Finding a preschool for your little one is one of the most important decisions you’ll have to make. As you want to give them the best head start possible, you’ll want to find one that suits their needs down to a tee, along with other factors. But finding the right fit might feel very challenging at first – especially if it’s your first child and you’re not used to the process. To help guide you, here are five things to consider from the start, so that you find the best school for them. Here’s what to look for in a good preschool.
1. The location
This point might sound like an obvious one, but it’s still worth mentioning. When looking for a good preschool, it’s important that you find one in your local area that’s within easy reach of your home or office (or both).
The reason is that you’ll be able to get to them quickly to pick them up when their day comes to an end or if anything unexpected occurs, as well as making the morning dropoff easier for you and your partner. Although you might have factored in the location when buying your home, it’s still something that you’ll want to research heavily before settling on one.
2. Your child’s needs
To guarantee that they are attending a preschool that’s suitable for them, it’s important to keep in mind your child’s unique needs when looking at what’s available. Every child is different and it’s undeniable that some preschools are better equipped to provide specialized attention than others might be.
As part of this process, pay attention to the typical class schedule. By noting how much time is spent learning rather than playing, it will become clear as to which preschool is best for your little one.
3. Good preschool? Assess what the staff are like
Another key factor to consider is what the staff are like in each preschool. Look at how they interact with the children, their attitude, whether they enjoy their role, etc. This will help you to determine whether the preschool is suitable and if your child will benefit from attending there.
Looking for learning opportunities outside of the classroom? Check out Jamie Lee Hoffer’s Giggles & Stardust site for fun activities for preschoolers.
4. Safety protocols
Safety is vital within any preschool, so one of the first things you should do is ask about what protocols they have in place. Do they have an emergency plan if anything happens, such as a fire?
Is the playground protected? What is the student-teacher ratio like? These are all valid questions to ask the teachers or the school principal, and you would do a disservice to your kid if you didn’t ask them.
5. A good preschool environment
Lastly, what’s the environment itself like? Is it welcoming? Is it filled with drawings from students and other examples of their work?
Think through the type of environment in which your child will thrive and try and find a preschool that matches your vision. If your gut feels like it’s a good environment for your child to be in then it could be the right one for them (and vice versa).
Final thoughts
So, there you go! Those are five things to consider when looking for a good preschool for your child. By doing the above, along with reading reviews from past parents and comparing and contrasting various preschools in your local area, you’ll be able to find the most suitable one for them in less time.