I also do not support mandatory FULL-DAY kindergarten. Please don't ask me to quote my sources, but I had heard that studies had shown that there were no differences between children who had attended half-day kindergarten and children who attended full-day kindergarten once they were in 1st grade and beyond.
AdoptAmiga--I understand your point about wanting our children to prosper in a global market. But, I disagree that what is best for my child is to be so scheduled--I especially don't want to go towards a system like you are describing in China! All day preschool for my 3 year old?? Not for me. But, I only work part-time and am able to stay home with my children and give them tons of early education from home. I understand that many families are unable to do this--especially in these hard economic times.
My boys are 6 and 8. We try very hard to NOT schedule extra stuff in their lives. They are each allowed one extra-curricular activity at a time (currently one does soccer and one is doing gymnastics). Do I think music lessons and Scouts and language lessons and art lessons would be beneficial to them?? Definitely...but I also see the value of them being able to just come home, do their homework, and play, play, play in the backyard for hours.
Michele