The short answer
- Half day covers the morning lessons. Children go home around lunchtime.
- Extended half day adds lunch and part of the afternoon, often including a nap.
- Full day runs until the evening, so parents who work full time can pick up after work.
Exact times differ from centre to centre, so ask for the session times and the latest pick-up.
Which one fits your family
- If both parents work full time, full day is usually the only option that covers the working day.
- If someone at home can pick up at lunchtime, half day gives your child the lessons and more time with family.
- Extended half day suits parents who work part time, or a child who is not ready for a full day yet.
Some centres let a child start on half day and move to full day later. Ask whether you can switch, and how much notice they need.
What happens in the afternoon
Morning lessons are much the same across sessions. The difference is the afternoon. A good full-day centre has a routine: lunch, a nap, then play, reading, homework help or activities, not hours in front of a screen.
Ask to see the full-day timetable, and visit in the afternoon if you can.
What to ask on a visit
- What are the session times, and what happens if you are late for pick-up?
- Who prepares the meals, and can they handle allergies or a vegetarian or halal diet?
- Where do the children nap, and what happens if a child does not sleep?
- Is the centre open during school holidays and public holidays?
- Do they offer transport, or after-class care for older siblings?