Choosing the right preschool is the first step towards making sure that your child is prepared for grade school. Contrary to what you might have heard, this process is not difficult at all.
The key to choosing a preschool is knowing what you want your child to gain out of their preschool experience. This will help you figure out what to look for regarding the program and the curriculum offered by the preschool.
Here are some tips to help you choose the right preschool for your child!
Know and understand your child’s strengths and weaknesses
Figure out what our child’s strengths and weaknesses are. This will help you identify if a particular preschool that can help address your child’s weaknesses and build their strengths. Ask about the school’s programs and curriculum for reference.
Go back to the basics
Think about the basics first. How will preschool affect your daily life. Do you need the preschool to be near your home or your office? Is it important for the preschool to have childcare services offered on both morning and afternoon? Do you want the program to include a lot of extra-curricular activities? Answering these questions can help you narrow down your choices according to your desired location and setting.
Do your research
Make a list of prospective preschools by doing your research. Reach out to your friends, family, or neighbors for recommendations. Seek their advice based on the important factors you have identified. Personal references can come in handy in situations like this, don’t hesitate to reach out for help. Search the internet to find information about the preschools in your area. Visit the school’s website and check their programs and curriculum. Remember to read the reviews so that you’ll be warned of any red flags or complaints.
Visit the centers
After your research, you should have your list down to about 2 or 3 preschools. Start scheduling your site visits. It will be better if you bring your child on the tour so they can also get a general feel of the school. Have your questions ready before you do your visit. What are the schedules, curriculum and the programs that the school offers? Ask yourself if it is a place where your child can get an amazing learning experience. Do you think your child will feel welcome in the school? Do the other children look happy and comfortable in the setting? Is the environment clean and safe for your child?
Along with these questions, try to notice how the children and teachers are interacting with each other. Are the teachers able to establish genuine connection with their students? Are they able to hold the attention of the kids? How is the interaction between the teachers and other parents? Asking questions and being observant about the setting during your visit can help you make a final decision.
Ask your child for their opinion
Before choosing a preschool for your child, ask your child their opinion about it. It is important that you consider your child’s choice, too. Ask them which preschool they think would make them the happiest.
It is also essential that you select the setting where your child will be comfortable while learning. Preschool should be a place where they will not only be taught the fundamentals of academics; but it should be a place where they will grow their love for learning.
It may be easier to choose a preschool for your child when following these tips. Looking for a preschool that will nurture your child’s holistic growth? Please consider our Colorado Springs preschool.
Callum Palmer says
It really is important to take the article’s advice and actually visit the preschools that you are considering for your kid. After all, relying on an online review or a few parent testimonials isn’t enough, you need to seek how the school works in person. Visiting the school in person should also give you the chance to ask the teachers and staff any questions you might have about how they handle and teach the kids.
Rosie Beckett says
I am looking for a preschool for my daughter and I am glad that I found this article because I did not know that visiting different preschools can be such a big benefit. You make a great point that when you visit the facility you should make sure that it is clean and that the teachers provide a fun and calm environment. Also, I will make sure to take my daughter with me on the tour because I want to make sure that she feels comfortable at the preschool.
Bethany Birchridge says
I like how you mentioned that you’ll want to find a preschool that is convenient for the location you’ll be at most. My friend wants to return to the workforce, so she’s been looking for preschool for her son. These tips will help her find a great one, but is there anything else she should keep in mind?