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Podcasts Take Two
Despite benefits of full-day preschool, most state programs are half day
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Jan 24, 2014
Listen • 4:21
Despite benefits of full-day preschool, most state programs are half day
Parents have to perform logistical acrobatics to make the three-hour daily sessions work. And researchers say full day programs are just better.
Blanca Romero does a reading exercise with Jayden, her 4-year old son. Jayden attends El Sereno Elementary's state PreK program. His mother loves the program, even though it is only for 3 hours per day.
Blanca Romero does a reading exercise with Jayden, her 4-year old son. Jayden attends El Sereno Elementary's state PreK program. His mother loves the program, even though it is only for 3 hours per day.
(
Deepa Fernandes/KPCC
)
Ms DeLelio is starting her three-hour afternoon class at 11.30am. She teaches El Sereno Elementary's state PreK program to 23 children from 8am-11am and 23 children from 11.30am-2.30pm.
Ms DeLelio is starting her three-hour afternoon class at 11.30am. She teaches El Sereno Elementary's state PreK program to 23 children from 8am-11am and 23 children from 11.30am-2.30pm.
(
Deepa Fernandes / KPCC
)

Parents have to perform logistical acrobatics to make the three-hour daily sessions work. And researchers say full day programs are just better.

Last year, California subsidized preschool for about 135-thousand children - nearly 70 percent of them in half day classes.  Monday through Friday, they attend school for three hours a day - either in the morning or the afternoon.  

KPCC's Deepa Fernandes looked into what can be achieved in just a few hours - and how working parents coordinate such a short school day.