How long is your child's day?

[flyingspaghettimama]

My daughter started at her new Montessori yesterday, which seems to be going very well. She is in third year of primary (she's almost 6, in several months). I assumed she's be going full-day (3pm), but the teacher suggested starting out half-day through lunchtime (1pm) and then letting her make a choice regarding what she'd like to do - stay until 1 or stay through the afternoon/full day. I thought it was a very nice, respectful way to address the issue.

But...I'm so selfish, I want her to come home at 1...and she did seem very tired yesterday at 1, her first day there. She had a great time though, and I don't know if she's missing out on fun by coming home early. Most kindergarteners (her age) in my area go for a full day of school. I am staying at home right now, and will be having a new baby in the house in a few months, so that might affect the situation too.

Does anyone else have primary/elementary aged children? How long does your child stay at school? Have you left the decision up to them?

[AmyParsley]

My daughter is going to be 4 next month. She's in her first year of the 3-6 room. She arrives at 8:15 and is picked up at 11:15. This seems to be plenty of activity for her!

I am worried, though, as I am filling in at my old school (I was a high school teacher before becoming at SAHM) for one quarter, beginning in January. For that quarter, Quinn will not only have to stay at school all day, but stay in the after-school program for an extra 1/2 hour until I can pick her up at 4:30. I'm afraid this will be too much for her. It's only a quarter, but still...:( :( I am torn between doing this job (which I'm really excited about, I love my school and am happy to be back) and making things "easy" for my daughter.