OT: AM or PM Kindergarten?

[Fintastic]

We don't have full-day Kindergarten here, so we have two options. AM K is from 9:00 - 12:00 PM, and PM K is from 12:00 - 3:00 PM. In the registration packet we're allowed to request which slot we'd like, although there's no guarantee that we'll get what we want. Under normal circumstances I'd much prefer AM Kindergarten; it keeps us in the routine of going somewhere every morning and it's over early enough that we still have a good chunk of the day for errands or appointments or whatever.

However, baby #2 is due two weeks before Kindergarten starts. I'm worried about being up with the baby all night and then having to rush off to get DD to school. It might be more practical to have PM K, but then again, I'd still be up with DD whether or not she was going to school.

Suggestions?

 

[CherylA]

Both have their benefits. My kids were in AM because I worked and it is easier to find afternoon care than someone to watch them in the AM. If it really doesn't matter just let the school choose for you. One nice thing about PM kindergarden atleast here in the NE is that they don't miss as much school for things like snow delays.

 

[mjkacmom]

My 2 oldest went to morning kindy, and then I discovered how wonderful PM kindy is with my other 3! First of all, classes are usually smaller, and calmer. I could never seem to get my act together in the mornings, so I would drop the kids off at school, and THEN either do the treadmill or shower. By the time the house was straightned, I was dressed and ready, it was time for pick-up. Now, with morning kindy, my 3 oldest walk to school, I go on the treadmill, get ready for the day, drop off my twins, and I'm raring to go. Plus, malls don't open until 10, and our kindy ends at 11:30, so I could rarely go. There are also more SAHM's here in afternoon kindy, since the WOH moms need mornings for aftercare. So, someone to go to the park with.

 

[Fintastic]

I currently work full time (but we're trying to budget me staying home for a year with the new one) so that's why it appeals to me to get out of the house for AM K. We're used to that already and I'm afraid that if we go with the PM class, DD will have a hard time when first grade rolls around. I'm already worried that she'll be bored or have a hard transition from being in daycare for eight hours a day to Kindergarten for only three hours.

 

[zoemurr]

I loved PM for my oldest. We could get a late start and be fine. The main reason I loved it though was that we could still do everything we were already doing... storytime at the lib, playgroups, etc. were always in the am. There seemed to be much more available for her age group in the morning for Mommy/me type of activities. And yes, the class was much smaller (I'm thinking it was 14 kids pm and 20 am?)

My son went in the am, but it didn't matter much since I had to get his sister up and out anyway.. as for her schedule, you'd have all summer to regroup if she ends up sleeping in some next year. I'd think with a new baby you'd really apreciate the extra time in the morning.

Our only real drawback was special activities at school. If they had a puppet show, or visiting author or such, it was usually only offered in the morning and she missed it. She was sensitive to that stuff, but I know many kids wouldn't care. And there were a few snow days that only pm K missed school.. guess that could be a + or a - .

You said you'd still be up with her.. I'd start a routine where she can get up by herself and make a quick snack, and knows what activities she is allowed to do if you are still sleeping. By 5 my kids could get up and entertain themselves if I was still asleep.

 

[tloveswdw]

Deff. morning for us! I find it much easier to get four children up, fed, and out to school, (then run errands with the littles etc), then to wait around, and mess up naps for PM. My two boys were AM preschool, too... and I have had two more babies, with them in school... and had no issues at all. (infact my youngest born a year ago yesterday, was born on a Wed morning at home and I took everyone to school Friday myself )

 

[roliepolieoliefan]

My kids did PM pre-school, DS went to all -day kindergarten. I just registered DD for kindergarten for September and chose AM. Though everyone chooses AM around here so its a crap shoot whether I get it or not.

My son will be in 5th grade next year and I figure we're up anyway with him so I mind as well put her in AM.

If she was my oldest with a baby I would choose PM though just like I did with my son for pre-school when DD was an infant. It will be hard with a newborn, give your self extra time in the AM. Why rush around and make yourself crazy.

 

[ChristyBey]

As a 5th year kindergarten teacher, my experience is that kids learn sooooo much more in the mornings than in the afternoons. Of course, it varies by the child, but by far the majority of my students are able to focus better and get more out of their mornings than their afternoons. If I was sending my child this year, I would probably send them in the morning.

 

[Sophie_2003]

We are just finishing preK and did mornings. As it started in Sept I was happy to do mornings and get ready for next year's routine of full days.

However I was more limited in what I could do. if I had taken PM I would have had more time to run errands (many stores only open at 10am), do lunch with some friends, enjoy the outdoors more in a winter climate when it gets warmer on the PM. So I basically went to the gym...

 

[LisaNJ25]

In your situation I would do pm. This way it wold give you some more time in the morning if you have a rough night with the baby.

I have one starting all day kindergarten in the fall and my other will be in half day pre-k. I requested am for him since I have to get the others to school early. They both did pm pre-school this year.

