Edamommy needs to go with her gut on this. Someone is recommending 4-5 WHOLE DAYS for a 4 year old? My sister - who taught nursery school for more than 25 years - tells me that kids should not still be crying by spring. I'd look into a different school and think about 3 mornings.

Good lord. The poor kid's going to be in an institutional setting for 15-20 years. Can't she have just a little bit more freedom before putting her in school?

I think 4-5 half days per week are a great transition for kindergarten. Kindergarten is serious school now and not like it used to be when I was in kindergarten. The 1/2 days still give the freedom to have fun before "real" school kicks in.

The time we have with them goes by so fast - I'd go with less school if that's what both you and she seem to want. You are the expert here! If she's not prepared for kindergarten she can always go to preschool 5 days next year and just start school a year late. You'll have more time to enjoy each other.

I work part-time and had to pay for full-time daycare and nursery school. My older son was always ready to come home as soon as I could get him. I assumed my younger son would feel the same way, but if I showed up after nap time he would say, "We haven't had snack yet." I'd come a little later, and he'd say, "But it's time for free play!" Eventually I increased my hours at work from half-time to three-quarters time because he was obviously so happy to be at his school. I think you have to go by the individual child's needs.

My kids LOVE "daycare/school". I started both of them when they were 2. My son turned 4 last week and goes 4 days a week from 7:45 to 5:30. My daughter turned 2 in April and goes 3 days a week same hours. At that age, there are learning centers, crafts, singing, dancing, letter and number activites, outside play, time in the gym and so much more. They love going to be with their friends and teachers and even askon the weekends if they can go to school today.

I personally respect parents choice but think it is a great option especially with kids who have a zest for learning and being with other children. Many parents don't have a choice and have to work which requires them to go this route. In the not so distant future, I think we will see public school making pre-k for 4 year olds mandatory instead of needs based.

While kids do have to endure a solid 13+ years in school from kindergarten on, these 2, 3 and 4 year old classes are so much more about learning to play well with others, learning about respecting other people, sharing, etc that it's not fair to compare "fun learning" with the years to come.

I sent my daughter for that amount of time and it made an easier transition for kindergarten. Though Edamommy's daughter is having a bit of difficulty when mom leaves, this separation is better done now in the nurturing environment of preschool than in kindergarten.

You should go with what feels right for you (and your child's father/co-parent, who really should also be included in this decision). But, you should recognize that your choice may make it much harder for your daughter in kindergarten.

If that's a lower priority for you, then keep her home more now. If you are concerned that a lack of socialization with other kids in a non-parentally supervised setting and her clinginess will cast a negative tone as she is first introduced to school, then send her to preschool more time during the week.

My son just started elementary school this year, and I can tell you that the kids are pretty hard on "crybabies" who have trouble with separation, tending to ostracize them in their little social groupings despite the best efforts of the teachers. You do want your daughter to start school with a positive attitude, and the advice from the preschool teacher...who has probably seen many, many children develop, is something that you and your husband/partner/co-parent should carefully take into account, not just your personal preferences.

If you are conflicted about preschool, you are probably transmitting this to your daughter. Her crying may be due to your sensing your feelings and reacting to them. If you choose to send her for more time during the week, try to have a positive attitude about it, at least for her sake. If you don't think you can control your feelings, and your and your partner decide to send her more days a week, consider having your husband/spouse/boyfriend drop her off -- it may be less traumatic for her.

2 days a week is great. I send my twins, not yet 4, 2 full days because, honestly, it works well for my schedule. I think half days would be better, but I need the extra time. I just recently debated increasing to 3 whole days, but my emotions won out. They are little for such a short amount of time and they are learning so much at this age. I want to be the one to teach them. Nobody is as good as Mommy and Daddy.

Anyone have experience with sending their child to preschool for 4 or 5 days out of the week? I'm a single mother and need to work full time and am finding it really difficult to find a good daycare, so I was wondering if a longer preschool schedule would be alright for my daughter.

From the original topic: The director thinks she would do better with more time there.

Never ask a barber if you need a haircut.