Give up nap for preschool?

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My son will start preschool next month. The teacher pushes for a 6 hour full day program, 8 to 2, which means my son will have no much time to nap after he returns to his family care. My son sleeps a lot and really loves napping. He usually naps from 12:30 to 3:00. He skipped nap once or twice in the past and seemed OK without napping until evening, then he would be fussy.

I want to put him in the half day program, but I am pressured by the school. I should say my son response to therapy very well in a daycare or class room setting. There are lot of things that he will do in his day care, but won't do in home without a little push. But I worry that full day will be too intense for him, especially without napping. Does the extra 10 hours per week worth it?

My son has been going to daycare since he was 2, and almost completely stopped napping since he's been there. He naps at home ok, still 2-4 hours even, but won't nap at school. Personally I just think there's too much distraction for him there. So maybe your son wouldn't be sleeping anyway, even if they did give him a naptime?

But don't let the school pressure you into more preschool than you want for him, if you want the half-day, just do that.

Funny, my son's preschool tried to make him nap when he didn't need one ... that was SO traumatic.

There is no one-size fits all answer at this age, and preschools should be flexible. Still, I understand with staffing and other concerns that they are not always able to offer a nap / no nap choice, in which case it is up to you to either select a different school, or determine what schedule will work best for your unique child.

So ... I would go with your gut, and do the shorter days.

i'd tell them that maybe he'll be ready for full days in a couple of months, but that for now such a dramatic transition is not in the best interest of your child..........i mean, not only are you having him start going to school at a new location with new people, but you're also asking that he give up his daily nap- too much change at once IMO