Half-day Kindergarten in Dallas

I'm not sure if there is one as I think Kinder is pretty much recognized as a grade, where as preschool is more or less structured daycare. They start learning more and following a curriculum and schedule in kinder.
1st grade is only a year away and you don't want him behind.
School is only until 3 which I really don't condsider all day as the after school extended programs go until 6pm.
Anyway, I saw a question not too long ago about someone wanting to know if there really was a difference between a child who went to preschool and a child who went to daycare before kindergarten and she went on to ask if half day kinder would be ok if she wanted to save money on tuition. A school teacher replied this: "There's a very obvious difference between the kindergartners who did pre-school and those who were in a daycare environment. It is even greater once they enter 1st grade after a half-day program or an optional kindergarten. Full day kindergarten is based on time needed to actually teach the kids and prepare them for 1st grade. In a "normal" classroom you will have kids from every part of the spectrum when it comes to their ability to learn. Throw in the fact these are 5 year olds and most are new to a school environment and they still need LOTS of "teaching" for everything there just is not enough time to properly get them ready in a half day. Too much time is used fixing their shoes, going to the bathroom, getting their coats/jackets on to leave, getting backpacks done to leave, putting up coats/jackets when they arrive at school, getting things ready to learn, washing hands,snacks, etc."

You might can find a private school that offers the half-days. I will also tell you that the majority of mothers feel their kindergarteners weren't ready for the full day/reg. kinder. but usually it's the mothers who aren't ready to send them. :-) I wasn't sure after staying home with my son and him never having gone to pre-school even if he was ready, but I put him into Pre-K (all day/5 days 8:00am-3:00 pm) when he was 4(I started back to school myself), and between the first day of him screaming as I left and me crying in the car, and Friday-he was a totally different kid, loving it, learning, and running to the car after school to show me what he'd made that day. By kindergarten, he was so advanced and the transition was so much smoother than the kids you could tell didn't get that pre-k/school experience prior to Kinder. And, now he starts first grade in a few weeks and is excited! I do know in public schools here in TX, hat kindergarten is not required, unless you enroll them, then you cannot just pull them out. But, I also know you can withdraw a kid at anytime for 'home schooling' and they cannot do anything about it because home schooling is considered a private school in TX. I will say though that the teachers say there is an obvious difference in the kids that have had the pre-k/kinder. grade normally and the one's who enter into school without that pre-education. My son will be entering the first grade being able to read books, and his kindergarten is half day English/half day Spanish(he knew know Spanish upon entering school), and will continue the half/day bilingual program to learn to read/write both English and Spanish through 2nd grade which our public school system offers.

Hi R.,

My son is also starting kinder this year, and I have two daughters in high school. To make a very long story short, I have two degrees in education, over 10 yrs. experience in teaching, admin. and curriculum development. It is my goal to open a private school which honors each child's innate wisdom and learning style. I have been offered the use of a house owned by and sitting behind Unity Church of Dallas on Forest Ln., between Hillcrest and Preston. If you're interested in more information, I'd be glad to visit with you.

There are several private schools that offer either half day or tues/thurs full day. If you are in uptown you might try Providence.