https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Thu, 16 Apr 2026 22:26:27 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/afternoon-preschool-session#post-2187095 Fri, 22 May 2015 12:28:17 +0000 regberadaisy 2187095@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Ree723: my 3 year old is dropping her nap and even on the days she doesn't nap she stil won't sleep till 830!!! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/afternoon-preschool-session#post-2187087 Fri, 22 May 2015 12:18:51 +0000 hilsy85 2187087@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We will be in a similar boat this fall--3 afternoons a week at preschool from 12:30-3:30. I am definitely nervous, since he still really needs his nap, but I am hoping that he will be so stimulated and excited at school he will be fine there, and just do an early bedtime those nights. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/afternoon-preschool-session#post-2187010 Fri, 22 May 2015 11:12:25 +0000 plantains 2187010@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Ree723: oh no! That sucks about her not getting to see DH. That would be pretty tough. I'm hoping a morning slot opens for you! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/afternoon-preschool-session#post-2187007 Fri, 22 May 2015 11:06:19 +0000 rachiecakes 2187007@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My son is in afternoon preschool (1-5). He loves it! Though, he's never been a big sleeper.<br /> He does come home exhausted and occasionally he'll fall asleep on the ride home or while I'm making dinner. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/afternoon-preschool-session#post-2187005 Fri, 22 May 2015 11:04:56 +0000 Ree723 2187005@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@plantains: I hope so! I will ask the school about getting a morning slot if all the offers aren't accepted, but otherwise, I will cross my fingers and hope she adjusts to the lack of nap fairly quickly! The main downside will be that she probably won't see DH during the week as he doesn't get home until 7:30. I'm fairly sure she won't make it until then if she hasn't had a nap and has been in school all afternoon! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/afternoon-preschool-session#post-2186999 Fri, 22 May 2015 10:59:34 +0000 Ree723 2186999@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@kiddosc: Technically she doesn't have to go to school until she's five, but preschool prepares them for Reception (full day school at 4), and Reception prepares them for Year One (which they start when they turn five and is more academically structured). If I held her back for any of those, she would skip that grade altogether as the UK doesn't give a parent the option of holding their child back and having them start school in the proper sequence. So if I kept her out of preschool, she'd have to jump straight into full day Reception without any prior experience in a formal setting. It makes me so upset but that is the way it is :-/</p> <p>@Bao: Thanks! E is actually kind of the same - she sleeps in quite late so I worried about whether or not we'd be able to get moving in the morning, but I think I'd rather have that battle than a tired, grumpy kid being sent off to preschool. Hoping all works out for you as well!</p> <p>@KayKay: I am going to have a chat to them about starting out with three mornings per week. I already mentioned it to the teacher when I toured the school and she indicated it wouldn't be a huge issue, but of course I'll need to firm that up now that we have a place. As for paying, preschool is funded by the government here - all kids get 15 hours per week once they turn 3 (you can have additional hours but you pay for them out of pocket), so either way, the school will get their funding whether DD attends five days per week or one day per week :-) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/afternoon-preschool-session#post-2186998 Fri, 22 May 2015 10:59:33 +0000 plantains 2186998@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>She will probably adjust to it surprisingly. It will be hard at first, but the end of the nap is in sight anyway right? Hopefully you can get on the wait list or speak to the school to see if someone wants to swap?</p> <p>I went to school in the UK and started Reception at 4. Lots of time in the sandbox so don't worry, she will still get lots of time to play, explore and be a kid! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/afternoon-preschool-session#post-2186982 Fri, 22 May 2015 10:42:07 +0000 KayKay 2186982@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My 3yo has been going to 3 day/week preschool 830-330 for the past 9 months. In the beginning (when she was 2.5), she was a hot little mess when she got home. Even though they have a "rest" period for an hour from 2-3, she was rarely napping then and obviously still needed it. As the year has progressed, she has done better and better without it. </p> <p>That being said, it's still only 3 days a week. We are moving this summer, and I took a couple potential preschools off our list when I found out that they only offered (or only had available) 5-day programs either afternoon-only or full school day. I thought those would be a little much for a 3 year old. </p> <p>Obviously less than ideal, but maybe earlier in the year, you only have her go 3 days a week (but still pay for the full 5)? Or you just drop the nap and go with a really early bedtime! :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/afternoon-preschool-session#post-2186980 Fri, 22 May 2015 10:39:01 +0000 Bao 2186980@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I'm in a similar situation but opposite. The preschool we enrolled LO in has different classes for different ages, so 2.5-4, younger kids then 3s then 4s then 3-4 mix. My LO is just missing the cutoff by a week. They want her in the morning session with the 2.5-3 year olds and it's 8:30-11:30. I want 12:30-3:30 because LO doesn't wake up until after 8am and she is slow moving in the morning and a monster until about 10am. No advice but I totally feel you! Hoping it all works out for you. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/afternoon-preschool-session#post-2186971 Fri, 22 May 2015 10:24:30 +0000 kiddosc 2186971@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>That's intense, half day preschool at three and full day school at 4?! 5 days a week? Does she have to go? I would seriously question putting her in the program at all if I couldn't get a morning spot. My 3 year old needs a nap more than structured curriculum.</p> <p>ETA: It's so screwy that the youngest kids get put in the afternoon, the ones that are most likely to still be napping, </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/afternoon-preschool-session#post-2186870 Fri, 22 May 2015 09:09:30 +0000 looch 2186870@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My son finally dropped his afternoon nap at 3 years 8 months, literally the month before he began afternoon preschool. It resulted in easier night sleep time. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/afternoon-preschool-session#post-2186865 Fri, 22 May 2015 09:04:47 +0000 Ree723 2186865@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>DD1 is due to start preschool in September - a year earlier than I would have liked but kids here start part time preschool at three and full time school at age four (don't even get me started on how ragey that makes me!). </p> <p>We received our acceptance letter today to the preschool of our choice, but unfortunately, there wasn't space available in the morning session so she has been allocated an afternoon session, which runs from 12:30-3:30 every day. Spaces are determined by birth date and as DD has a late June birthday (Aug 31 is the cut off), I'm not surprised we weren't able to get a morning spot, but I'm still a bit bummed about the afternoon session. She still takes a nap every day, and on the days she doesn't sleep, she becomes an absolute terror. I'm worried about her not getting the full benefit of preschool due to being tired, cranky, and a bit obstinate (which is what happens when she's tired).</p> <p>Anyone out there have their three year old in an afternoon preschool? How is it working out? I will obviously be talking to the school about being put on a waiting list for the morning session in case a vacancy opens up, but with everything being done based on birthdays, I'm not very optimistic we will get a spot.</p> <p>Moving to the morning session later in the year isn't an option as schools here don't allow for kids to be moved once they're settled unless there are serious extenuating circumstances. Also, looking at other preschools is also out as we've missed the window for applications and we'd really like her to be at this particular school.</p> <p>I'd love to hear stories about how your LO does in an afternoon preschool and/or any tips and advice on how to make the transition a bit easier! </p>