What to Consider When Looking for A Preschool for Your Little One
Preschools are great for kids because they facilitate their social and intellectual development. However, the type of preschool you choose for your kid can make all the difference when it comes to how good their development in those aforementioned areas is. With many options to choose from, finding a preschool for your child will require careful consideration of some factors. Here are some of the important aspects to think about when looking for the perfect preschool for your child.
Location of the School
The location of the preschool is vital when it comes to convenience. You need to pick a location that will fit perfectly into your daily life. You can choose one that is close to your home, one that is close to your place of work or one that is somewhere between your home and workplace. A preschool that is close to your home is highly flexible for a family with a considerable number of occupants. You can drop off your kid when heading to work and someone else can pick him or her up later in the day. If the schedule allows, you can also pick them up yourself when coming from work.
However, if there's no one else in your home and you and your spouse or partner work considerably far away, choosing a location close to home may not be the best of options. That's because if there's a problem at school, for instance if your child gets hurt or falls sick in the middle of the day, then you will have a long drive back.
A location close to work will help prevent such issues. Besides, it's an excellent way for you to bond with your kid. However, the long drives, especially if there's traffic, can be too exhausting for a tired and sleepy child. Therefore, if you want the best of both worlds, choose a school that is somewhere in between.
Duration
For how long will your kid be at the preschool? Preschools offer half-day or full-day services or both. Consider what suits your child depending on factors such as their level of independence. However, if your kid is just starting out, you may want to go for the half-day option first. That's especially true if he or she has been spending most of the time with you. Leaving him or her for the full-day hours can lead to separation anxiety. Therefore, start with the half-day, then transition to full-day when they finally get used to classroom settings.
Staff-to-Child Ratio
Ask about the number of kids each staff member handles. You want your kid to receive the maximum attention and care, so choose a preschool with a low staff-to-child ratio.
Contact an early learning centre like Hopskotch Kindergarten to learn more.