How Old for Full-day (9:00 to 3:00) Preschool?

I think full-day pre-k is a bit much unless both parents are working. There should be a nap/rest time, though. Another thing to consider: how long a day will he have for kindergarten? Some schools are going to full day kindergarten, and some aren't. If he's only going to have half-day kindergarten, do you want him going all day to preschool? Does this same school not offer a shorter day also? Decisions, decisions!

We have full day head start programs here. The kids do fine. They get a nap everyday. The school understand that they are 4. They wouldn't offer it if it didn't work.

I think full-day 9 to 3 starting at age 3 is ideal, like they do in France! 5 days a week. Only there it's free.

A child has to be doing something every minute. So at least at school you know he's not watching TV. He'll be playing, having fun, learning with friends. Just be careful it's a FUN school and not too academic, or long days would not be ideal.
My kids come home from a few hours or all day (we've done it all) and asks WHAT'S NEXT. Kids go, go, go. So now I always do full day. I can't keep up!! But I have 4 all preschoolish age or smaller. No, they won't be wiped out. You might get a nice bedtime routine out of the deal, though.

Our state says kids have to be the age of the class before the first day of school so in Oklahoma your child would not be old enough to start Pre-K. They would still be in preschool and start Pre-k next year.

That said. Our Head Start and other preschool programs are all 8-2 or 2:30. Even pre-K is from 8-2:30. Kindergarten is 8-3.

With nap time and the various recess and snack times they are not really "in class" all that much.

They probably get there, do some circle time, sit at the table for some learning time, do an activity or art work, then have play time. Lunch would be next with nap following for about 1 1/2 to 2 hours asleep. Then up and snacks. Then it's basically time to leave.

It is not really a long day with lots of sitting at a desk like regular classes at school.

My son did 9-3 at his preschool when he was 4, and THRIVED.

He had done 9-1 previously.

Then he went into K, and tanked.

It's less about how many hours the day is, and a LOT MORE about what their schedule is during the day.

My creiteria for preschool (and school itself, for that matter) is simple:

Safe
Fun
Interesting

It's amazing how many schools only get 2 out of 3. :P

Point being... if the school is safe, fun, and interesting... he'll have a blast. If it's only 2 out of 3, it will be a veeeeeeery long day.

Totally depends on the program and how they're set up. Playtime, rest time, food, curriculum, teachers, ethos.

sounds fine.
our K is full day 9 - 3:30 so kids that are already used to the longer days do better, are less tired.

Both my kid's did a 1/2 day pre-school but I think my daughter would have been fine with a full day one. I know my son wouldn't have been able to handle it because he needed a couple of naps. When my daughter started kinder, every 3 or 4 weeks she would have one day where she would come home from school at 3, take a nap and sleep until the next morning. I worried about her the first couple of times and then realized that her body just needed that extra rest once a month, and then she was caught up. In anycase, you know your child and the school. You'll make the right decision.

I would be surprised (shocked, really) if the school had kids sitting down learning academic or religious stuff for 6 hours. I suspect there is play time, outdoor time, snack and lunch time, nap time, etc. So, no. Six hours is not too much time.

Now, if they really are drilling them for 6 hours, then that's too much.

I know plenty of people who do a 9 - 3 schedule, or even longer, for their preschoolers. Many do it because both parents work, but others do it because they really like the school (one of the Montessori schools near my home is very popular and doesn't offer a part time program). If you really like the school, I think your son will be fine in a 9-3 program. Hopefully there is still plenty of free play time, a chance to run around outside, and a rest/nap period.

Some Pre-K are half days while some are full days. Those that are full days normally have nap/rest period so they are too tired at the end of the day. At first it is an adjustments. In your area, if K is full day I would think it would be a easy way to transition to starting school full day without the pressures of up and on the bus before 8 am and a long bus ride home. My daughter gets out of school (Pre-K) at 2:50 pm and we have time to get things done.

My husband and I both work full time. My 2 year old and 4 (next week) year old, go from about 6:30-6:45 until 3:30-4pm five days per week. Many other children are in the same boat. The schools provide fun activities as well as academic preparation which in my opinion is better than a straight day care (why I put my 2 year old in preschool already).

