Starting kindergarten is not only a significant milestone in a child’s life—it is also a huge step for parents as they will entrust their kids to educators and students they are yet to meet. Depending on what you think is beneficial for your child, programmes like the full-day or half-day approach at Kindergarten at Explorers will help you decide which suits best.

What Is a Kindergarten Programme?

The main goal of a kindergarten programme is to prepare your child for primary school. This also means that kindergarten, or kindy, helps your child build the skills they need once they go to formal education. And when kids come prepared, they feel confident knowing that they can survive the challenges independently. Here are some of the available programmes that you might want to check:

What Is a Full-Day Kindergarten Programme?

By its definition, a full-day kindergarten program generally runs for six to seven hours in a day that is like the regular school day of primary school. This is the go-to programme of parents if they want their kids to have a structured routine, especially in the time spent in school. In a full-day programme, kids get to have:

• More opportunities to engage in different activities that not only involve reading and writing but also develop in them social and communication skills that build friendships and emotional resilience.
• A balance as to how the lessons and play are structured, so the approach is holistic but still in a fun and engaging way of learning.
• And it’s actually a great convenience, especially for working parents, as it aligns with the standard working hours.

What Is a Half-Day Kindergarten Programme?

On the other hand, half-day kindergarten programmes run for three to four hours a day, some in the morning and others in the afternoon, or at times, centres offer a few full days, and it’s still half of the week. The best part of this option is that kids have time on their hands for family activities. Some of its other benefits are:

• Shorter programmes are great for kids who are still trying to navigate the social and educational environments so they can spend time on both at school and with their families at home.
• The quality of structured learning still applies in a way that does not feel overwhelming and tiring to kids.
• At the same time, half-day kindergarten programmes offer a more budget-friendly choice, especially to families who want to pursue early education for their kids but have minimal means to do so.

Which Kindergarten Programme Is Right for Your Child?

Of course, that depends on the dynamic you have in the family. Some families are more eager to personally train their children in this setup than enrol them in an institution, while others, because of the demand on their time for work, would tailor the schedule of their children to their work hours. While this is the case, keep in mind that you need not only prepare your family and finances for it, but also assess if your child is ready to take on learning outside of their comfort zone.