is 2 long days at preschool a week too awkward?

[SweetPotato]

My dd (4.5) just spent two months doing MWF preschool from 1-3:30pm, and we both loved it. I may have the opportunity to start getting back into my career PT, which I was really excited about until I learned that I would need to work T 8am-2pm and Th 8am-12pm. I'm a little concerned about how dd would do with such long stretches away from me in such a stimulating environment- and with the irregularity of it only being twice a week. If I get offered the position, I think I may try to change the times (which might not be possible)-- but would probably still be looking at 4 hour chunks twice a week. Any thoughts? There's a nursery school on site, so we'll likely tour there this week and see how they structure the day. It's possible that I could have a friend pick her up at 12 on Tuesdays and take her home to have lunch and play with her kids for the last 2 hours- that would break up her day a bit. Then again- having lunch with school friends might be a big treat as well. I just really don't know how she'd do with such a schedule, and if I take the job then we pretty much HAVE to stick it out through at least the fall semester (schedules would likely change again in the spring). I need help sorting this through!

[cjam]

Unless she's really sensitive, I think it would be no issue. My kids went to daycare for two days a week at an even younger age and they were there all day. My oldest who was 3-4 years old at the time, LOVED it. Absolutely loved it. My youngest was 2-3 and she has a more introverted personality. I wouldn't say that she loved it as much as DD1 but she certainly enjoyed herself. I say go for it. It sounds like the best of both worlds for all involved. My kids thrived on that schedule. They got ample mommy time and lots of good peer interaction and stimulation beyond what I could do at home. I got some kid-free time that allowed me to miss them, making our time together even more special.

[elmh23]

[sunnygir1]

Yeah, my dd has done well on the 2-3 day daycare schedule. Her days have always been 5-9 hours long...longer on average as she has gotten older.

Last summer, when she was 2.5, she went two days for probably 7 hours while I worked. She went through some phases of being sad at drop off and pick up times, and even had a week or two where she was sad during the day sometimes, but it passed and she has done very well. She loves daycare. She is currently going 3 days for 6-8 hours a day, and is doing great.

Incidentally, this is her last week, and then I will have her home while I do childcare for a couple friends in our home. It should be an interesting transition.