If your son gets home by 3:30 you still have some time to do homework, play, make dinner and do the bet time routine.

My daughter goes 830-5, 3 days a week & loves it!!! She's 3 1/2!!!

My son is a Sept 29th baby too! The month of his 4th birthday, he started per-K at Jewish preschool 5 days a week from 9 to 3. He loved it. They gave them a nap/rest time in the afternoon but I didn't want him to nap because he wouldn't go to sleep at night. It's a good idea to do the full 5 days because it gets them ready for Kindergarten which will be basically the same schedule (our Kindergarten is part of the elementary school and it is 8 to 2:30). My son did preschool 3 days a week in the same school from 9 to 3 and he did daycare some days from 8 to 6. He was fine and he loved being with the other kids! Hope this helps!

My husband and I both work, so our daughter (will be four on Oct. 24) is in preschool from about 8-4 every day. She loves school and does just fine. I think it all depends on your school's schedule. At my daughter's school, they play outdoors from 8-9, "class" is from 9-11:45, 11:45-12:30 is lunch, 12:30-2:30 is nap, 2:30-4 is play outdoors. They have indoor play prior to 8am if we were to take her earlier.

We still do stuff with her in the afternoon and she's not wiped out, although she does sleep better than when we had her in a home daycare where she was inside (and the only child there) most of the day. She loves playing with her friends and is so proud of the schoolwork she brings home.

It depends on the family and the child, but many children do just fine with a full-time full day program. I think in CA, it's mandated that the children be allowed to nap in the afternoon, so he really won't be doing school "work" all day if he's still a napper.

My son has attended a full-time full-day (Montessori) program since he was 22 months old. He's 4 1/2 yrs old now. School hours are 8:30-2:45. At his school, the children are required to complete a 3 hour morning "work cycle" until 11:30, but during that time, there's still song time, story time, time for self-initiated snack and even rest. My son still naps, and nap time is from 12:45-2:45. The non-nappers have an afternoon "work cycle" that includes weekly "field trips" to the local library. On top of that, there are enrichment classes 3 x week from 3:00-3:30, so he's really in "school" from 8:30-3:30. He still has time for afterschool playdates 1-2 x week and the various sports lessons he loves. And we still make it home for dinner at 5:30.

A full time program seemed too much for a 2 year old to me, so my 2 yr old daughter will start at a different school next month, still "full day" but only 3 x week. the afternoon is just nap time anyway. She's so much more independent, mature and capable than her brother so would probably handle a full week program better than him. Since I'm at home now, I'm having too much fun playing with her for now! She'll transition to full week by the time she's 3 1/2 - 4.

Hope this helps.

It would probably depend on the program. My kids went to a full day pre-k, and then full day kinder at a Catholic school when they were 4 and then 5. The program focused on play and socialization but still taught. The kids wuld ahve reading time, craft time, social time where they would go into a playroom they shared with kindergarten (alternate times of course). They had nap time. My kids learned their basic colors, letters, numbers. They learned how to hold a pencil and crayon. They practiced their personal info like name address and phone. In Kinder, this was all strengthened and expanded into site words and such like you would expect. They also had computer classes 2 times per week. My kids did well and were not worn out.

I think it's too long of a day for that age. I know it's your top pick but there has to be another option you'd be happy with as well, afterall, it is only pre-k and if you attend religious services weekly, I don't think it's necessary to have your child spend that many hours away from you.

I honestly wouldn't do a full day pre-k, period.

Unless your son currently naps he should do well at a good school all day.
A good preschool will change back and forth between active play, calm activities, time for listening, and just as much time for talking, a balance of teacher directed and student centered, outdoor or large motor area for rainy days, a rest or quiet time. Check out the school, know the facility and the schedule. Yes I'd expect him to be tired at the end of the day.

Hello,
just curious why so many people think that kids should start these things at younger ages just because they are going to be going to kindergarten some day? Can't kids just start when they are supposed to start? Then when they are older and ready to start school (or not, some aren't even ready at 5 or 6) they can adjust to it when they HAVE to adjust to it. Just my opinion of course ( :