Full Day Versus Half Day Kindergarten

by | Nov 27, 2019

Kindergarten

Current Research

Although there are a range of reasons why you might choose a half- or full-day kindergarten program, we think it is important to look at current research.

Data shows that full-day kindergarten programs can help children make significant academic gains. This is particularly true when the students come from a non-native English speaking background or they have underdeveloped literacy, math, and vocabulary skills. One study in the UK found that approximately 80% of children who attended full-day kindergarten were at or above national school readiness norms.

Furthermore, a study in the US from the early 2000s found that full-day kindergarten programs had positive impacts on students’ language and academic learning, as well as parent satisfaction with the programs themselves.

If you are concerned with child stress, fatigue or irritability caused by increased kindergarten duration, research does not support the existence of these effects. Research has found no difference between fatigue levels of half- and full-day kindergarten attendees. It is suggested that a full day in class may be less stressful for young children because it allows time for more developmentally appropriate instruction.

It should be no surprise that extended-day kindergarten seems to have dramatic and lasting effects when it is high quality. It makes a difference when teachers are certified, a comprehensive curriculum is implemented and strong supervision is provided. 

GSE’s core business is to set up, manage and improve schools throughout all regions of the world. Our extensive team is well recognised as being “education experts” who know how to operate schools in unique and varied contexts.  Contact us to explore ways that we can support, improve and accelerate your school’s performance.  

About GSE

Global Services in Education plans and opens international schools for investors, developers and governments, and manages them once they are running. 39 school projects delivered across 16 countries. Management agreements run a minimum of ten years.

The company was founded in 2011 by Greg Parry and Shanna Parry.

School development · School management

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