How To Choose a Preschool

 Preschool helps to form your child's relationship with school. It helps him or her to develop social skills, and in today's preschool environment, it also teaches him or her many skills needed for Kindergarten.

With the changing landscape of schooling, preschool is almost a necessity. Schools expect children to come into Kindergarten with some basic skills in place. Preschool becomes the foundation of all of your child's schooling.

Choosing a preschool is a big decision. You need to make sure that it will provide your child with the education and social aspects he or she needs to prepare for the rest of his or her schooling.

Consider Different Types of Educational Approaches

Preschools have different ways of approaching education. For example, a Montessori preschool Redmond WA will use a method that encourages independence and self-direction. It provides a creative approach with hands-on learning techniques.

Another example is HighScope, which involves a lot of structure, but play is the center of all activities. The approach seeks to make learning a fun thing where kids learn without even knowing it.

Assess the Teachers

You should also consider the teachers in place. Are there enough teachers? Preschoolers need a lot of one-on-one attention and care, so you want to be sure that there is enough staff to provide a safe environment for your child.

You should also watch the teachers in the classroom if possible. This will allow you to see how they interact with the children. You want patient teachers who are willing to allow children some freedom while also ensuring order over chaos.

Take a Look at the Classroom

Harvard suggests visiting the classroom and looking it over to get a sense of the overall feel. You should expect a preschool to be fun and happy. There should be a lot of activities. Look for a range of things that show the classroom is set up to teach a variety of skills.

You should also expect to see organization so that each activity center is clear. You want to see a lot of opportunities for the children to easily move from activity to activity.

Final Choice

Making your final choice in a preschool will require considering the overall impression you got from the school. You want to be sure it is a safe, encouraging, and welcoming space for your child that also suits his or her personality. Sometimes, a great preschool may just not be for your child, so make sure you take everything you learn about the school and consider how it matches your child to reach a final decision.