Preschools are very important for your child and for you because they help both of you get used to the idea of them being at school. It also helps them to get a bit of a headstart on their education, so when they do start school, they won’t be so overwhelmed. Many children meet friends at preschool as well, so when they start school, they already know some of their classmates and that makes the transition a lot easier. 

Picking the right preschool for your child can be tough because there are so many different factors to consider. If you are trying to choose a preschool for your child and you don’t know where to start, these are some of the things you need to think about. 

The Staff

 The staff and how they interact with the children is one of the first things that you should look at. It’s important that you find a preschool where the teachers and other staff interact well with the kids and care about them. You are leaving your child with people that are essentially strangers, and if you don’t think that your child will be happy, it makes things so hard for you. But you will find that your separation anxiety is nowhere near as bad if you are confident that the staff will take good care of your child and you know that your child will feel comfortable around them. Make sure that you meet with as many staff members as possible and sit in on a lesson if they will allow it so you can see how they interact with the children. 

The Curriculum 

Preschool helps your child to prepare for the start of school, so it’s important that you look at the curriculum as well. A good kinder curriculum should cover a broad range of topics, like STEM subjects as well as arts and humanities. You should also look for a preschool that teaches more general life skills, like sustainable living and physical education as well. A well rounded preschool curriculum will help to ease the transition into school and give them a big head start, so make sure to consider it carefully. 

Safety 

When you are leaving your child alone for the first time, it’s vital that you think about their safety. You can’t take it for granted and assume that preschools are always going to be safe because that is not the case. It’s important that you ask about the safety measures that they have in place, and check that there are first aid trained staff members on site at all times. You should also make sure to take a look around the playground and inspect the play equipment to see whether it looks safe or not. You can’t afford to take any chances where your child’s safety is concerned. 

 

When you are trying to choose the right preschool for your child, it’s important that you consider all of these factors. Make sure to ask your child as well because you need to find a place that they will be happy in. 

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This is a contributed post.