How to Choose the Right Preschool for Your Child
Singapore has a stellar educational system and has been hailed as one of the best nations. The number of childcare facilities is a clear indication of how much value and attention everyone places on schooling. Parents want their kids to learn as early as possible and encourage them in whatever way possible. However, with so many schools in the area, choosing the right one for your child to begin their academic path may also be a challenging endeavor.
Choosing the right preschool for your child may be extremely stressful, particularly if there are many options and parents are trying to decide between foreign and local preschools. But ultimately, whatever works best for your child will be the greatest choice. Preschools, however, may be the initial step in helping your child begin their academic path and also help them develop a distinctive sense of self. This implies that picking a preschool for children requires careful consideration as well.
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Is preschool important?
Early childhood education is crucial for a child’s cognitive development. Furthermore, it influences how people behave, including how they follow basic guidelines and regulations, interact with their peers, share with them, and even put things back where they belong. When they are young, these abilities might appear unimportant, but they are the very values and social skills that will benefit them later in life.
Preschools are the place where children develop their skills whether social, physical motor, and many more before they are to join the next level in their education. Preschool teachers also help students grasp language skills more by asking them questions and introducing new vocabulary to them.
What to consider when choosing a preschool?
The best preschool is the one that feels right for your child. It is the one that will best suit them and will make them feel comfortable with learning. However, there are also some other factors that parents should look into when choosing the preschool for their child.
1. Budget
You should think about how much you’re willing to pay each month. The majority of parents want to know the school fees before enrolling their child in the institution, as private and government preschools have different prices. However, remember that preschool is just the beginning and that your child still has a long academic journey ahead of them.
2. Location
The location of a school is also a major consideration, and this is especially true for preschools. Parents prefer that their kids live nearby or at their place of residence. Enrolling your child in a preschool located miles away from your home or place of employment is not a smart choice. Given how much time you both spend getting them up and leaving them off in the morning, your child is likely to be exhausted. In addition, the parent may become overwhelmed as a result. In the event of an emergency, parents should also think about how long it will take them to get to their child.
3. Student-to-teacher ratio
How many students will there be per class? This is also important to know before enrolling your child in a preschool. There is a guideline with regards to the student-teacher ratio in childcare centers in Singapore, however, also research on the advantages and disadvantages of bigger or smaller class sizes to help you set your own expectations and what’s best for your child.
4. School hours and curriculum
Additionally, parents should think about whether they want to enroll their child in a half-day or full-day program. It’s vital to consider and research the programs offered by the preschool and what will work best for both you and your child, as some preschools in Singapore only offer full-day programs. The same is true of the preschool’s educational program; parents have the option to select particulars like Montessori. Many others, on the other hand, choose flexible learning and playing. Selecting a program that your child can simply adapt to and fit in with is also the ideal option.
5. School facilities
The school’s environment is also a very important factor to consider. Is the school well-equipped with facilities to encourage creative learning? Is it clean and safe for children to play and run in? Will there be cleaners to sanitize the areas, and how often will the areas be sanitized? These are only some of the questions that will help parents in determining the best for their child.
How to choose the right preschool for your child?
As well as the factors parents should consider in choosing a preschool, here are also some tips that may help you narrow down the search or just make things a little bit easier for you.
1. Visit preschools in person
It is not the same as visiting the school in person to speak with the management over the phone or to browse their website and social media accounts. Additionally, you won’t get all the information you require—or even know you might need it yet. You might have some questions right now that you didn’t consider when you were browsing their website.
Many preschools have opted for a virtual tour around their school. However, if the school administration permits you to enter the premises in person, take the opportunity to understand the environment better. On a tour, you will be able to see the operations of the school as it is and will be able to feel the atmosphere it gives off as well. Do the children respond to their teachers well? Are they interactive? How do the teachers respond to their students as well? Do they answer their questions properly and openly?
Parents will be able to observe the condition of the school in addition to how it operates. You can keep an eye on the place’s cleanliness. Additionally, parents can check to see if they have all the amenities their kids need to have a comfortable stay, such as a play or nap room. Additionally, they will be able to check the cleanliness of the restrooms, which ought to be a primary concern. Children’s development benefits greatly from a clean environment, and parents can make an informed decision about whether or not to enroll their child in preschool by observing it firsthand.
2. Put your child’s needs first
Choose the preschool that is most appropriate for your child. Since each child is unique, some preschools may be more equipped to manage particular situations than others. In these cases, prioritizing your child’s needs will be crucial when selecting a preschool. It’s best to let the school know if your child has particular learning requirements. This will assist them in determining whether or not to admit your child. A preschool with professionals educated to meet the requirements of your kid is especially essential if they have delayed development. Your child’s needs should come before everything else because you want them to have the greatest care possible.
3. Look for positive and caring school staff
Children who have more caring and positive teachers have a more advanced development. But it shouldn’t just stop with teachers. Children should be surrounded by people who care about their well-being. Trusting relationships will influence how they relate with others. When the school staff shows positivity, parents will be at ease knowing their children are in good hands.
4. Check for teachers with the right qualifications
Preschools with qualified teachers offer superior child care. In addition to putting parents at ease, this will guarantee that pupils get the finest care available. Parents should look at the center’s instructor turnover rate in addition to the teachers’ credentials. Since it takes time for kids to get to know new people, frequently switching teachers might have an impact on them.
5. Engaging teaching methods
Visiting the school firsthand will give you the impression of how the teachers interact with the children during lessons. However, this will also be more achievable by creating a friendly relationship with your child’s teacher. Parents and teachers have the same goal – it’s to give your child the best learning experience. By being friendly with your child’s teacher, it will help you understand your child better and also you will be able to ask the teacher questions regarding how they conduct their lessons and how your child responds in class.
Additionally, you can ask the teacher if there is anything you should know or what you can do at home to support your child. Additionally, you can use chat applications or emails to get in touch with your child’s teacher. Just be careful to refrain from nagging and ask for information at the right moments.
6. Enough time for physical activities
Physical activities enhance children’s early development and stimulate brain growth. Free play allows them to expand their social competencies and promotes social growth. They will also be able to concentrate better in school and also sleep better. Enough playtime will also encourage them to learn to interact with other children and maintain a healthy body and develop their muscles and bones.
Conclusion
Selecting your child’s preschool is an important choice that sets the stage for both their academic and personal development. Singapore’s extensive educational system provides a wide range of choices to suit different requirements and tastes. Parents can choose options that meet their child’s specific needs by carefully weighing aspects including cost, location, student-teacher ratio, school hours, and facilities. Selecting a caring, well-equipped preschool with certified teachers will guarantee that children start their educational path with confidence and excitement. Early childhood education is crucial in forming cognitive, social, and emotional development. In the end, the greatest preschool is one that encourages a love of learning while assisting with the child’s overall development.
Carelle
Carelle is a teacher who has been through the ups and downs of the teacher and learner life. She wishes for every learner to gain educational satisfaction that will help embody the people they want to be in the future.
