There has been discussions about kindergarten going full day in Michigan. A new law passed by Granholm, which goes into effect for the 2010/2011 school year, is trying to encourage schools to go with more hours for Kindergartners.

If the Kindergartner program reaches 60% of the hours that the 1st - 12th grader programs are, then they will continue to get full funding. If not, the funding will be cut in half to reflect that they spend half the time in the schools as the other children. Furthermore, the percentage of hours will increase from 60% to 70% for the following school year, 2011/2012, in order for them to receive full funding. The decisions will be made district by district, but all schools are welcome to change to full day before then.

Personally, my daughter would do very well in full day kindergarten so I am hoping her school opts to make the change early and start it up next year when she begins kindergarten. I have heard both sides and everyone has genuine concerns. It has been a true 50/50 split with everyone I have chatted with about this. I am guessing it will be a difficult transition, with much opposition, as well as gratitude.

Would you be a proponent of full day kindergarten in Michigan?

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 Comments (6)

dntszoo said:

I am in favor of all day kindergarten, not just because my husband and I both work full-time but also because I think that the kids would enjoy it. My son was in montessori for a year and had full day kindergarten. He loved it! My daughter is on the same path and likes to learn about anything that is thrown her way. They need to at least have all day every day kindergarten be an option in the schools. They could put rest/nap time in there if needed.

December 09, 2008 05:26 PM

Lynette said:

	My older daughter went to half day kindergarten but then stayed in after-care three days a week. She made the transition to 1st grade so much easier than others who only attended half days. I think a rest time is important in kindergarten but fully support going to full days. Hopefully, by the time my twins make it - 2012!
December 11, 2008 05:15 AM

Kim said:

	I just found the answer to my prev question! Sorry about that...thanks for the info!
January 26, 2010 02:44 AM

lisalagrou said:

	Great! I was just getting ready to reference this column so I'm glad you found it.
January 27, 2010 10:42 AM

Janice said:

	My son had 2 full days and one half day. He loved school on the half, was overtired/bouncing off walls/crabby on the two full days. I am really glad he did not have full day kindergarten every day. There is a maturity rate with kids, anyway, and while he does well in 4th grade (straight As) he did not do well in 2nd or even 3rd. Going full time in kindergarten would not have helped him at all.
July 14, 2010 05:00 PM

Doug said:

I have twins who will attend the 2011/2012 shool year as kindergarteners. Rochester only offers 1/2 day 5-days a week kindergtarten with... of course a fee based service for the morning/afternoon times. (4.5 to 5k cost for 2 kids for the year if you add up the costs). Does anyone know of any FULL day kindergarten public schools within oakland county? I think school of choice is for within Oakland county correct? Would love any hints from anyone as I start to investigate this topic. My wife and I work full time professional jobs and would like to stop paying a ton a year in daycare and was hoping this would end beginning in Kindergarten.

September 23, 2010 07:09 AM

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