What You Need to Know About Choosing a Preschool
Finding a good child care program, especially when it comes to preschool for your children, is essential. After all, preschool is so much more than just a day care center with a few babysitters. Preschool is the place where your young child learns important development skills, like counting, the alphabet, and getting along with other children. Preschool is the first step towards your child's education. This is the place where your child will learn to interact with other children and develop important social skills for the future. It's an important investment in the future, so make sure you choose wisely.
Know Before You Go: What to Look for in a Preschool Program
Many people look at preschool as child care programs. While it's true that preschool functions differently than a regular school class room, there is much more that goes on at preschool. A good preschool will help your child grow and develop educationally and socially. When choosing a preschool look for the following.
- Be sure the preschool is licensed. All preschools and child care programs should be licensed in your state and city.
- Consider the preschool hours. Is it half day? Full day? How many breaks? This is especially important information to know if you are a full-time working parent.
- Learn the teaching philosophy. Consider the preschool's teaching philosophy to make sure it matches your own personal parenting style.
Don't Forget to Make a Visit
Most preschools welcome a visit from the parents. Before you enroll your child in preschool or any other of the child care programs offered in your area, be sure to make a site visit. You can check the number of teachers verses the number of babysitters on site, see how children are interacting with each other, and get a general feel for how the preschool is run. Plan to stay for at least 20 minutes and quietly observe the atmosphere of the school. You'll be grateful you followed just a few tips before you enroll your child in preschool.
