Hello i have an incoming kindergardener this school year.. we picked 1/2 day as that was the best choice for this child (still gets tired out.. sometimes naps etc...)
I also have a 4 year preschooler.. when we met the kindergarden teacher..she said that for my 4 year old .. next year only full day kinder would be offered.. because of a state of michigan funding issue.. -- schools that offered 1/2 day kinder would not get paid by the state..
anyone know about this new law???
I hope so!!! That would be awesome for us. My son is in full-time daycare now so with 1/2 day K he would end up in SAC for half the day.
I don't know about MI law, but here in SC, the kindergarten is full day, with a nap period included (40-50 minutes). Some kids sleep, others don't. Mine was one that didn't so she got to go read quietly in the library section of their room. It wasn't bad at all. Maybe talk to school administrators or the principal of your school about the full day program that they're planning to start and find out the details. At least here, it's not like they have to go full force for 6 hours with no breaks. Good luck!
I've heard of that...and I heard that is why many schools do full day but I'm not sure if its true. My daughter went to all day Kinder last year and so did my niece at a different school/city. Both did fine! And both classes gave the children rest/nap time in the beginning of the year.
I wouldn't worry too much about it.
It is coming, and many districts are moving over in anticipation for it. We spoke with our principal a couple of weeks ago and as of yet, she had not heard that it was a for sure thing for next fall. It will be within the next few years for sure.
A lot of districts are doing it. They do have a rest time.
It looks like it will be the case. Right now the districts get money for each student in kindergarten so basically if two half day programs run they get double money. Law makers are moving to make it so if a student is there for a half day, the district gets 1/2 the money, if it is full day, they get the full money. It will be more cost effective for districts to go to full day classes. Personally I am excited since DD will be starting after this takes place.
.
If I am not mistaken K is not even required. So you can keep your child in a kinder care rather than sending full time if it won't work out for him/her. I would look into whether or not it's required.
Both of my kids did full day and loved it. I was more nervous about it than they were ;)
I haven't read the other responses so forgive me if this is a duplicate. Currently, schools get funding for a full-time student, even though they are only 1/2 time. Which the districts use that "overage" to fund the more expensive student (high school). When Michigan mandates that the schools go to full day kindergarten, they will get full-time funding if their program is an all day one. Our district refuses to do that, so they will only get 1/2 of the funding, therefore losing money. I've also heard that there will be a fine that has to be paid. Per our superintendent, it is cheaper for our district to pay the fine and do only 1/2 kindergarten than it is to do full-day (teachers, benefits, etc.) I know charter schools will still be able to do 1/2 kindergarten, so that could always be an option until your child goes into 1st grade. Hope that helps!
