Your child hitting preschool age can be a very exciting time. It’s when they’ll start their lifelong learning journey and make their first friends, but as a parent, it can also be nerve-wracking. In most cases, it will be the first time you’re leaving your child in the hands of people you probably don’t know too well. And the things they learn and develop in preschool they will carry with them throughout their life.
This puts a lot of pressure on parents to pick the right preschool. There is a lot to consider, but this is not as hard as it sounds. This short guide will make sure that you don’t overlook the essentials.
- Location: If you’re thinking that you wouldn’t mind driving far for the best school, just remember that you will not be the only one in the car now. Simply sending your child to preschool is already a big change in their life. A long drive there and back is only going to emphasise the distance from home and make them feel more overwhelmed. If you’re looking for Blacktown childcare, then perhaps stick to Blacktown and the surrounding suburbs rather than heading into the city. This will also help you avoid getting stuck in traffic with a toddler in the car.
- Credentials: There are a few different aspects to this. Firstly, you will want to know about what kind of background checks staff undergo before they are employed there. Then there is their training, which includes first aid and how they prepare for emergency situations. If the preschool you are considering is more of an academically focused one, then make sure the teachers have backgrounds and qualifications in early childhood education.
- Teaching methods and interactions: There are various teaching methods that preschools may use, from traditional teaching methods to Waldorf, Montessori, and more. Some will also teach a combination of the two. You can choose which is right for your child, although discovery-based programs that incorporate educational games tend to be highly recommended by experts.
Something else that is important to consider is the teacher-to-student ratio. Generally speaking, the lower the better. Preschool is not simply childcare. What they learn here could give them an excellent headstart for when they start actual school.
- The classroom and facilities: Your priorities here will be to make sure the classroom looks inviting and fun, is not too crowded, and is well-lit, clean, and safe.
- Hidden costs: If you do not choose a publicly funded preschool program, then the fee for the school will obviously be something you consider. But remember that there may be hidden costs too, whether it is a public or private preschool. These could be extra charges for supplies, early drop-offs, or late pickups. There may also be items that you are expected to supply. This could be anything from packed lunches to a set of spare clothes.
- Communication: Technology provides many different options to communicate with parents today. Each preschool will have its own policy which it thinks strikes the best balance between keeping parents informed, keeping the children safe, and letting the staff do their jobs.
Ask for the details when you’re on a visit.
