How Do You Choose the Right Preschool for Your Child?
Preschool matters because it can help your child to develop intellectually as well as socially. What's more, it prepares him or her for kindergarten and gives them an edge over other kids when the time comes. However, as exciting as taking your little one to preschool sounds, finding the right school for him or her can be quite a daunting task. That's because there are many preschools available and some careful considerations have to be made to find the perfect one for your kid. If you have never done this before, you may not know what to consider or the right questions to ask when choosing a preschool for your child. To help you make an informed decision, consider the following.
What Do You Need?
This sounds simple, but it can actually make your search for the ideal preschool for your kid much easier. Start with the basics and look at how the preschool fits into your daily life. For instance, do you need a school that is closer to your workplace or home? Answering this simple question will help you narrow down your search to a specific location. Comparing different preschools will become easier the fewer the options are.
What Is the Educational/Academic Philosophy?
Educational philosophies vary widely from one preschool to another. Some preschools put more emphasis on academics while others are inherently play-based. Some philosophies focus on the individuality of the child in the process of learning while others promote the kids' problem-solving skills through exploration or creative thinking. Others use multiple learning perspectives involving both the classroom and outdoor settings while others let the child take charge of his or her own learning by allowing them to plan for themselves how they would like to spend their day. Consider your priorities as well as what your little one is ready for before choosing a preschool for them.
What Other Philosophies Are Employed?
Preschools also utilise other philosophies outside the academic ones. These philosophies will sometimes be evident in the name of the school. For instance, is the school faith-based, child-centred or teacher-led. Faith-based preschools are often run by churches and other faith organisations according to the philosophies of that faith. Child-centred, on the other hand, are simply preschools that place emphasis on the interests of the child while teacher-led are the opposite of child-centred settings where the teachers come up with the schedules for the activities of the day. Remember to do some research on such aspects when looking for a preschool for your kid.
Often overlooked, always take your child with you when visiting prospective preschools. His or her response to the school environment, the teachers, and other kids will help you know whether he or she will fit in well. For more information, contact a school such as Jenny's Kindergarten.