Typical Day

Most elementary schools offer half day kindergarten programs, with students attending either in the morning or in the afternoon. Some schools offer a full-day kindergarten program, where students attend for the same hours as other grades in the school.

A kindergarten day includes a balance of large group, small group and center activities, as well as many opportunities for movement, active play, and hands-on investigations. Any schedule must be flexible enough to allow for the “teachable moment,” unplanned events, and time of year. Students participate in activities offered to other primary children, such as music and PE classes. Each day also includes snack or lunch time.

Half-day Schedule

Half-day kindergarten students are assigned to a morning or afternoon session by residence address or day care provider. Parents may request that their child be assigned to either the morning or afternoon program at the time of registration, but may be required to provide their own transportation to and from the school if the request is honored. Details about transportation for half-day kindergarten students are available at the kindergarten transportation page.

Full-day Schedule

Full-day kindergarten allows the teachers and children time to explore topics in depth and in a less-rushed atmosphere. The ratio of transition time (arrival and opening, clean up and departure) to class time is reduced so there is more instructional time. Full-day students also have a lunch period.

Full-day kindergarten students attend school for the entire day. The extended day provides increased time for students to further develop their social, emotional, and cognitive skills, actively engage in child-initiated small-group activities, and interact with others. The Fairfax County Kindergarten Program of Studies objectives are the same in both full-day and half-day programs. Details about transportation for full-day kindergarten students are available at the kindergarten transportation page.