If you’re going back to work soon and your child is at that age when they should start kindergarten, you are surely thinking about finding them the best center possible. Here are some things that you should keep in mind when starting your search.
Make sure your kid is ready for kindergarten
First of all, before you start your search, you want to ensure your little one is ready for kindergarten. If your child can go to the bathroom on their own and put on their shoes and coat, they might be ready for this step. Moreover, kids need socialization that they simply cannot get at home, especially if they’re only children. No matter how difficult it might be for you to let them go, early childhood education is vital and you should do everything in your power to provide them with a quality kindergarten.
Ask around for recommendations
Once you’re sure you can start your search, ask around for recommendations. If any of your friends have kids, maybe they know of a quality kindergarten where you can send your little one. Perhaps you can even talk directly to their kids and see what they like about the center particularly. However, it’s important to remember that not all kids have the same needs and what your friends might like might not be what your family needs.
Do research on your own
On the other hand, if none of your friends are parents, you can do your own research. Find a list of the kindergartens that are available in your area and look into every single one of them. Visit their website to learn more about them, go on their social media, check out the comments people are leaving, and see if parents are sharing their experiences. You can even contact other parents online to hear a more in-detail explanation for their opinion. Familiarize yourself with each kindergarten to be able to narrow down your choices.
Consider their location
Something else that you need to keep in mind when doing your research is the kindergarten’s location. For example, while you might want to look for something that is close to your workplace so that you can easily pick up your kid, keep in mind that your office might change its address or that you might find a better job somewhere else. Therefore, it is much better to look for a kindergarten that is located near your home. If you can walk there in 20 minutes, you will not even have to use your car to pick up your kid and you will both get some exercise. Moreover, you also want to ensure the kindergarten is in a safe part of town.
Take into account their working hours
Besides their locations, you also want to see the working hours of a few centers. If you need to drop your kid off before you go to work and pick them up on your way back home, you should take a look at whether their hours match your schedule. While not all preschools offer all-day care, you can surely find some that fit your requirements. If you can’t make it work, you might have to rely on someone else to pick up your kid, whether it’s a friend or a family member.
Look into their program
In addition to the location and working hours, the curriculum is what should also matter to you. As you want your child to get a quality education, you should look for licensed centers such as the St Ives preschool that provide children with a safe and stimulating environment where they can learn through a variety of activities. It will greatly benefit your child to find a kindergarten that focuses on collaboration, communication, creativity, and critical thinking seeing as how all of these skills are vital for success in life later on. Furthermore, look into their disciplinary policies and practices and decide whether you agree with their approach.
Learn more about their staff
While a licensed kindergarten surely has experienced and trained staff members that will take proper care of your kid, you still want to ensure that is the case. So, check the center’s website to see whether you can find any vital information about the teachers and their education. If there is no such information, perhaps you can schedule a visit to see how the preschool operates and how the kids are being treated.
Schedule a few interviews
Having done your research, you’ve surely found a few places that you are considering. Don’t make any rash decisions but schedule a few interviews. That way, you will get a chance to walk the premises, see what they offer, meet with the staff, and get a better idea of how the kindergarten operates. What is more, remember that you don’t have to make the decision during your tour. Take your time and let the impressions settle.
Ask as many questions as you want
During your interview, you want to take the opportunity to ask as many questions as you think will help you make your decision. Ask about the staff, the working hours, and the premises. See what your child is expected to bring along every day. Go through the safety measures that are in place. If you think you might forget some questions while on the tour, write them down in advance. Don’t be afraid or embarrassed to ask whatever you want to know as it’s only normal that you want the best for your kid. Having these necessary answers can help lower your anxiety about leaving your child in an unknown environment.
Don’t forget about the prices
Finally, something that you should not let slip your mind is the price. This is often the prevailing factor when it comes to enrolling kids into a kindergarten. It’s very important that you are able to afford the center you are looking into as you want your little one to be able to attend it on a regular basis. Remember that it doesn’t mean that the most expensive one is automatically the best one.
If you’re looking for the best kindergarten for your child to attend, keep these ten tips in mind when making your decision.
Mike is an Australian business consulting specialist. He’s working with companies that outsource their IT maintenance. He often writes about technology, business, and marketing and is a regular contributor on several websites.