I went to register LT for kindergarten a week ago. I've been excited over the fact that our entire kindergarten is full day in our district this year. If LT gets to be full day in September, then I've reached that golden moment of motherhood. Both of my kids in school, the same school, all day. Wow. Whether you're a working mom, or a stay-at-home mom, this is a big deal. For the stay-at-home mom, now you have time to actually do all of the things that take four times as long when you do them with your kids - the errands, house cleaning, bill paying. You can take a shower, go to the gym, sit in peace for an hour and read a book. For us working moms, we now have a lot more money in our pockets, and less juggling to do. Our day care expenses are cut more than in half. It's when actually working through the years with young kids starts to pay off. Maybe we can actually stop living paycheck to paycheck.
So I've been waiting with baited breath, because I'm not one to count my chickens before they hatch. I knew not to entirely count on it before all the hype about budget cuts, and what is surely to become the depression of 2009. I called the school a month ago to ask if the kindergarten would still be completely full day next year. The woman at the desk said yes. But still in the back of my head I'm thinking, I'll believe that after I actually register him for full day kindergarten. And I was right, because when I went in to register him, they're only sure they're running one full day kindergarten classroom with a lottery to get in. Same thing they had when Trouble was in kindergarten, and guess what, he went half a day. And just think about it. There has to be at least one full day kindergarten at one of the Title One schools in our town. There has to be one because certain kids, as a result of head start screenings, are mandated to have it. That means for the rest of us, there's not even 25 spots up for grabs. At this point, I'd be literally shocked if he got full day next year. I'm resigned to yet another year of half day, another year of day care costs over $1000/month. Ugh.
Now I'm just hoping beyond hope he doesn't end up in the afternoon class, because holy crap would that be inconvenient. How does that work for anyone's schedule. Is there actually a parent on this earth that is a fan of half day kindergarten? It's one big wedgie in the day's schedule. There's nothing convenient about it. I suppose if you're a stay-at-home parent whose kid has never been to pre-school or daycare it's nice. But I'm willing to bet most of those parents would rather their kid go all day too.
I'm chocking this lovely little jewel that's popped so unwelcome into my life up to Dub-ya and our very thoughtful Republican party. If it hadn't been for all those policy changes during the first five years of the Bush Administration we wouldn't be in this mess and my elementary school wouldn't be backtracking. We wouldn't be forced to keep throwing billions of tax dollars, attempting to bail out a sinking ship. Critics can badmouth Obama all they want. The way I see it, he has two choices. Stop spending and watch the entire economy collapse, or send us further and further into debt, trying correct the ginormous mess we're in. It's not really a choice is it?
I think all schools should have full day K! Sorry to hear about the Lottery.
Posted by: Curls | March 29, 2009 at 09:26 PM
We have half-day kinder here, too. Baby Dol will be going next year. We just found out that we got A.M. kinder for the public magnet school we applied to, which is great. Afternoon is the worst idea ever! Here in California, they have what is called AM/PM, where kids can get dropped off before school and picked up as late as 5:30, I think. Baby Dol will probably do that for two or three days a week, since I plan on continuing to work part-time.
I hear ya, though, it will be so nice once we start saving all that daycare money.
Posted by: The Dol | March 31, 2009 at 12:53 PM
We have before and after school care available for the full day students. I know some people feel more comfortable with the half day for their kids. Five is young. But so many of these kids are just going to daycare anyway. It just doesn't make sense to me. I doubt it would be that big of an issue if it didn't feel almost impossible to afford to raise a family these days.
Posted by: Diosa | April 06, 2009 at 10:38 PM
I think I want to be a teacher - a kindergarten teacher. I'm serious. Because then I feel like I'll be able to work full time, have summers off and not need child care after Toby goes to school - still before and after school - what do you do about that?
I guess I just have to consider 1st grade - 5 years away for me, 6 actually, the time when child care ends.
Posted by: Alice | April 07, 2009 at 09:58 AM
Alice, I was a high school teacher, not elementary. Maybe the younger kids are easier? I wouldn't have the patience. But if it's what you want, I say go for it.
Posted by: Diosa | April 07, 2009 at 09:41 PM
I loved afternoon K believe it or not. We had a relaxed morning, shopped if we had to, had a nice lunch together and off they went. I was home at the time, or working only when they went to school, so I may be one of the few who enjoy it. There was something nice about sending Doc off to work and going back to sleep with the boys. But I was in a different boat.
Posted by: Lissfull | April 11, 2009 at 07:12 PM
Lissfull, I can only hope there are more parents like you, so LT doesn't end up in afernoon K. That would be hell for us.
Posted by: Diosa | April 12, 2009 at 09:30 AM