All Day Kindergarten?

This will be my 8th year teaching kindergarten. Only one of those years was half day, the rest all full day kindergarten. I can tell you that most kids are just fine with full day kindergarten. Most kids now attend daycare and are used to being away from home during the day. A lot of parents work during the day so if their child is in half day kindergarten, they'd have to go somewhere for care for the rest of the day anyway. During half day kindergarten my days were do rushed, we really didn't get much accomplished. The kids are able to learn so much more now. They still get to rest and to play, so it is not all work. Some of the kids are really tired when school begins, but so am I! Once they get into the routine it is just fine.

I went to all day kindergarten which was from 7:30am until 2:45. We had a 'recess' which was eating pretzels & drinking juice, a play time, as well as a nap time. I remember liking it for the most part. Your childs not learning too much really. At my school it was still an overview of pre-k with a bit of new material.

My daughter went to an all day kindergarten- It is the only thing offered here in this school district- She also went to a half-day pre-school for 2 years- to get her into the habit of playing with other kids her age- and making friends- So by the time Kindergarten rolled around she was ready for the all-day- I think it was great- She loved it- I don’t know any kids who went to a half day- so I can only comment that the all-day was fine.

I think it depends on the child. Especially if your kid hasn't been in daycare or preschool, I think all day kindergarten would be a little too much for them, just because they're not used to being away from home that long. However, for a child who has been in daycare and such, I think all day kindergarten would be fine. I know a few kids who are in half-day kindergarten that don't seem to be learning anything because they are just starting to get in the swing of things by the time it's time to go home. So I guess it also depends on learning style and how long it takes your kid to get into it.

I prefer half-day. I think kids at that age still need a lot of time at home with the family.