2 or 3 days a week of preschool for a 3.5 year old?

[snoopy5386]

DD2 will be going to preschool next fall and I keep waffling on whether to send her 2 or 3 days a week, I just can't decide. She's my youngest, seems very ready for school, will go to preschool 5 days a week when she is 4.5 and then full day kindy when she is 5.5. Preschool is 3 hours a day, and it would either be Tuesday/Thursday or Monday/Wednesday/Friday. Price difference is minimal, so that isn't an issue.

I'll admit, I'm having a hard time with the idea letting my baby go, letting this part of our life come to an end. When my oldest was this age she did a one morning a week program and a 2 day homeschool preschool co-op where I was with her the entire time, so this is a different experience this go-around.

How many days a week did you send your 3 year old to preschool?

 

[jenluvs2go2disney]

My youngest DS started school when he was 2. He went 2 days a weeks in a 2's class. He went 2 days a week in a 3's class. Now he is in PreK (4's) and goes 4 days a week, 4 hours a day. Next year, he will be in full day kindergarten.

I just had him go 2 days when he was 3, but he would have liked going 3. I also had him in another activity on an off day when his older brother was at school. If you have her in something else on an off day, then I would say, just do 2 days. My youngest loves to play at home. I could have put him in 5 days in prek, but chose 4 because he will be gone all day next year.

My oldest also went 2 days a week, but I would have put him in 3 days, but there were no spaces left in the 3 day. I didn't really have a decision with him.

 

[scottish mum]

My oldest 2 went 3 mornings a week when they were 3, youngest one went 4 mornings a weeks at age 3.

 

[Dawson's Mom]

My oldest is 4 and he went 2 days a week last year(he was 3). I think going 3 days a week would have been better for him, transition wise, for this year he goes 4 days a week. Next year he will be in all day K. He loves school, we are having a snow day today and he's the only one sad there's no school today So I think your 3.5 year old would be just fine in 3 day a week preschool, and maybe the transitions in the next year won't be so hard. Good Luck

 

[mymickeyfans]

My 3.5 year old goes 4 days a week (2.5 hours/day). Next year she'll go 5 days then on to full day kindergarten. She loves pre school!

 

[mjkacmom]

I'd say do the three day program. It seems to be a better transition with less days off. One of our preschools was only mon/tues for the first year. Kids who were having a hard time with separation anxiety really struggled for most of the monday class. All of my kids had 2 - 3 years of preschool, and loved it.

 

[Bibbidi]

I am a former preschool teacher of 3 year olds. The preschool where I worked has a two day a week program for the three year olds, but I taught an extra "3rd day of enrichment" for parents who wanted 3 days instead. Here is my personal opinion--nearly all of the kids who were in the "extra" day class were there because their parents wanted more time to themselves. The kids were happy to be there, but one extra day wasn't going to make any big difference academically or socially for kids that age. They will all still have another year of preschool before kindergarten. Also, kids really do grow up SO fast. Do you really want to send your child off for another day of preschool, or would you rather have that time with him/her at home? When my youngest, who is now 9, was entering the 4's preschool class I had the choice of a 3 or 4 day program. I went with the 3 day because the next year she would be going to kindergarten and I really didn't want to give up any more time with her than I had to. So if it were me, I would choose the 2 day program for my 3 year old. They're only little once and the time goes too fast!

 

[loweschickie]

My DD went to school for 2 days a week for age 3 and now that she's 4 she goes 3 days a week. I think it worked perfect for us. It eased her into school and I still got my time with her I may be selfish but she's my little girl and they grow too quickly. Next thing you know they are a senior in high school! Believe me I have one graduating too this year

 

[msmama]

I started my son at 2 (2 1/2 really) in a 2 day program, then at 3 he did 3 days and now at 4 he's doing 5 days (all just half days really).

Things to think about: You know your child best - will just doing 2 days be too much "off" time in between? Thursday to the next Tuesday is a lot of time and some kids have trouble adjusting so it's like the first day of school every week. If she's more go with the flow she may not have that problem.

How does she do with new people? If she's slow to warm up then maybe the consistency of 3 days is better because she sees them more.

Are there any other issues to worry about? Speech? Anything like that, I would recommend more time in school so more time she can get help?

I think, personally, it's a toss-up and for most kids doesn't really matter at that age, but...things worth thinking about. Good luck whatever you decide!

 

[ckquan]

When my DD was 3, I sent her to preschool 2 days/week. After she turned 4, the preschool teacher asked if I would consider increasing her preschool schedule. She explained that going to preschool more regularly would help her be prepared for going to Kindergarten everyday. DD loves it that she gets to go to preschool more often.

 

[lillykat]

I think it depends on the kid but if you think your DC can do it I say go for the 3 day. This way 3 days for 3 yr olds, 4 days for 4 yr old, full time for 5 year old.

But I think you have to take the child into account. That worked for my older DD. She did 3 days for 3's program, 4 days for the 4's and now is in full day Kindergarten. My younger DD is 3.5 and goes 4 mornings 2.5 hours a day. Next year it will be 4 days 4 yr program and one day enrichment for total 5 days 3 hours a day. She loves it and needs it. She is a May birthday.

 

[puffkin]

My DS was in FT Daycare/preschool so he was there 5 days a week from 7:30-5 everyday. I lost my job when he was 4 but we still scrimped elsewhere to keep him there for mornings only 5 days a week until I was able to find another job and he went back to FT. My DS thrives so much better on routine. He liked going to school every day and seeing his friends and then getting mommy time in the afternoon. I liked having the freetime to myself to get all my errands/chores done so that we could have real quality time together in the afternoons.

When he started Kindergarten (full day here) he had zero transitions issues. It was actually easier for him than daycare because it was a shorter amount of time. I don't think it will make a huge difference for your DD academically but there is a long time between a Thursday and a Tuesday. Then if they miss one of those days (holiday, weather, sick) it is only once a week. We wanted school to be routine for DS and not something here or there to build good life habits. He really has a good sense of school (his job), sports (leading a healthy lifestyle), and fun (his free/playtime).

 

[Ginny Favers]

Definitely depends on the kid. My 3 year old is in preschool all day, from 8 until 3, and I pick her up from the afterschool program at 4:45. She LOVES it and rarely wants me to pick her up when it's over. But she is hugely social and independent and wants to do everything before everyone else-- she can even do things that her 6 year old sister can not, like tie her shoes.

 

[sesame_123]

I say 3 days would be better. At that age any change in the schedule can be difficult and only going 2 days will mess up both the school schedule and the home schedule. The more days at school the easier it will be for the child to understand and learn the school schedule which will help him/her feel more secure and be able to learn more. Plus if the child is there more then the teacher has more time to learn the individual child's wants and needs. My DS was 2 1/2 when we started him in the 3 year old class with some speech issues and having him go 3 days was the best for him. His teachers have had enough interaction with him that they are able to interpret his "speech" and he is better behaved since we switched him to 3 days (we had him only going twice to begin with). Each child is different so do what you feel is best.

 

[DharmaLou]

My DD has gone full-day 5 days a week to Montessori since she turned 3. I would say start with 3 days and as she gets older transition to 5 so she is ready for K.

 

[snoopy5386]

OP here I sent in the forms yesterday for the 3 day program. Hopefully it will go well once the fall comes.