Let's talk 4 year old programs please

How many days is your DC going?

How many hours per day?

Jacks school offers a 3 or 5 day program. It's 2 hours and 45 minutes. I think I'm going to do three day for a few reasons:

1. I hate getting out of the house with both boys 5 days

2. I think Tyler will not understand why he is going to school 3 days a week - and why he has to leave with me those other two. I can see many tantrums in my future.

So, my questions are this. Do you think Jack will fall behind by only going 3 days versus 5.

Please share your experiences.

Thanks

Re: Let's talk 4 year old programs please

I am doing 3 day also.....the thought of 5 day already has me too stressed out!!!

Re: Let's talk 4 year old programs please

For pre-k we sent both kids 5 days to get them into the routine of going to school every day, rather than dealing with transitioning to a new school and more days all at once.

Actually, when DS was 3yo and DD was in the 4yo program I sent him 5 days since he used to have a meltdown on the days she was staying and he wasn't.

ETA: My DD is terrible with change. She cried most nights from January to September about having to change schools for Kindergarten. She rubbed one of her eyebrows off in her sleep she was so stressed out. In the end she loves her new school and teacher, but if she had to make the change plus get used to going more days a week it would have been a lot harder on her.

My DS on the other hand is pretty easy going with that stuff, he's been saying for months that he can't wait to go to DD's school next year.

Message edited 1/3/2011 10:41:44 AM.

Re: Let's talk 4 year old programs please

Re: Let's talk 4 year old programs please

bump

Re: Let's talk 4 year old programs please

DD is in a 4 year old program.

She goes full time. Monday - Friday 9 am - 4pm.

The first half of the day is more "structured" with learning. Then after lunch its more of a fun setting with projects and activities.

She loves going full-time.

Re: Let's talk 4 year old programs please

Wait, I'm confused. Tyler will be starting school too?

You know C goes to full-time preschool, 5 days a week, 8 hours a day. For the first 1-1.5 hours (can’t remember which) it’s “daycare” because it’s before preschool starts…same with the afternoon, the last hour is “daycare” because it’s the extended hours. So I guess it’s technically a 5-6 hour school program, 5 days a week. You know I’m off on Fridays, and I always give her the option of going to school or staying home….she has ALWAYS chosen to go to school (though she goes in a little bit later with DH).

ETA: Her class starts at 2 years & 10 months and they are in the same class until Kindergarten.

Message edited 1/3/2011 1:04:59 PM.

Re: Let's talk 4 year old programs please

I totally totally understand what you mean by future tantrums. I would stick to a 3 day and see what happens. You can always throw him in 5 days if you feel he needs it.

I was in a similar situation this past fall. I knew Ayla would be starting her 3 year old program of 2 days a week but Amelia was only 2 so she was too young.
Holy disasters were coming my way. I was dreading it and having major anxiety just picturing the drop off and pick ups. Luckily someone found another school who would take my 2 year old into their 3 year old program bc she was potted trained. It was the best news I ever heard. I didn't care that it was different schools at different times and that I would have to take all 4 kids to her drop off at 8am. Now I do, it's a pita but it saved major tantrums from happening.

Next year Ayla will go 5 days if I win the lottery drawing. If i don't then she'll go 3 days and amelia will go 2.

My 2 friends send their children only 3 days a week and they will all be starting kindergarten in the fall.

Re: Let's talk 4 year old programs please

L does 3 now and D will be 3 days next year except I put them in full day.

Re: Let's talk 4 year old programs please

If we get into the prek I want, it is 5 days a week...8-1:30.

If not, I am sure he will be in a 3 day a week program....I don't have the money for full time.

I think some moms are super into getting ready for kindergarten. Which is great. I work on sight words, numbers, sounds.
When my sister subs for a kindergarten teacher, she is shocked at how little is expected academically. She tells me I think it is so much more then it really is.

Re: Let's talk 4 year old programs please

DD is doing 3 days a week for 2.5 hrs a day. She is 4.5 yrs old.I think 3 days a week is fine. They have their whole life to go to school 5 days a week.

Re: Let's talk 4 year old programs please

Andrew is in the 4 yr old program Pre-K.

He goes MWF 9-1. It is called Lunch Buddies. It gets them used to eating at school but not with such long days.

Re: Let's talk 4 year old programs please

DD started Pre K in september - she was 4 1/2. They only offered a 5 day program so I went with that. Its only for 2 1/2 hours per day and its a total PITA. Trying to wrangle a 4 1/2 year old and a 17 month old in and out of the car plus ruining DS's nap times...makes me want to home school.

If we were offered a 3 day week I would have gone with it. I think if you do a 3 day program the days should run concurrently ie, mon, tue, wed etc not mon, wed, friday.

I loved xmas vacation when there was no rush, rush, rush every morning.

Re: Let's talk 4 year old programs please

TJ and Derek will be going to the same school next year.

Derek's program is 2 days a week, TJ will be going 3 (and I have the option of adding a 4th day if I want).

Re: Let's talk 4 year old programs please

DD #1 (she's 3 1/2) currently goes 3 days a week for 2 1/2 hrs.

DD #2 (she's 2) will be going next year also.

I decided to do the 3 day program for BOTH of them, for a couple of reasons...

1). DD #1 will be with the same kids that she's with this year. They all seem to be sticking with 3 days.

2). I'm not ready to send DD #2 5 days a week. And it's easier to keep both of them on the same school schedule right now.

3). Baby #3 is due in June and I can't imagine getting out of the house on time every single day or bundling up 3 kids in the winter every day.

4). The cost seems to be astronomical for 2 kids to go 5 days a week just for 2 1/2 hrs. As it is, I will be paying $400 a month for 3 half days for the two of them.

Re: Let's talk 4 year old programs please

DD is in a universal pre-k program- she goes for 2 1/2 hours 5 days a week and is learning a lot.

She is also super bored when she isn't going- so I think it's good she goes daily.

Re: Let's talk 4 year old programs please

Re: Let's talk 4 year old programs please

DD will be going 12:30-3:30 (unless I add enrichment to extend the day) 4 days/week next year. It's her last year before full day kindergarten. I think only you will know what's best for Jack. Do you think he will need the extra days to help him adjust for the following year? If so, I think Tyler will understand about Jack going more days. You'll have to explain it to him (lots of times) and it may be an adjustment, but I think it will be ok.

Good luck deciding.

Re: Let's talk 4 year old programs please

Re: Let's talk 4 year old programs please

Next year Caden will be going 4 days per week. Their 4 year old program is either 4 days or 5 days. Ive decided that I still want him home 1 day a week for us to have some time together. So that's why Im going to do 4 days instead of 5.

I had 3 options on time....9:00-12, 12:30-3:30, or 10-2:30. He is going 10:00-2:00 now so we're going with the 10:00-2:30.

I love the hours...fits in perfectly with my work schedule. It allows me to get a ton of stuff done.