All day or half day preschool for almost I say full-day as long as there is nap time. Both of my kids go to full time all day every day at get about a two hour nap every day. I love where they go that also makes a difference. I would personally choose the half-day program for now. I would think he could move up next year or even the year after as I'm assuming he won't go to kindergarten for three years? For my kids, napping was ESSENTIAL at that age. Especially for my son. He grew out of naps at 3 1/4, but I enforced "quiet time" until 3 1/2. Then it started to intefere with potty training so naps and quiet time ended then. I can't imagine having had him go all day at that age. We didn't have a suspicion of a diagnosis though either. My dd went to an afternoon pre-school last year starting when she was 2 1/2 - but it was only one day a week. She got naps every day but that day - and she was always tired on that day (which happened to be Wednesday). But, for me - the positive social interactions and skills she got out of that one day a week were much more important than that one nap she didn't get that week. Occasionally, she even did two afternoons a week - but that was rare. I can see the advantages of having more intensive services all day, but I just think that for a lot of kids at that age - it would just be too much. I don't know if you have the option of starting in one and changing if it's not working? Or if you'd even want to do that? My two and a half year old has evaluation for autism through the school this friday.  If he qualifies, he can go to all day or half day preschool in January.  I am debating about which would be better.  Here are my pros and cons. Pros All day interaction All day around other kids Less TV time My mom watches him and my baby, so she would get a break Cons No nap - cranky kid If he's cranky, he will get less out of our RDI activities He is only three - is he ready to be in school all day? The preschool is not specific to treating autism.  Most of the kids probably have speech delays and some other delays.  He would have a parapro that would help implement his specific goals and treatments (i.e. PECS, no ABA or anything like that). Any opinions about what would be better or experience having a three year old in school all day? Both of my boys go for 1/2 day program. I think that my older boy needs more time because he will be in Kindergarten next year and should get used to the schedule. My 2 1/2 yr old does just fine with the 1/2 day program, they both go 5 days a week. As soon as my youngest gets home he is so tiered he has some milk and takes a 2 1/2 hr nap, I cant imagine him going any longer right now as I think he would fall asleep at school. If you think your son will be ok without the nap and would be productive all day then try the all day, personally I think 1/2 day is just enough to keep them focused. And also give your Mom that 1/2 day break as well. Good Luck!   Kim My four year old goes 1/2 day five days a week.  That is enough for him right now.  I don't know if he could focus for longer.  He will go all day for Kindergarten next year.  I expect him to be exhausted when he gets home.  On the other hand, I think if they had offered me an all day preschool I would have tried it since it stands to reason that he might learn more given more time interacting especially if the para is there all day.  I would probably give it a shot in full day as long as changing to half day is an option.  That way you don't regret it later.  Do you know if they have "quiet" or "nap" time in the all day one.  If they have that then I would choose the all day.  I have taught both and I always felt that my half day kids did not benefit as much as the all the kids. 2 1/2 seems kind of young for a full day.  I'd try 1/2 day now and move up to full day when he is 3 1/2 or 4.My son went to pre-k at 3 years old...he went to the full day program...they included naps b/c they knew he would need one at that age. He didn't stop napping until kind. It definetly depends on your child.  My son was in a full day program last year and they took 2 hr. naps which was ridiculous to me.  He wasn't a napper so I had to pick him up whenever someone wasn't avail. to work with him while the other kids napped, which was most days.  His full day program this year, is very intensive and they DO NOT have nap time in any of the classrooms.  The kids are kept busy and stimulated all day.  They get to take their time at lunch and have music and storytime, however, which I consider relaxing.  My son is able to handle it, however he is 4 1/2, and needs to be prepared for kindergarten next year.  Even at 2-3, I would go for the full day if it's a high quality program with lots of opportunities for them to learn with some downtime.  Is his teacher/aide trained in autism disorders?  They should be if that's his dx. Well, I have one child for whom nap time would have been a complete waste of time and another who it would have been essential at that age (although I don't know if either of them would have napped there). I think it totally depends on the child. However, I think it is NOT okay for the poster who was forced to pick up their child for nap time - that' INSANE! Did he have an IEP? Then they should have someone there to work with him during that time! How can they make you come pick him up because THEY don't have anyone to work with him? I'm not an expert, but I think that is illegal. If not, it should be! The whole thing about IEPs is that they are INDIVIDUALIZED educational plans - which means that they should work with each child and meet his/her specific needs. If the child needs a nap and they usually have time for a nap - well, that is great. If the child doesn't nap, there should be someone to work with him/her during nap time - especially if it's TWO HOURS! That is just crazy! I meant to comment on that, I can't believe you had to go and pick your child up during nap time. There are parents at my childrens daycare who for their own reasons do not want their child to nap they have separate rooms for them or they take them outside to play , weather permitting, or they work with them in another room , that is insane what they made you do.Your right it does depend on your child. But I am glad they get some nap time in. Otherwise they would be bouncing off the walls at night with me. I don't consider it wasted time. It was decided Abby was to be in a Mainstream daycare setting so all of her therapist come to her . Still waiting for some of them. We also do other therapies two nights out of the week. For the other seven hours those kids our on there toes. I am glad they get to rest their weary heads and eyes for awhile to recharge. I didn't realize that some schools have "nap time". I guess my ds' kindergarten class has "rest time" - which he goes to the ASD room because it is virtually impossible for him to stay completely silent for 20 minutes. I mean - he COULD, but he would be totally wound the rest of the day. Anyway, neither of my kids would have slept in a classroom. Heck, my ds hasn't slept in the CAR since he was 18 months old! My dd won't sleep in the car either unless she is absolutely, utterly exhausted. She won't nap at grandma's or any place but her room - and that is getting rarer these days.   So, I guess if you think your son would nap in a different setting, then that might be good for him to be getting more services. Let us know what you decide!
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