Enrolling a child in the right preschool or kindergarten is important for him to get a positive impression of school life. But choosing a preschool can be tricky if parents don’t know what to look for. Here are some tips that parents will find useful.
Talk to Friends and Relatives
Word of mouth can be helpful here. Nothing beats the real experiences of people you know and trust. Ask friends and relatives who have enrolled their children in preschools. That will give parents a better idea of what kind of preschool to choose for their children.
Visit Preschools
Though many preschools and kindergartens have open days for potential new students, many don’t present the real picture. Open days are often “done up” to impress parents. So if possible, arrange to visit potential preschools when classes are in progress.
Sue Cowley, teacher and author of Getting your Little Darlings to Behave [London: Continuum, 2006], advises parents to observe how the staff work and how the children behave during such visits. She says the staff should focus on the children’s welfare and happiness with lots of smiles and welcoming faces; set clear expectations of positive behavior and are willing to answer questions that parents raise.
“The students should seem happy and contented, polite and helpful to adults and other children, seem engaged and interested in learning,” she writes.
Check Preschool Environment
A good and reputable preschool often presents itself very well too. Look out for colorful and well maintained displays; clean and tidy classrooms and play areas; child-friendly learning tools, furniture and toys as well as a spacious and fenced outdoor playground. Ask about safety measures and precautions at the preschool too.
Find out about Educational Opportunities
There should be plenty of different areas for learning at a preschool. Cowley suggests that parents look for a preschool with a good balance of academic pursuits and more creative activities. That means there should be a good mix of early reading, writing, counting, art and music.
Ask also about opportunities for learning through play (water and sand); outdoor activities (gardening and sports); cooking lessons, field trips and other extra-curricular clubs and events. These are all attributes that exist in quality preschool education.
Parent-Teacher Communication
Parent-teacher communication is crucial to ensure the child is happy and learning well. So there should be a good system already in place to keep in touch with parents. Many schools have a communication booklet that the child brings home everyday for parents to read and be updated of the latest happenings at the preschool. Parents should also be able to directly speak to the teacher or staff involved when there is such a need.
When a child has good and happy experiences at preschool, he will be able to adapt to school life more easily when the time comes. So ask around, visit potential preschools, check the school environment, look for a good mix of educational opportunities and inquire about the parent-teacher communication system used.
Those who find this article useful may also be interested in reading about Getting Ready for School, First Year at School and Easing School Anxiety.
 |
