How to Choose a Preschool for Your Child

There’s substantial evidence that children gain valuable skills by attending preschool. These pre-kindergarten schools can act as both child care and learning centers, preparing young children for their education experiences to come. They’ll benefit even more, perhaps, from learning to get along with other children.

Choosing the right preschool is an important part of preparing your child for life. It’s the foundation for starting a good education, something that can have repercussions for years to come.

But selecting a school will also be based on other factors, such as your schedule and the many types of preschools and the curriculum they offer.

With so many options for children, how can you pick the right one? Here are some things to consider.

Teacher training

One of the most important things to consider — and also something that can have a dramatic impact on cost — is the experience, training and qualifications of the preschool’s educational staff.

Some preschools are almost indistinguishable from day care centers, where children will have a safe place to spend time but not necessarily a rigorous academic foundation.

Others focus more on learning specific skills and knowledge taught by fully qualified and certified teachers with college degrees.

Neither philosophy is necessarily wrong, as some parents don’t want to rush their young kids into academic rigors, while other parents are all about giving their kids an early start from educational pros.

The important thing is knowing exactly what training, higher education, experience and certificates are held by your child’s teacher. Only then can you decide if they’re a good match for your expectations.

Length of day

Another aspect that can vary with different preschool programs is the length of the day.

Some schools are designed around just a few hours per day, while others are full-day programs that offer more time for learning and play. Again, neither method is necessarily superior, but you should know the schedule up front and make sure it meets you and your child’s needs.

Curriculum

The best preschools do a great job giving your child a head start on life, and the curriculum they choose can be a big part of that foundation.

Find out what curriculum materials and teaching style the school uses. Dig into the specifics of what your child will be learning, when and how. From the books they’ll be using to math basics and teaching social skills, know as much as possible about the learning process they use so you can make a better decision.

To think even further down the road, try to find a preschool that uses a recognized curriculum that will dovetail with your plans for their future education, whether in public or private schools as they get older. The schools they’ll be attending may have some good advice about curriculums that would leave your preschooler well prepared.

Playtime philosophy Studies show that play time serves an important role in your child’s mental and social development. You should make sure the preschool’s philosophy about play time is a good fit for your expectations.

We have openings in our Head Start and Early Education Child Care Programs. Contact us to enroll your child today!

Enrollment for children from birth to age five. We provide a learning environment that supports children’s growth and emphasizes the role of parents as their child’s first and most important teacher.

We provide service for Western Tidewater with location in Suffolk, Franklin, Courtland and Smithfield.

Learn more about us at

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