Half-day kindergarten is my first pick, but I am a stay at home mom and my child will have two years of half day preschool completed by then. I think it is great that there are options for everyone to choose what is best for their child and family situation.

We live in Montgomery but our kids go to Yorkville schools. To my knowledge they do not offer full day programs and I am VERY disappointed in this. I feel it should an option to some children, if not ALL. My son is in 1st grade this year and was MORE than ready for full day last year. :(

Well, for me, it's a no-brainer. Full-day is the way to go. Unless a parent is planning on also running a mini school in their house complete with stimulating activities and social outlets, then I'm not sure what the half-day advantage would be other than more time with your kid (who will probably just watch TV or play Wii during the extra time - or annoy you at the grocery store). I completely get wanting your kid to never grow up and the desire to keep them with you and innocent a few more hours for one more year, but the benefits of full-day clearly outweigh the extra face time in my opinion (studies show that kids come out of full-day kindy ahead and although that extra foot up can be lost, it is a chance for kids and parents to roll with it). And with the additional activities (art, music, physical education), it is way more than kids would likely get at home with mom or dad. Full-day all the way.

I am all for full day kindergarten. I actually was quite surprised to learn that 129 did not have full day when we moved to Aurora. That year, our second child would attend kindergarten at Freeman. He did do well in half day, I must say, so I do not think that those few hours can make or break the learning process. Some parents or teachers may disagree. My first child to enter kindergarten went to a Batavia school and they did provide full day. Now a third child will be entering and I am sure that he will be able to acclimate real well. Our fourth will soon follow. None of my children went to formal preschool. I had my first daughter in day care while attending college. I do hear that some children may have a difficult time being in school all day if they had not been in some kind of previous schooling. I could see parents wanting half day if that is the case. What are the pros and cons or benefits with both options?

Karen's situation sounds nearly identical to mine, and I also would prefer half-day kindergarten for my daughter. There are so many years of full-day school in her future, so many sack lunches, so many instructions to follow. I'd like her to be able to enjoy the freedom of childhood for as long as possible.

In addition to preschool, we do a lot of workbooks, educational games, and projects at home. And there are so many wonderful options now for all different kinds of classes and programs that you can sign up for through the park district or private studios. I'd rather take the opportunity to enroll Isabella in an activity that she's shown interest in and explore that than have her spending more time at school - at least at this age.

Karen, I'm glad you're here!

Marissa, as I write this I'm listening to Isabella playing in the other room. She's sitting in a box, surrounded by an odd assortment of toys and cast-off kitchen containers, laughing, singing, and clearly enjoying the opportunity to Imagine. While she certainly enjoys playing with her peers, LOVES preschool, and I'm sure will enjoy kindergarten as well, she still benefits from this unstructured free playtime.

You better go check and make sure it's not the cat box. Scratch scratch. :)

I'm a teacher (taking time off to raise my kids), and I completely disagree that most kids are at the same place by second grade. IMO, full day K is essential for at-risk kids. (Meaning kids whose parents are NOT debating the pros and cons of half-day vs. full day.) And although Nora is not at risk in any meaning of the word, she will go to full day because I think that's what's best for her. She would thrive at home too, but to me kindergarten is the beginning of formal education, and the time for her to do activities with me is now. Luckily, I have one more year to make this decision, but I don't think I will change my mind.
That being said, I am glad that there is an option for parents who feel differently.

And Steph, I agree that unstructured playtime is important. That's why I am not a proponent of much homework in the primary grades.

My daughter will be going to full-day Kindergarten next year but not fully by my choice. She's on the Autism Spectrum and her Early Childhood teachers all recommend her for a program that is full-day. In our district (Kaneland) full-day is not an option.

Personally I feel like kids need to be kids. It's one year - like Steph said - they will be in the all-day schedule soon enough and for long enough.

Maybe I haven't been a mom long enough, but I think half-days are enough at this level. It's Kindergarten! I remember cutting shapes and glueing and coloring pictures - I don't think they need to be prepping for their SATs right now (and yes, I am joking).

My second child will definitely do half-day (if it is a choice for her in three years). I don't think it's because I want to hold onto her as my "baby". I think it's because before I know it she will be in school full days and life's too short.

i spoke with a kindergarten teacher in Missouri who has half and full day in her school. She said she is not able to do instructional or academic curriculum in the afternoon in order to keep the classes together. I don't know if that is a state, district rule or if it is the same here. If it is the same here then really what you're getting is daycare, which is what she said it was there. It may be different ehre though. I think it is a persomal choice as well and certain kids who are developmentally delayed or whose parents are not home anyway would do well to be there all day. I think the average kid with a parent at home to interact with them adn take them places ie zoo, museum for more real world learning don't need it. Most people i know who want full day, want it for the convenience of their work/schedule which I completely understand. Obviously that is not everyone. I think 3 half days to 5 full is a big jump. I like the 3 half to 5 half to 5 full. Mia who is at the top of her class academically adn very social was exhausted teh first few weeks of first grade. She was a young 6 and I can't imagine her doing that as a young 5. Again, even if there is "down" time it is not the same as being home and relaxed. M- if West Aurora is anything like Kaneland, kindy is not an extension of preschool. I was amazed by the curriculum. They are counting money, doing addition and subtraction, reading, writing paragraphs and they have arts, PE, music etc. It is very advanced vs pre-k

I read a study done on academic levels of different aged kids (Sept vs July bdays) that said by 3rd grade there was no statistical difference in academics. Meanings top of the class, middle and lower end all had older and younger kids. I don't know about full day vs half, but again I would be interested to know what the curriculum difference is or if there even is one.

And M this is not 1981 when we were in kindy. Mia had no playtime at all. It is entirely structured academic the whole time. No recess or playground time since it is half day. I know bc I helped in the class frequently.

So the difference in curriculum is PE, music, art. Interesting. Mia had all that in half day. Maybe bc Kaneland kindy is closer to 3 hours vs 2. I agree that stuff is definitely important. It doesn't look like any other curriculum difference though for those thinking academically their child will get more instructional time. Again, what works for your child is the best decision I think:)

I didn't think about keeping the classes together. So M, will 1/2 day get art/music/PE at all?
I would be interested to see the 1/2 day vs. full day curriculum and/or daily schedule. Do they get more instruction academic subjects? I'd bet the schools don't even have answers for those kinds of questions yet.

Lisa, I agree that K isn't like it used to be! It is truly the first year of school, as opposed to an "introduction" to 1st grade. Teachers teach to state standards.

It's not even offered in our district, and we live in Montgomery. It's not even an option. I'm glad, because I don't want them gone for a full day!! Once they are gone, they are gone!

Steph - the IL state standards are on isbe.net. Here's a link:
http://isbe.net/common_core/pdf/ELA_common_core_standards.pdf
They do not have the assessments and descriptors that start in grade 1, but they make their lesson plans around these.

M - where did you find that information?

Not much of a difference in curriculum. About an hour at the most? Not sure. They alternate gym and the arts. I think when Bryce was in half day - I dropped him off at 8:35? or earlier and picked him up at 10:50 or so. "What did you learn today?" "Where?" It just seems like such a short time to pack that all in. It's ok though, I still think he did well with "quarter day."