7 Considerations When Selecting a Preschool for Your Child
Every parent suffers some anxiety when they send their child to preschool for the first time; even more so if they are not sure of the choice they have made. Selecting your child’s preschool takes plenty of thought. You should ensure that the teachers are caring, the facilities are more than adequate, the curriculum comprehensive, and the fees affordable. If you are keen on the learning approach, then you may need to consider that as well. Some learning approaches include Reggio Emilia and Montessori. Here is a quick checklist to help you know what you should consider:
- Location – This is something that every parent must consider. Most people prefer a preschool that is close by because it is very convenient. This makes it easier to drop off your child on time in the morning and pick him or her up in the evening. You probably don’t want to have to wake the child too early in the morning as well. If the preschool is far away, this may be inevitable. If you have a job, it may also be a good idea to consider a preschool that is located near where you work. This way, you will not be late picking up your child when you come off work.
- Duration – Initially, you can opt to put your child in the half-day program. This means that your child gets out of school at about half past noon or 1 pm. Alternatively, you can have the child remain in school until around half past 3 in the afternoon. They usually take a nap in the afternoon.
- Affordability – Like most people, you probably have to consider the cost. It is important that you select a preschool that works well for your budget. Most parents who have thought through their child’s education ahead of time will have saved money to go into their child’s education, which gives them more choices to pick from.
- Accreditation – This is very important. You need to make sure that your child goes to an accredited preschool. The school should be registered with the proper governing bodies and licensed. This is a good indicator that they have put in place measures for your child’s safety and looked into hygiene and health among other things.
- Promoted values – Your child will be spending a lot of time at the preschool, so you need to make sure that the values promoted there match those that you want your child to learn. Find out about how they resolve conflicts, discipline the students and if they are affiliated with any religion. Also be sure to look into their core values.
- Teaching approach – There are a variety of teaching approaches, each one with its merits and demerits. You will need to review them and pick the one that you think best works for your child. Some of the methods of teaching that you should consider include Montessori, Reggio Emilia, and Waldorf among others.
- Class sizes – You need to make sure that the classes are not too large because the teacher-student ratio affects how well students are taught. The classes should have just enough students to enhance interaction between the teachers and students.
With this checklist, selecting your child’s preschool will be much easier.
Thank you,
Glenda, Charlie and David Cates
