there is less than 8 students.

Re: Would this bother you? Long, Pre-k related

It wouldn't bother me.

Ella goes 3days/week to the same school she was at last year. Some of the kids in her class go 4 or 5 days. I know there are activities and projects she's not involved with on the days she's not there. But she's never felt like she's missing out.

Re: Would this bother you? Long, Pre-k related

It would bother me, I think they should have separate classes and the programs should be different.

Re: Would this bother you? Long, Pre-k related

It wouldn't bother me at all. Not for nothing, but if he's in a class of all half day kids, then he's still going to miss out on what the full day kids are doing regardless. KWIM? Ava's in full day pre-K and the afternoon is enrichment and plenty of kids in her class only go half day. They miss out on the enrichment, but get the core of the curriculum in the morning. I'm sure that's what goes on at your school, too. I just wouldn't worry because of course the morning kids are getting all they need to, since they're only there for that half of the day. If you trust the school and have had your kids there for a while, I wouldn't worry. You could always ask to see a copy of their curriculum.

Re: Would this bother you? Long, Pre-k related

I wouldn't worry.

Re: Would this bother you? Long, Pre-k related

It wouldn't bother me unless they were plucking the 1/2 day kids out in the middle of something. Whether it's them learning something or just that they are aware and bothered by abruptly having to stop an activity, especially a fun one, where the full day kids will continue. If they are grouping the kids together, they should have a specific time frame where they allow for the 1/2 day kids to exit for the day in an orderly and stress free manner. My child's perception of "missing out on fun"/social part would bother more than what lesson they were missing academically.

Re: Would this bother you? Long, Pre-k related

It wouldn't bother me. This is how it's done here but we've only had experience with Montessori which isn't quite as structured a curriculum.

Re: Would this bother you? Long, Pre-k related

As a former preschool teacher, and I know I am only speaking through where I taught, he wont be missing out on anything in the afternoon. Do the full day kids nap? Nap was a big chunk of time for the full day kids. When they woke it was all about snack and playtime basically. I feel like almost ALL of my lessons were conducted in the morning. A few crafts were done in the afternoon but nothing that was going to be missed. I dont think you need to worry about it.

Re: Would this bother you? Long, Pre-k related

Thanks everyone! I've been running between things for the kids for the past 24 hours and haven't had a chance to come back and see what everyone thought.

I think my main frustration is that they've never done it this way and I feel like they should have called me over the summer to let me know there was going to be a change and outline my options and let me ask any questions then. I worry that they will be pulling him out in the middle of something, or that some days they will get busy in the am and push off a math or science lesson until the afternoon rather then the next day which is what would happen if it were a class of all kids on the same schedule.

We have curriculum night early next week so I'm waiting to see what the typical daily schedule is then.