Why does nursery school finish at 2:30????

amother

Thu, Sep 08 2022, 5:20 pm

I'm at my wits end! My nursery daughter started school this week and is already home at 2:45. We spent an hour at the park, played with magnetiles for 15 minutes, unpacked all the toys for another 15 minutes, did arts and crafts for yet another 15 minutes and we still have 2 hours to bedtime... Ideas please!!!!!!

PeanutMama

Thu, Sep 08 2022, 5:23 pm

It is a long day for such a little kid, dealing with the same.

Maybe bake cookies together, or have a karaoke thing

Blessing1

Thu, Sep 08 2022, 5:24 pm

2:30 is perfect timing for little kids.
If they have transportation, they need the busses for the older kids.

amother

Wheat

Thu, Sep 08 2022, 5:24 pm

amother OP wrote:

What time will she finish eventually?

My niece also had very staggered hours lit 2 or 3 hours a day, and slowly building up.
Only after sukkos they having full day.

amother

Navy

Thu, Sep 08 2022, 5:27 pm

I was preschool teacher. Kindergarten had longer hours but younger students from my class used to literally fall asleep the last hour

amother

Thu, Sep 08 2022, 5:30 pm

amother Wheat wrote:

What time will she finish eventually?

My niece also had very staggered hours lit 2 or 3 hours a day, and slowly building up.
Only after sukkos they having full day.

Nope, that is the final time for the rest of the year and the year after that...

She is not an independent, self directed kid who will sit and play for an hour at a time. She needs to be with Mommy all day every day.

amother

Gladiolus

Thu, Sep 08 2022, 5:32 pm

amother OP wrote:

Are there other options where you live that have a later end time?
May be worth switching if she (and you) are going to struggle with this every day

mha3484

Thu, Sep 08 2022, 5:34 pm

Play groups here go until 1 and my kids were zonked after. Nursery (4 year olds) til 2 and pre1a 3:45. Its a great gradual transition each year.

My husband is the one home usually but my kids play with their siblings or he took them on errands. After a morning of structure they are usually happy to chill and relax a little.

realtalk

Thu, Sep 08 2022, 5:49 pm

I know you said she needs mommy but could you set her up with an activity and walk away for a little? Or just incorporate her in whatever you’d want to get done and let it take longer because it’s not getting done anyway

amother

Tulip

Thu, Sep 08 2022, 6:05 pm

Can't imagine leaving my nursery kids in school much longer than that, it's a long day for such little kids. Mine just hang out with me all afternoon, we cook supper together, fold laundry together, wash dishes together and sometimes when I feel generous I'll sit to play.

amother

NeonPink

Thu, Sep 08 2022, 6:08 pm

Long bath, add colored drops to the water to make it more fun.

Let her entertain herself, she should be able to handle free play with no guidance at this age

amother

Clover

Thu, Sep 08 2022, 6:10 pm

Because most kids at that age are tired by then. Some schools offer an extra hour to finish at the same time with the bigger kids.

effess

Thu, Sep 08 2022, 6:22 pm

This is very age appropriate.
Socializing some, and the rest of the time with mommy.
Here’s what I’d do.
Laundry- she helps you
Grocery shopping- she’s with you
Cooking dinner-pass the onion, look how mommy checks eggs (she’s”helping” you)
Say tehillim while she plays beside you
Visit a friend of yours if that’s possible.
Library
In other words, live life and engage/educate her in the process. You’re not her entertainer.
You are creating building blocks in your relationship with her, figure out ways that you can enjoy it too. When she’s older there’s much less unstructured pleasant time together.
Hatzlacha!

amother

Yarrow

Thu, Sep 08 2022, 6:39 pm

Children need their mothers after being away 5-6 hours.
It's hard but that's what mothering entails. I had more kids and eventually they all played together!

amother

Lotus

Thu, Sep 08 2022, 6:51 pm

My kindergarten son finishes 2:45 and same for next year.
I’m summer, spring and fall I watch him outside for at least a hour a day.

amother

Strawberry

Thu, Sep 08 2022, 7:09 pm

That’s a great time to end school at that age. Welcome to mommy hood!

amother

Lemonlime

Thu, Sep 08 2022, 7:22 pm

This is standard for that age, and it's already a long day. It's a lot for so little. Many places have extended hours (that you can pay for) for working parents who need the childcare, but if you don't need aftercare then more time than that isn't necessary and is too much for most kids.