Preschool might not be quite the same thing as sending your kids off to college — though some parents may feel like it when they drop their kids off for the first time.
However, the preschool years are some of the most formative years in a child’s life.
It is there that they will learn how to socialize and interact with others. They’ll also learn about shapes, colors, and numbers.
Plus they’ll make some cool art, like hand-turkeys and cotton-ball clouds.
Get ready to turn your fridge into an art gallery!
Now, you won’t just want to blindly send your kid off to preschool. You’ll want to check out your options and make the best choice. Here are a few things to think about.
Safety
When it comes to picking a preschool, you want to make sure you feel comfortable with the safety of the school and its location. Does it look clean and well-cared for? Is it in a decent neighborhood? Is the playground fenced in?
Don’t settle for a place that you have qualms about, unless you want to save money at the cost of worrying all day.
Curriculum
Granted, your kid won’t be learning history and algebra, but it’s still nice to know the teachers are helping them develop important skills. Are there a variety of activities like art, music, and storytime?
Does the school have a particular educational approach?
Community
Being a class parent is also being part of a community. Is it important that your child attend a preschool that’s somehow tied to a particular social, ethnic, or language-based community?
Moreover, will your child get along with the other children in class? Will you get along with the parents?
Cost
This is one of the toughest factors to consider when picking out a school for your child. You’ll have to balance out the cost of the school with the above factors. A school may have everything you want, but be out of your price range. It may be affordable, but make you feel uneasy.
In addition to discussing the finances, you can also ask the school if they have scholarships available.
These are some of the key factors you’ll want to consider when picking out a preschool. Of course, in order to pick one out, you’ll need to think about all of the available options.
Be sure to conduct extensive research on all of the local preschools in your area. Starting a child’s formative years out right can benefit them for years to come.
