11 Sep
2007
I was just reading a blog questioning the advantage of the phasing in process for preschool and kindergarten. My children both did gradual entry which at the time didn’t make sense to me. They were both more than ready. I was a stay-at-home mom so it didn’t inconvenience me a whole lot but for working parents it can be very difficult juggling their work day to accommodate a gradual entry process. Many of their children have been in daycare for a year or more so most likely ready for their new school. Most of us prepare our children well in advance of their new experience and in most cases they’ve visited their new school prior to the first day. Phasing in gradually can be very frustrating for a child because he/she wants to be at their new school and is eager to participate fully.
Do you think gradual entry is worthwhile and beneficial? Are you a working parent who has had to juggle your schedule and find alternative childcare the days your child isn’t in school? Do you think your child was/is better off phasing in rather than starting right off with the regular hours?
Sarah
30 Aug 2010
As a working mom, gradual entry is extremely frustrating. My daughter attended Pre-K last year at the same school. I think she is MORE than ready to begin. She also went to summer camp all summer. There was no gradual entry there. I just don’t get it. Is this more beneficial to the teachers? I mean, honestly. My husband works full time as well, and with the fear of being laid off, (which is a pretty common occurrence in his field), and the fact that his job doesn’t compensate him for days off, taking off is out of the question for him, so I’m the one left having to take off work for this all week.