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I absolutely would still be wanting go send my child to a 5 day a week program at age 4 even if I was a SAHM. I dont think 6 hours a day is that long. Does that include a meal and a nap? Plus all those wonderful activities you listed, it doesn't sound like she would be forced to be sitting at a desk all day.

I guess I just dont totally see the "down side". If its a free program that you are offered and its amazing, why wouldn't you take it?

Our town's UPK is only 8:30-2:30, which includes snack time, lunch time, and nap time. And obviously playground time. And then it follows the school schedule so there are lots of breaks throughout the year.

So it's not a very full schedule at all, when you look at the whole year. I would take the opportunity.

I would take it. I don't make decisions about my son's education based on my working status though...I sent my son to a private half day program even though I work full time...I look at what suits my son's needs the best.

In this case, I'd go with the UPK based on the assumption that it feeds into K and it would be a less complicated transition into K where it really matters.

@Ree723: Just curious, what do they consider "full time" over there?

I'm a SAHM and am in favor of my kids going to full day preschool. LO1 attended this past year for 5 hours a day Mon - Thurs and 3 hours on Fri. His education is very important to us, and there is so much that school can provide for him that I cannot at home, especially with a very demanding 2 year old.

I lean towards your DHs viewpoint if spaces are at a premium. We have very limited public pre-k, so my perspective is probably skewed based on that. However, the spot is fairly yours so if you want it and think it's best for your child then take it without guilt. DH and I both work full time, but have in-law care and personally won't send DD to full time pre-k.

@Ree723: I wholeheartedly agree with everything you said.

Just wanted to add that LO went to a play based preschool. He felt like he was playing the whole day instead of actually learning. The teachers do a great job making school fun.

My biggest guilt was spending money on preschool when I'm at home and not working.

@PinkElephant: That sounds like a really amazing schedule and a lot of great opportunities. Its fun to play with toys but maybe she would develop a new love for art, dance, cooking etc by being exposed to new things! I'm not for pushing a ton of academics at a very young age, but I think over 6 hours, you figure an hour for eating and an hour for nap. Thats really only 4 hours and it sounds like a good chunk of that is play based.

Personally I would not do full day until at least K if I had the option of half day. I mean, I stay home to be with my kids. They are only young once and I want to enjoy that time with them. They will be in school full time for so many years that I don't think there should be the need to push it on them so early.
I only really know of two people in a similar situation. First, my sister - who decided to stay in private half day preschool. It worked out fine. My nephew did great with full-day Kindergarten despite all the other kids that were in the full day pre-K. Second was a mom in our playgroup whose older son was enrolled in our town's full day, 5 days a week Pre-K program. It was too much for him so she ended up pulling him out and putting him in a private part-time program. He has a July birthday and they have since decided to hold him back a year too. He just wasn't ready.
I know it goes against what most people said but I would not do it. We also are not in NYC so there is that too...

A little different, but I work part time (3 days a week). We are sending our son (who will be 4.4 in Sept) to a 5 day a week jr. k program 830-330 at his Montessori school. If we wanted to keep him part time, we'd have to keep him in pre-school, which would have been the same program as this year and by the end of the year he would be 5, with some 3 year olds still in the class, so we opted for the full time option. I also think 5 days next year will be an easier transition into public K the following year. There are also so many days off (it seems like at least one or more a month) and you can always keep her home the occasional Friday if you decide. Plus, you're expecting a third child...so....take all the help you can get.

I'm planning on sending DD1 when she is 4y8m. It'll be full day junior kindergarten.
Yes I'm home, but she's so much more stimulated at preschool than she is at home with two babies at home. It'll be so much easier for her needs to be met without sacrificing the needs of my littler ones.
Right now if I do something for her it means my youngest two have disrupted naps and spent a considerable amount of time in a stroller, carrier, or car seat. I can't let a 17 month old run free in a museum designed for older children and she would be bored out of her skull at the baby play centre.
I plan on pulling her our every so often so we can have fun adventures together and her school is OK with some absences.

Sorry for the ignorance--what is UPK? I get that PK=pre-K, but what is the U?

My scenario is a bit the same, and a bit different...

DD1 went to daycare FT from 3m-2.25y. Then we moved, and from 2.5-3.5y did a 3 day/week, 830-330 Montessori program while I SAH with newborn DD2. While for many kids that would seem like a "lot", for her, it was significantly less stimulation than she was used to! Then we moved again, and I SAH so our family could get settled and have some consistency. From 3.5-current, she has been doing 3 day/week, 9-12 (with occasional lunch bunch or afternoon play til 3). So again, she has gotten older, but her school/social time has decreased. Honestly, she loves school, always asks to go for additional days and wants to know when she can go for all-day like her friend in K.

For next year, both DD1 and DD2 will be doing a 5-day/week, 830-330 Montessori program. I am still SAH -- was starting to look at job opportunities when I found out I was pregnant again and due in Dec...so basically not enough time to start a job in the fall before having to skip out on maternity. I know DD1 will love it, and I'm excited that she can have a low-key/child-led "full day" experience the year before full-day, more academic K starts. I felt a little bad about having DD2 do 5-day, "full day" care, but I also know that she will love it and flourish (again, in a child-led, non-academic setting)...and it will be VERY helpful for me with a new baby to have that time with only one kid. We don't have any family nearby, DH works long hours, and, honestly, I never really meant to SAH with my kids and don't feel that strongly about it. I would never push either to start in a particularly academic setting at a young age, but I think there are lots of social/emotional benefits to spending more time around peers & other adults. Especially if the alternative ends up mostly being non-quality time with me while I focus on a newborn and/or extra screen time.

As someone else mentioned, there are still lots of random days off, nor do I hesitate to pull them out for vacations or to visit family. And I'm considering getting them both at noon on Weds, just to have a bit of extra time with them. But honestly, we'll see, especially once LO3 shows up.

@katsupgirl: Ah, thanks!!! LO is only 22 months so I'm not there yet and was a bit lost!