Choosing an early childhood program for your child can seem daunting and amongst those decisions you need to makeis how many days to enroll. If your work schedule doesn’t require 5 days, why would you want to sign up for a full week program? Turns out there are some very good reasons:
- 5 Days of care minmizes exposure.Having adapted to life with COVID, parents now have a greaterunderstanding of the value of limiting the amount of people their child is exposed to. Programs that encourage a five day a week program are doing so to minimize exposure to their students, their families, and their teachers. Compare a classroom with a capacity of 10 children attending 5 days a week, to one with children attending 2, 3, 4 or 5 days. Your child may be sharing space with either 10 children or, over the course of a week, as many as 20 children. Five days is the safest choice!
- Consistency of care offers the best possible bonding experience between the teacher,child and parents.Building a trusting, warm bond between your child and their teachers is vital to early childhood development. More consistent days means less difficult drop offs, close communication between parents and the classroom team, and the opportunity for the teacher to get to know your child and their development very well. It also means your child will always have the same group of friends with them, no worries about who comes on what days.
- Professional teachers value having the children attend more days.Five-day schedules not only allowteachers to build the best relationship with the child and their family, but it ensures they can offer the best data on their continuing progress on developmental goals. Planning curriculum is also richer as they can build upon skills day-to-day rather than needing to plan activities to repeat throughout the week to meet all children’s different schedules. Highly qualified teachers prefer to work in a school where families attend on a5 day schedule. When the best teacherschoose to work at a program, a required 5-day schedule can be a deciding factor!
- Peace-of-mind for Parents.While a family may not need 5-day care to start, work and home schedules often change. A five-day program ensures that you are covered for whatever comes your way. You know your child always has a place each and every day, no matter what you need to take care of!
- Community for Children & Families.Busy working families have a lot in common with other busy working families. Parents of children in a 5-day program can build stronger relationships with other parents who share this same schedule. And no one misses out on an outside playdate as all are enrolled 5-days a week.Many, many families continue the family and child friendships long past preschool days!
- No FOMO!At times schools bring in specialists or have exciting activities or events. Many ofthese visiting specialists or field trips locations have tight scheduling parameters so only certain days will work. Having your child attend all five days, means they would never miss out on anything!
- Less Child & Family Turnover.Experience shows that families who choose five daysof care have significantly less turnover. This means more consistency for your child and less transition over time.
If you have a choice, a 5 day a week program can offer solid benefits to you and your child the best possible option. Thinking about a dedicated 5-day a week program? Consider the Tobin Children’s School or The Tobin School in Natick. Our licensed, NAEYC-accredited full-year, full-day classrooms for infants up to PreK could be the perfect fit for you and your family. Contact Lori Davis for more information.
FAQs
Five-day schedules not only allow teachers to build the best relationship with the child and their family, but it ensures they can offer the best data on their continuing progress on developmental goals.
Why am I interested in early childhood education? ›
The early years of a child's life can have an incredible impact on their future. They're not only learning colors, words, shapes and numbers — they're learning how to interact with others, explore the world, and understand and express their own emotions.
What are the three most important elements that an early childhood program must have? ›
According to professional standards, high-quality pre-k programs are based on early learning standards that address multiple domains of development—academic, social-emotional, and physical—to ensure children are growing in all the ways that enable them to be healthy and ready for school.
What is the most important goal of the early childhood program? ›
An early childhood education program should provide a safe, nurturing environment for young students to develop their social and emotional skills. This type of environment encourages interactions with peers, teachers, and caregivers to build meaningful social connections and relationships.
Why should school be 4 days instead of 5 days? ›
Not only does a four-day school week benefit students, but it also has positive implications for teachers. By having an extra day off, educators have more time for professional development, lesson planning, and collaboration with their colleagues.
Why is Montessori 5 days a week? ›
Two- and three-day programs are often attractive to parents who do not need full-time care; however, five-day programs create the consistency that is so important to young children and which is essential in developing strong Montessori programs.
Why do I love early childhood education? ›
Not only can the work itself be fun, but seeing young children make connections, master new skills, and light up with new ideas is magical. Having a unique day full of play and learning will never be boring.
Why is early childhood education a good major? ›
Courses in ECE degree programs will familiarize you with: Teaching and measuring fundamental life and social skills. Planning activities that promote physical, emotional, intellectual and social development. Developing students' independence, interests, self-esteem and creativity.
Why choose to become an early childhood professional? ›
Early childhood educators can help guide parents and caregivers in order for children to have a bright future. They have been trained to comprehend children's feelings and emotions as well as help boost their confidence and pinpoint their strengths.
What are the three C's in early childhood education? ›
Based on her extensive experience in early childhood education, Patricia A. Dischler bridges the gap and demonstrates how incorporating the three Cs—creativity, curiosity, and courtesy—into classroom instruction can support the development of academic skills.
Family Childcare Home
The most common type of child care in the United States. Child care is provided in a private home. Most states require these homes be licensed.
What are the three A's of early childhood education? ›
The 3 A's: Attention, Appreciation, and Affection | ChildCareExchange.com.
What is your main motivation for working in early childhood? ›
1. See the world from a new perspective. “Working in child care has helped me gain a whole new perspective on the world. As well as being my job that I completely love, I feel like I am able to be excited about the little things in life like a child does and it's an awesome feeling.”
What is the purpose of early childhood education? ›
“Early childhood care and education (ECCE) is more than preparation for primary school. It aims at the holistic development of a child's social, emotional, cognitive and physical needs in order to build a solid and broad foundation for lifelong learning and wellbeing.
Why should we plan for them in early childhood programs? ›
To ensure you are maintaining appropriate challenges and stimulation for the children and supporting their active learning, while enabling them to experience success and achievement. To introduce new ideas and experiences. To help support any interests and strengths in children's experiences and learning.
What are the advantages of the day school? ›
Better parent-teacher partnership
In a day school, teachers partner with parents. Students develop their academic and social lives under the guidance of both parents and teachers. They are supported by two sets of adults (school and family) as they walk through their daily lives, struggles, and development.
What are the positives of shorter school days? ›
Shorter school days enforce healthier sleep schedules across many adolescents and boosts their ability to focus and learn in classes. Additionally, it gives students the freedom and opportunity to balance work and after school activities while also maintaining a proper sleep schedule.
Should students have to go to school 5 times a week to get a proper education? ›
Researchers found that students who went to school four days a week, as a whole, made smaller gains in reading during the academic year than students who went five days a week. They also earned lower scores in reading on the spring assessment, on average.
What are the pros and cons of longer school days? ›
Pros vs. Cons of Extended School Days
- Pro: More Time for Learning. ...
- Con: More Time Doesn't Mean More Learning. ...
- Pro: More Time for Other Subjects. ...
- Con: Less Time for Outside Interests. ...
- References.
Choosing an early childhood program for your child can seem daunting and amongst those decisions you need to makeis how many days to enroll. If your work schedule doesn’t require 5 days, why would you want to sign up for a full week program? Turns out there are some very good reasons: