As a parent, you need to start making decisions about your child’s education straight away. You need to think about the toys that you buy them and the games that you play with them, and how they may improve their education. When they are old enough, you will also need to think about preschool. If you are not sure whether it is the right choice or not, you can read about some of the benefits here.
If you are going to send your child to preschool, it is important that you know how to choose the right one, and a lot of parents don’t know where to start. If you are trying to decide between preschools, here are a few things you should consider.
The Teaching Staff
A lot of people think that teaching philosophy is the most important thing to consider, but it’s actually the teachers themselves. The philosophy of the school is important, but it is the teachers that will really make or break your child’s preschool experience. When you visit a school, try to take note of how the teachers interact with the children. Do they speak to them on their level and ask them questions to encourage their curiosity? Do the children seem to be comfortable and relaxed around them? Do the teachers look like they are enjoying their time with the children? These are all important questions that give you some insight into the relationship that the teachers have with the children.
The Director
The director may not have direct contact with your child on a daily basis, but they have a very important role to play. They set the curriculum, choose the teachers, and manage the budget. All of the big decisions about your child’s education go through them, so it’s important that you meet them and ask a lot of questions. It is at this point that you should ask more questions about different educational styles and how they impact your child’s learning.
Separation Policies
Different schools have different separation policies for parents. Some places are happy for you to hang around outside the classroom for a while until your child is comfortable, while others will insist that parents leave right away and don’t have contact with their child during the day at all. There is no right way to handle separation anxiety so you have to think about what works best for you and your child and find a school that shares that view.
Feedback From Other Parents
The director of the school is always going to sell you on the benefits of the school, but if you want a clearer picture, you need to talk to other parents that have their children at the school. If you can schedule a visit in the morning or after school, you can meet the parents and ask them questions about their experience with the school and the teachers, and how they handle any problems that the children have.
As long as you cover all of these things on your visits, you will be able to find the perfect preschool for your child.
