Parents Encouraged To Enroll Children In 7-Hour-A-Day Preschool Program

Education officials are encouraging parents to enroll their children in a full 7-hour preschool day instead of the traditional half-day session.

Supporters say full-day preschool programs better prepare kids for school and life.

“She’s more independent,” said Georgina Hernandez, the mother of a preschool student enrolled in the 7-hour program, “she’s learning a lot of English and that’s why I like the program.”

To qualify for preschool, children must be from military or economically disadvantaged families or have limited English proficiency.

In El Paso County, about 1,500 preschoolers are currently enrolled in full-day instruction.

Research has shown preschool programs are important in a child’s development, according to Mariana Balsiger, an assistant director with the El Paso Independent School District’s Early Childhood Education Program.

“Not only socially, but educationally,” adds Balsiger, “these programs will help determine the success of that child later in life.”

A new study published by the Journal of Medical Association reveals children who attended a full, 7-hour preschool day at age four score higher on language, math and socio-emotional development as opposed to children enrolled in a half-day program.

Not everyone is on board.

A federal study published in 2010 shows that while head start children showed measurable benefits over others, by the end of the first grade, there were few significant differences.

Administrators at Region 19 point to latest research showing the positive effects last until a child is 9 years old.

“It isn’t just a full day program,” said Rosita Apodaca with the Institute for Learning Research Development, “It is a quality full day program.”