head start programs

[boyohboyohboy]

Does anyone have their child in a head start program?
we have the opportunity to have Jake attend but I am not sure if you have to go the entire 4-5 days?
also what type of curriculum do they learn?
My dh is against this idea. He feels its to soon for Jake to go into such a structured program, he would prefer a preschool where he can go two days a week for about three hours..

[coasterqueen]

Megan goes to our school district Pre-K program. It's 5 days a week, for half a day each day. There are AM classes and PM classes. Megan is in the PM class, not by choice, but by how the bus route goes -- unfortunately. The program is much different than when Kylie was in it last year, so I'm honestly still trying to understand it more. I also think it's different because last year they had a lot of 4 and 5 year olds and this year they have more 3 year old than 4's and no 5's. So they had to structure it a little different, I guess, due to that. Megan's class is all about just getting comfortable with the school setting, teachers, friends, structure in general. They have circle time where the teacher reads, asks questions, etc. Then they have "centers" where there are different learning activities at each one. They all help them learn something in a different way. For instance they have a "playhouse" where the kids to learn to play together and use their imagination to play with dolls, or sometimes it's a grocery store or a salon. Then there are areas where they can learn to write, color, cut and paste. There are areas for looking at books, playing with playdough or something similar. Etc. So it's all about exploring and learning. They also have snack time and recess. So they are really structured as if they were in school (like Kindergarten).

I was really worried about sending Megan this past year, Dh more so than me. It was Megan's occupational therapist that really encouraged us to send her. Arina knew it would take 2 years for Megan to be able to handle a school setting, especially going to full days for Kindergarten. Megan is very behind in lots of things and needed a certain setting to push her to learn more that we could not do for her at home. This school year is almost over and we've spent most of it STILL trying to get used to just going to school, not having a nap right in the middle of the day, and actually opening up and playing with others. She's come far, but not far enough, which is good that she'll go through the program again next year.

[luvmykids]

That was a big reason I put Macie back in preK when we moved, but in Kindy she was going full days, every day. Now she goes every day but only from 8-11. She does great with it, I think the structure is good for kids and tbh I think they really enjoy the routine.