There are numerous factors to consider when choosing a preschool for your family. The proximity to your home and work, the cost, the reputation of the facility, and curriculum philosophy will all likely come into play when making this decision — but your family may also need to take a preschool’s schedule into account.
Whether you and your significant other both work full-time or you’re simply trying to determine what kind of routine would suit your family best, you may have to weigh the pros and cons of a half day preschool versus a full day preschool. Ultimately, there’s no right or wrong here; much of this decision will depend on the needs of your child and of your family. In this post, we’ll talk a bit more about full day and half day preschool programs to help you during this process.
Full Day Preschool May Improve Grade School Readiness
In terms of whether most families favored half day or full day programs, it’s currently at about an even split. Of the three- to five-year-olds who were enrolled in preschool in 2015, about 51% attended full day programs. In some cases, those who attend preschool for the entire day may be in a better position to develop their young minds.
According to select studies that have delved into this topic, data shows that full day preschool programs can help children make major academic gains. This is particularly true when the students in question have underdeveloped literacy, math, and vocabulary skills. One study found that approximately 80% of children who attended full day preschool were at or above national school readiness norms, while approximately 58% of children in half day preschool programs were at or above these levels.
Furthermore, an Ontario-based study from the early 2000s found that full day preschool programs had positive impacts on students’ language and academic learning, as well as parental satisfaction with the programs themselves.
But Half Day Preschool May Be Better For Some Families
Ultimately, the right choice here depends on your child’s unique traits and your own parenting values. Many children fare wonderfully in full day preschool programs. Even if the initial adjustment period is difficult, lots of students flourish with this type of routine. But what works perfectly for one family may not be ideal for another. For parents who are able and want to spend more time with their children during the workweek, or for children who may have a much more difficult time adjusting to that much time away from home, a half day program will still provide a high-quality education.
Regardless of the choice you make, it’s important to know that your child will be able to reap the benefits of preschool programs. Before you begin your search, discuss whether you feel a full day setup will benefit both parents and child or whether you want to seek out half day programs. That way, you’ll prioritize this schedule from the get-go and can focus in on programs that truly fit your family’s criteria.