When it comes to choosing the right programs for daycare or preschool for your child, it's important that you choose one that will be the best fit for you. After all, preschool will create the foundation for your child's future education. With that in mind, you need to do your homework before you make your final determination. Here are four things you should look for when choosing a preschool for your child.
Established Preschool Education Program
If your child is going to be enrolled in a preschool, you want to make sure that they're spending a good portion of their day involved in active learning. That doesn't mean that they need to be at a desk all day. However, it does mean that active learning needs to be going on throughout the day. When choosing a preschool, steer towards those that have an established preschool education program already implemented. That way, you can look at the program and decide if it's right for your child. A good preschool education program will include plenty of hands-on activities for young minds to get involved with.
Active Parent Participation
Children need active participation from their parents when they're going to school. That active participation should include preschool as well. When choosing a preschool, make sure the ones you're considering encourage active parent participation, whether through parent volunteering, or through other forms of participation. It's also important that you make sure they offer a variety of ways for parents to participate, especially if your schedule requires special accommodations.
Effective Parent-Teacher Communication
Your child's preschool education is essential to their success throughout their early education. In order for your child to succeed in school, you need to know how they're doing. The best way to ensure that is through effective parent-teacher communication. Before you choose a preschool for your child, make sure they provide the level of parent-teacher communication you'll need, including weekly progress reports and parent-teacher conferences.
Appropriate Disciplinary Policy
If your child is going to be attending preschool, you want to make sure that the disciplinary policy is age-appropriate. After all, you don't want your preschooler to be disciplined for minor behavior problems under guidelines that would be best-suited for older children. While you're in the process of choosing a preschool for your child, take the time to study each schools disciplinary policy. That way, you know you'll be choosing one that has a policy most in keeping with your specific parenting style.
I remember staying at home when I was a young child until I entered kindergarten. However, when I had my first child as a working mother, I realized that it was a good idea to transfer my child from a standard daycare facility to a preschool after I learned how they differ. Preschools typically have teachers trained in early childhood education, while many daycare centers do not. However, I became overwhelmed with all of my local preschool options and had to learn about all of the various types of preschool education offered today before I made my final decision. I was very happy with my choice, because my little one is now thriving in her new preschool. I am now researching elementary school options. I am eager to share what I have learned, and am still learning, about child education with anyone who needs the advice on my new blog!