What is the ideal schedule for a 3 year old?

[Castle]

DD turned 3 in December and just started at a Montessori preschool last week. When I signed her up, it was pretty much left up to me to determine her schedule. They suggested a minimum of 3 days a week, and said the normal day was 8:45 - 3:15, so we signed her up for those hours, Monday, Wednesday and Thursday. Did I pick the right schedule? The hours seem long to me for a 3 - 6 class. Is this the norm? Does Montessori work best going every day for this age range?

She's never been away from me before, so she's been crying some at drop off. I don't know if she'd do better with more days, and less hours maybe if possible?

[spottiew]

Originally Posted by Castle

DD turned 3 in December and just started at a Montessori preschool last week. When I signed her up, it was pretty much left up to me to determine her schedule. They suggested a minimum of 3 days a week, and said the normal day was 8:45 - 3:15, so we signed her up for those hours, Monday, Wednesday and Thursday. Did I pick the right schedule? The hours seem long to me for a 3 - 6 class. Is this the norm? Does Montessori work best going every day for this age range?

She's never been away from me before, so she's been crying some at drop off. I don't know if she'd do better with more days, and less hours maybe if possible?

my school pushed 8:30-1 5days, but i would have preferred the 8:30-3. but then i also had a napper who wouldn't nap after school, so we had to change and have him nap there... without a nap, it would be a long day; but, having done other day cares with 3 days full days, in some ways they were better than the 8:30-1 every day. tho i guess we are used to this now.. but i still wish we had a free day in there somehwere- you can always add as they get older, it's harder to scale back.

[snowmom5]

Our 3-6 class goes 8:30 to 11:30 for three and four year olds, 5 days per week. Only K students stay for lunch and the afternoon. Personally, I think that sending a three year old for a full day program is an awfully long day, though like anything else the right schedule may depend on the child.

Crying at dropoff is another matter, and a certain amount is to be expected for the first couple weeks at that age. (how three year olds handle separation can vary widely among children.) I'd ask for a report from the teacher after a week or two regarding what happens after you're gone. Be patient. I have some fairly sensitive kiddos, including one who at 3.5 y.o. spent several of his first mornings in his montessori classroom sitting in a chair with his eyes closed because he was so upset. If it's any consolation, when it came to their first day of K last fall (each continuing in their same classroom, same teacher), I dropped them off in carline in front of school, and they never even bothered to look back and wave! So much for a picture of the first day of K! (good thing I took one in the driveway)

[Castle]

Thanks for the replies. So I take it there is no "standard" schedule for Montessori 3 - 6?

I do feel 8:45 - 3:15 is long, but as long as DD2 gets used to is, it works out well for us. DD1 just started Montessori 6-9 and her hours are 8:30 - 3:00, about a 10 minute drive away from the preschool. Regarding naps... DD2 gave them up entirely before she turned 2, but yesterday at preschool she took one unprompted! They had to put her in the younger kids' room because her 3 - 6 room doesn't have a nap place. Obviously the long day is tiring her out some, but if she has the option of napping, maybe it'll work out well. But then of course she had trouble falling asleep at her normal time last night.

I'm not concerned about the crying at drop off yet. It's only been one week after all. The teachers are so caring, and they always call within 10 minutes of us dropping off to let us know that she's settled in and happy. And when we peak in before pick up, DD seems really happy.

[MattBronsil]

I'm partial to 5 half days for them at three years old, but if you found a schedule that works well with you and your daughter is adjusting, you might want to keep it.

[Sam75]

Our 3 year old goes full day only because he does not nap at home and he does nap at school. Also they want consistency (M, T, W) rather than M, W, F approach. BUT they are willing to let me send them for 3 full days and 2 half days (8:30-12) for our 5 year old since she is older and wont get too confused, but for our 3 year old they want either half day 5 days a week or full day at least 4 days. So I keep him home on Fridays.

I would have opted half day for our 3 yr old if I lived closer to the school so I can pick them both at different times.