|
07-20-2009, 06:05 AM
|
|
Junior Member
|
|
Join Date: Jul 2009
Reputation: 10
|
|
Good school towns with full day kindergartens?
Have been reading this board for suggestions of good school towns in NJ and have been looking into Ramsey, Mahwah, Madison, Chatham, Summit, Montclair and Morristown. A good train service to the city is also a plus for us.
However, it seems like in most of the places we've been looking into, the kindergartens are only half day. We live in the UK right now and my 5 year old is already doing a full day so for him to go back to a half day is not ideal. Anyone know of good school towns in NJ (or even NY) that offer full day kindergartens?
Thanks
|
|
07-20-2009, 07:22 AM
|
|
Senior Member
|
|
Join Date: Dec 2007
1,235 posts, read 452,839 times
Reputation: 194
|
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by MrMustard
Have been reading this board for suggestions of good school towns in NJ and have been looking into Ramsey, Mahwah, Madison, Chatham, Summit, Montclair and Morristown. A good train service to the city is also a plus for us.
However, it seems like in most of the places we've been looking into, the kindergartens are only half day. We live in the UK right now and my 5 year old is already doing a full day so for him to go back to a half day is not ideal. Anyone know of good school towns in NJ (or even NY) that offer full day kindergartens?
Thanks
|
Don't rule out a town based on this!!!! You could be ruling out some great towns.
Most towns have some sort of extension program that you can sign up for. Also, many parents who need full-day choose to keep their kids in a private Kindergarten for a year and then move to the public school in 1st grade.
Also, if your only reason is that your son can't go back to a half-day program, I wouldn't worry about that. He can. If he has a parent with him during the day, the half-day works out fine. They send home homework usually, you can sign up for activities, playdates with other kids, etc. The day goes remarkably fast!
Good luck!
|
|
07-20-2009, 07:43 AM
|
|
Member
|
|
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: Springfield, NJ
89 posts, read 73,026 times
Reputation: 19
|
|
I agree with luckyshoes, there are many solutions to half-day, great programs, including in Summit, they have Connection for women and families which offers a great program w/ transportation. I used to volunteer for ESL there and think it was a warm and nurturing place... Good luck,
I'm in Springfield that has full day kindergarten, haven't started there yet, but parents llike it alot except the drop off takes a while, that's the only negative I've heard. |
|
07-20-2009, 09:06 AM
|
|
Senior Member
|
|
Join Date: Mar 2007
1,859 posts, read 1,554,360 times
Reputation: 681
|
|
|
Boonton Township (not to be confused with Boonton Town) has full day K. But I agree with the other posters. There are lots of choices for the other half of the day. The YMCA here has a "fun in the morning / afternoon" program that most of the K kids seem to do. They even provide bussing from K to the YMCA so parents who work can take advantage.
|
|
07-20-2009, 09:22 AM
|
|
Not a member
|
|
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: Ocean County
1,057 posts, read 357,846 times
Reputation: 326
|
|
|
He's only in that grade for one year anyway. Seems like a very petty reason not to move to a town, a decision that will affect you for many years. Personally, I think sending a five year old away for 8 hours a day is overkill in the first place.
|
|
07-21-2009, 04:08 PM
|
|
Member
|
|
Join Date: Jan 2007
65 posts, read 78,457 times
Reputation: 22
|
|
|
Hillsdale in Bergen County offers full-day kindergarten. It's a lovely town!
|
|
07-21-2009, 04:53 PM
|
|
Senior Member
|
|
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Highlands, NJ
1,538 posts, read 1,166,065 times
Reputation: 885
|
|
|
Are you looking for full day because there won't be anyone home to take care of your child?
I ask because, really, as VeradoDan said, making a decision on one year of school seems strange.
It's only kindergarten. What's the difference if he is singing ABC's and cutting/pasting/coloring for 4 hours or 8 hours?
|
|
07-21-2009, 08:05 PM
|
|
Real Estate Agent
|
|
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Somerset County
23 posts, read 13,306 times
Reputation: 14
|
|
|
Bernards Township (Basking Ridge) has full day kindergarten. I love this town and I love the full day program!
|
|
07-22-2009, 04:25 AM
|
|
Junior Member
|
|
Join Date: Jul 2009
Reputation: 10
|
|
|
Thanks for the suggestions. As for the questions, we're currently living in the UK and wanted to rent somewhere in NJ for a year while we check out various areas to settle in permanently. I know a lot of towns after after school programs, etc. but they are about $500 per month, which is a bit steep for us at the moment.
|
|
07-22-2009, 06:52 AM
|
|
Senior Member
|
|
Join Date: Dec 2007
1,235 posts, read 452,839 times
Reputation: 194
|
|
|
Yes, they do cost and I'm not sure why anyone would do one unless they needed it for daycare reasons.
If one of you is home, half-day Kindergarten is fine, you don't need a full-day program. They learn everything they need in the half-day.
Good luck!
|
Please register to post and access all features of our very popular forum. It is free and quick.
Detailed information about all U.S. cities, counties, and zip codes on our site: City-data.com.
|
|
Welcome to City-Data.com forum! Make sure to register - it's free and very quick! You have to register before you can post and participate in our discussions with 700,000 other registered members. User profiles and some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your free account you will be able to customize many options, you will have the full access to over 15,000 posts/day about local topics and you will see fewer ads. 
Linear Mode
