3 or 4 days a week for preschool?

[lisap]

DD is almost 3 and she is starting M next week. The director says that they no longer offer 3 days b/c they felt it did not benefit the child. Any thoughts?

[nonconformnmom]

My nearly 3 yo started Montessori preschool last year and we did 4 days a week from the start. It worked out great for us. She is going 4 days a week again this year.

[Lillianna]

I agree with your director, I believe that the child benefits more from the experience if it is consistent for 4 or 5 days in a row.

[OnTheBrink]

If you do 3 days, I think it's super important that they are 3 consecutive days for consistency. So, not MWF, but maybe MTW or TWTh or something. That's what we did my daughter's first year in M (when she was 3). Last year (at age 4) we did 4 mornings. This year she is officially in Kindergarten and there 5 full days. She did great with the transition!

[lisap]

Thanks mamas! We are going to do 3 days (TWTh) for a couple of months and then transition her to 4 days.

[Melda]

Our M school does not even offer anything other than a 5 day a week program. She offers 2 lengths though. A 8-11 or a 8-2:30 . Both my kiddos (5 and 2 almost 3) go the full length because the school is a drive for me and My son is in K so he has to go a full day. I have always heard the same thing about the 3 day a week program.

[ltr]

I'm paying how much a month for 3 days/week (M W F) and it's not benefiting my child? He is 3 1/2 and just starting out in Montessori. This is his second week, so it's hard to say, but he tells me that he likes it.
I understand about consistency, but since he does not go all 5 days or 3 in a row, it does not benefit him? Please, someone tell me it does!

[OnTheBrink]

Originally Posted by ltr

I'm paying how much a month for 3 days/week (M W F) and it's not benefiting my child? He is 3 1/2 and just starting out in Montessori. This is his second week, so it's hard to say, but he tells me that he likes it.
I understand about consistency, but since he does not go all 5 days or 3 in a row, it does not benefit him? Please, someone tell me it does!

I certainly think he benefits! But the idea is that he might benefit MORE if it was more consistent. Is 3 in a row an option?

[Flor]

Our school just dropped the 3 day a week option this year, too. Ds is going 4 days 8-12.

[charmander]

My DD is almost three as well, and will also be starting Montessori preschool next week. At this school, they only have a 4 or 5 day option. I chose the 4 day option for her. It is from 9-12:30. To me, that sounds just about right.

[ltr]

They do have 3 in a row, but it was new for this year and we were not offered that option.

He will be going 5 days/week next year at 4 years old. I felt at 3, 5 days was a little much for a 3 year old, not only for him, but for us financially. I will be done with school and working next year so we will better able to afford 5 days.

Am I wasting the extra $$ for Montessori by sending him only every other day?