Selecting a preschool is a very important decision in a parent’s life. You need to find people you can entrust with your child’s life for a few hours a day while you’re at work or running errands. In addition, you also want to find a place where your child can learn to develop academic and physical skills. Here are six tips for choosing a preschool for your child.
Consider Location
When selecting a preschool, you should consider which location you want it to be close to, whether it is your home, work, or somewhere in between. If you find a good centre away from these locations, then you will need to decide if it is worth the extra effort to drive to it. If it’s a great preschool, then the extra effort may make a big difference in your child’s life.
Speak with Other Parents
A good way to judge whether a preschool is right for you and your child is to discuss it with parents who have children enrolled there. Arrive when the children are being picked up and speak to some of the parents waiting for their children. This can help you find out if the school will meet with your expectations.
Read the Inspection Reports
All preschools undergo inspections to find out if the school is safe for children and to check on the quality of care they receive. Ask for this information and read it carefully. A preschool you like may have some marks against it, but it could be for things you don’t care about, which is why you need to ask the administrator questions when you read something you don’t understand.
Plan Visitations
Even if you already have a preschool in mind, you should visit other ones in the area. The visits can reaffirm your selection, or you may find a preschool you like better. Never enrol your child without visiting a facility first as it may not meet the expectations you have.
Seek Information
While visiting preschools, you need to ask questions about the practical information you’ll need. What happens if your child is ill? Can they attend school, or will you need alternative daycare? What are the operational hours? Can you change the days and hours you drop off or pick up your child if your work schedules change? Write down a list of information you’ll need to know so you won’t forget which questions to ask.
Works to Develop Skills
A good preschool should work to develop your child’s physical and academic skills whatever age group they are in. Ideally, they won’t have preconceived notions about children’s development at the ages of two, three, or four because children learn at different rates. However, they should have the knowledge to recognise problems with your child’s development and alert you as needed. Learn more about classes for toddlers at toddlertown.ae.
Another way to obtain information about the nurseries in your area is to look them up online. Then you can read about their curriculums to find the right preschool for your child.