SN preschool

[chickypoo2468]

When a child is at a special needs preschool what determines how many days they go? My nephew is switching from 2 to 5 and it's got me thinking about when O starts, bc why not worry about things a year and a half away lol. Does more days mean they are doing great or that they need more time to address all their needs?

[luvboston]

It can depend on a lot of factors one major one is money and how much the school system will pay for.

[chickypoo2468]

I just always thought preschool was 2 days at 3 and 3 days at 4, then kindergarten was 5 days. My SIL said the teacher called her and wants to switch to 5 days.

ETA He is at a SN school too. I had thought that more days meant that they needed more time for therapy and to get caught up but it sounded like he was doing well.

[chickypoo2468]

And I admit I get a bit weepy when I think of my youngest going off to school and I want to know now how many days he'll be gone so I can be mentally prepared lol.

[luvboston]

Here preschool is your choice and pray they pay. At any age they can go 2,3,45

[mrsbuttinski]

It's hard to make a blanket statement.

Generally the rubric for days at "preschool" are equal to the child's age, for typically developing kiddos, unless it is part of a child care program.

In terms of servicing an IEP, it's hard to make a generality. Often, they start kids off with a shorter week to help them adjust and then have more days added as they get used to being in school. Sometimes days are added as a child gets older. Sometimes a child is doing so well, they add extra time in order that they can practice the skills being taught in a mainstream setting or with typical peer models.

Other times, additional time is added because the child needs the consistency of being there more often- some kids need more than 2/3 days to feel part of the classroom routine. Sometimes, additional delays are noted once a child starts in preschool, so more days are added to provide additional services.

It's great that he's thriving there.

[chickypoo2468]

Ok cool. That makes sense.

[toastie]

My sons are in a special needs school. They have multiple disabilities and receive lots of services. Most kids start at 3 yo and go full time, 9-3 min-fri.

Ds1 I on,y sent for half days at 3, so mon-fri for 2.5 hrs. He still liked to nap and didn't have the endurance of a 3 yo. When he was 4 he went full time.

Ds2 is less affected and mush more difficult to entertain because of his physical disabilities but his cognitive abilities. So I sent him full time at 3yo.

Hardest thing I have ever had to do. I would be homeschooling them if they were typical and they are very much my babies. I hate letting them go every morning and am always early to pick them up. I have to wait until they dismiss.

But it's good for them, they learn how to follow directions from other people, hoe to engage with peers, routine and they get more one on one opportunity thN they would at home. Our biggest struggle was nap time. They do have rest time after lunch but my kids like to nap late and long. So they would want yo go to sleep from like 1-330 but rest time was 11:30-12:15. And then by the time I picked them up at 3 they would fall asleep from 330-5 and be miserable. By age 4 they got into a better routine with it and my younger sons aide takes him for relaxing walks and in the padded play areas while the other kids rest. And I must say, I think it's strengthened our relationship. At 40 willful pounds I'm exhausted. And now I get a break, and time to recharge and I enjoy them.

[Deleted]

If through our school district the special needs pre-school is 5 days a week half days for ages 3,4 and 5.

[nanaosaki06]

I think it all varies with every district. Mine told me it would be 2.5 hours 2 to 5 days a week once he was evaluated. I think it depends on what class, and their therapy needs. Maybe he is better, but he needs more social skills. So they bump him up to more class time with other kids. It really does vary.