While preschools have the general motive of preparing little ones for enrolment into primary school while instilling a love for learning, they do not happen to be all the same when it comes to what they have to offer. In fact, it’s how they differ that makes them interesting and stand out from one another. From the countless numbers of preschools out there, how will parents pick out the ideal one for their child? Here are some pointers in the right direction for those who need them.
The teachers: Do you have a good feeling about them?
Preschool teachers should first and foremost have the relevant qualification for the job, hence it should not pose a problem to inquire about their certifications. They may or may not need to have educational background, for everyone needs to start somewhere – but if the preschool is a renowned one and sees fit to use a teacher who lacks experience but shows promise in her passion and interest in teaching, then it should not be an issue. It would be great to get to know all your child’s teachers, especially his or her class teacher, for your peace of mind. You can tell a lot about an individual from the way they interact with their students. Another point is when the teaching staff has been at the preschool for a long time – this on its own indicates that he or she is happy working there and loves the job enough to remain teaching in that same preschool!
The preschool’s accommodation of learning styles (including your child’s personal needs)
Children generally do not all learn the same way, and may have different needs that need to be met for them to thrive. There are children who need their lessons to be structured, and then there are those who learn better through play. There may also be super-shy or sensitive students who need more one-on-one attention and encouragement to engage with teachers and peers. Do you know what your child’s learning style is, and how his teachers can accommodate them? While this is something to think about, it can also be something the teachers at the potential preschool you’re about to check out can help you with.
Hygiene matters!
We may not be talking about the pandemic anymore, but this still remains the need of the hour! Sanitation and hygiene has to be prioritised at all times for the well-being of our kids, and when we’re not around, and they are left with teachers, staff and peers, it is only natural that we expect that they are in a clean and hygienic environment, that is regularly sanitised, fumigated, and deep cleaned for the wellbeing of our precious little ones. As a parent, take heart that you have a right to inquire about this matter, so do ask about their sanitation steps, including how and when the preschool undergoes cleaning.
What is the preschool’s teacher to students’ ratio?
This is in fact an important factor to pay attention to, for the smaller the class sizes and the lower the teacher-child ratio, the better it is for your child. Less students in a class means that the teacher will have more time to pay attention to each of her students, including your child, solve classroom issues more efficiently, and develop better curriculum material too. Lower ratios and smaller classrooms allows for a better sense of order, with the teacher being in a better state of body and mind to teach, guide and deliver her lessons more effectively, which, at the end of the day, benefits your child as a thriving preschooler.
Are occasional observations by parents permitted?
It is especially important for parents whose kids are attending preschool for the first time, to be able to observe and gauge if their child is engaging positively in class, and to offer ideas on what may help. Not only will this allow parents to have some peace of mind, but it will be helpful for the child too. Allowing parents to occasionally observe their child’s interactions in class will definitely go far in terms of open, sincere communication between the parents and the teachers, which in turn is paramount for a child’s positive experience as a preschooler. After all, a good preschool should have nothing to hide. On the other hand, let it be understood that there should be boundaries to observe too. Parents need to respect the teacher’s profession when in class in order for them to be able to carry out their duties well as educators. Hence, parents should observe the instructions given to them on the best ways to communicate with teachers and with the school establishment. A good preschool should also offer opportunities for parents and teachers to meet up regularly (ideally monthly), to discuss the child’s progress and development and how to best help him.
Security measures taken by the preschool for the students’ overall safety
As a parent, you should never take anything for granted, and that includes inquiring about the security measures the preschool has in place, and if they meet up to your expectations. After all, nothing is more important than your child’s safety and wellbeing while he is at preschool. Among what you should be inquiring about are the preschool’s employee screening procedures, besides its procedures on keeping children safe from strangers and so on. If you have made up your mind on a preschool for your child, do not neglect to inform their staff on the matters regarding who can and cannot pick up your child from school, either during school, after school, and so on.
Should you pick a reputable preschool only?
It has always been a keen practice by most parents to lean towards a name that is already known and trusted. After all, our children only have one chance at their early education, and we naturally would want them to ace it, and more importantly, enjoy their precious growing years. However, do know that it is perfectly alright to enroll into a new or unheard of preschool if you have checked it out thoroughly and have ticked all of the boxes or more. The choice, ultimately, is yours to make, so do your thing, Mummy and Daddy dearest!
