Hours for Preschool

[MommaShark]

Hi - I was asked to teach at the little preschool co-op here in town...Last year they had all the kids coming for 4 hours - 1-3 days a week......In the developmental preschool's I've taught in the past we've done 2.5 hours for the 2.5-3.5 year olds and 3 hours for the older ones.....I've tried to look at my old teaching books but didn't find a recommendation...but looking at child development - 4 hours seems like a lot. Any ideas?
TIA

[Amys1st]

It could depend on the program. Our coop school has a 2 day program for children 30 mos old by Sept first, so its for the kids who just miss the 3 yr old mark for 3 day preschool. The 2 day runs 9-11am tues thurs
the 3 day class for kids 3 by sept 1 is 9-1130 3 days a week. And of course PreK is 3 days 9-11:30 for kids who will go to kindergarden the following year. But we have a parents day out program (only on thursday)and that is 9-1:30 and includes lunch. Could that be a program you are doing?

[mistymama]

My son did preschool and it was from 9-1, so 4 hours. This included lunch, so often the parents would come early and eat lunch with the kids.

[KyleAnn]

Where ds went last year he did half days which were 8:30-12:30, with the last half hour being lunch time.
At the time he was 4, but even the younger children in the other classes came and went at the same time.

[MommaShark]

I get to choose my hours - so just curious what works/doesn't work for you.

[LauraLoo]

I think it could depend on the expected schedule. For example, some preschools "start" at 12:30, but it's free play/social time until 1 pm when a group activity begins. Then an hour later at 2 pm, it's playground time (getting everyone bundled up, going out, getting unbundled - total of 45 min.) Now it's 2:45 and time for a snack -- wash hands, get snack, clean up. 3:15 time for another activity or two and it's 4:15 and time to clean up and get ready for pick up at 4:30.

Also -- some preschools that go a little longer have naps, too, but I don't see how that could be worked into the schedule.....

[MommaShark]

Some parents want all day - for daycare - yeah I can just see me now nursing my 2.8 year old down in a room full of not napping kids!!!! Heehee - I'm in a very conservative part of CA!