 

[DisneyNic]

As a 5th year kindergarten teacher, my experience is that kids learn sooooo much more in the mornings than in the afternoons. Of course, it varies by the child, but by far the majority of my students are able to focus better and get more out of their mornings than their afternoons. If I was sending my child this year, I would probably send them in the morning.

I was thinking the same thing. I am not a teacher, but I do work at a daycare center and even there, there is a definite difference in the children's attention spans between morning and afternoon. It seems that the mornings go a lot smoother and more organized, but after lunch.......watch out!! Those sweet little children from this morning, now have the look of evil in their eyes.

 

[PollyannaMom]

As a 5th year kindergarten teacher, my experience is that kids learn sooooo much more in the mornings than in the afternoons. Of course, it varies by the child, but by far the majority of my students are able to focus better and get more out of their mornings than their afternoons. If I was sending my child this year, I would probably send them in the morning.

Ours is assigned by neighborhoods (it switches back and forth each year) so we ended up with afternoons. I was very nervous at first, because I've always agreed with the above, and would have chosen mornings. But we did end up finding things to like about it.


Since you get to request, though, I thought of 2 things that might factor in for you - is DD still used to a nap (or rest-time) at day care, in which case mornings might be better for her?

And is SHE going to be waking up in the night (if she's a light sleeper or her room is right next to the baby's) - in which case afternoons might be better so she can sleep in a bit?


Good luck! And best advice of all: once it's decided, don't think about it any more! - There will be something good about either way!

 

[poohguys]

I would go with PM just in case baby keeps everyone up at night. In our town it is assigned by what side of town you live on. We were on the PM side. DS was up and at the sitters house by 7 every morning anyways. We were lucky that sitter was on same side of town so the bus would pick him up and drop him off at her house. He did not go to pre school and did not have any trouble adjusting when he went in to 1st grade.

 

[mom2princessj]

Well if it were me I'd always choose AM...you could sleep with baby while dd is in school.
My kids are morning kids so PM wouldn't work for us. My dd is going full day so it doesn't matter but had I not been able to get full day I would have chosen AM. Both kids have done AM preschool...I guess its all what your child is used to. You know her best so if you think she learns better in the morning I'd send her then...if she's adaptable and not tired or grouchy in the afternoons then send her in PM.

Good luck whatever you decide!

 

[abcboys]

Our kindergarten was full time but when they were in preschool I did PM and it was awesome cause we could play in the morning and after I took DS to preschool I would come home and baby would take a nap so I had quiet afternoons. I know this won't be the case yet with a newborn but it worked awesome for us.

 

[kinntj]

It really depends on your child and what's a priority to you. If your child is better in the mornings with attitude and learning I'd probably stick her in AM to get better results. I don't know if I would pick AM or PM based on what I wanted to do, like sleep in and such. If your child is fine either way, then I would chose based on what's more convenient.

We didn't get to pick because it's based on where you live. We're always PM in this neighborhood and my DD did just fine.

This year they have 3 pilot full day classrooms and 6 sessions of 1/2 day, so we picked 1/2 day and we'll automatically get PM.

DD was fine when transitioning from PM K to all day 1st grade. There's an adjustment anyway from 1/2 to full day, so it's not so bad. She napped the first 2 weeks of school in 1st grade when she got home; which the teacher says is normal.

Good luck and Congratulations!

 

[Marshay]

I have a 7 week old baby and another girl who will turn 4 in July. The latter goes to preschool in the AM, 2x/week.

All I can say is that I'm sooooo thankful for my DH. There is absolutly no way I could get DD3 ready for preschool in the morning and: nurse, pump, shower, breakfast, get dressed (all for me) and dress and eat for DD3 in the AM.

Somehow it all comes together by 11am-12noon, so I wish her preschool was in the PM.

I highly recommend you do PM Kindergarten if it's going to be up to you to get everyone going in the morning (and you won't have any help).

Remember there is no such thing as a schedule for a newborn. Sometimes my baby is up at 5 and 7am and other times 4am and 8am, other times 6 and 7:30am to be nursed.

I can't imagine getting your older child ready and nursing at the same time.

 

[tloveswdw]

I can't imagine getting your older child ready and nursing at the same time.

that is funny, cause I can't imagine not nursing and getting everything/everyone ready everyday/night I guess four children all spaced two years apart will do that to you

GL with your kindy choice; it will work out fine, as long as you have a great attitude to share with your student

 

[MJAJmom]

We have a full day kindergarten here from 7:45am to 2:45pm. My son is in K right now. All the kids are much more alert, eager and fresh in the morning. By afternoon, they get more fidgety and cranky because they are more tired. My personal choice for my kids would always be classes in the morning.

 

[Fintastic]

DH will be out of the house by 7:00 AM every day at the latest, so it'll be totally up to me to set up some kind of school routine. He has a long commute. I'd love it if he was able to drop DD off on his way to work, that would be great. But I doubt his boss would like him showing up at 10:00 AM every day.