Choosing a kindergarten involves determining if your child is ready for school, deciding on priorities and philosophy, and researching options. Four main learning philosophies are Montessori, High/Scope, Waldorf, and Bank Street. Visit facilities and ask about schedules, rates, discipline, safety, and staff turnover.
For most parents, their children’s education is uppermost on their minds. At about 2 1/2-3 years of age, children can start attending kindergarten. What should you consider when choosing a school for your child?
There are several things to take into consideration. First, is your child ready for school? What are your priorities? Which philosophy fits yours best?
Kindergarten is a big step in a child’s life. Before packing your child, first determine if he’s ready for it. Must be socially, physically, emotionally, and cognitively ready for the demands of preschool: most children are over 2 1/2 years old. Is your child ready to participate in a structured program with their peers? He is independent: can he take care of his basic needs and use the potty?
More importantly, can your child be away from you for the duration of a preschool session? Is your child able to work independently and participate in group activities? He must also be used to a schedule and able to stick to a routine without great difficulty. Also, he must be able to get through a session without needing a nap.
Once you determine that your child is ready for kindergarten, you need to sort through the many options available. First, decide what is important to you in a kindergarten. Is comfort the top priority? Do you want to send your child to a school with a specific approach to learning? Do you want to emphasize music, art or academia, or does free play appeal to you more?
There are four main learning philosophies parents can choose from when considering the type of preschool they want to send their child to.
The Montessori Program emphasizes the importance of all living things. Encourages children to find their own meaningful place in the world while promoting independence. Practical skills and sensory and cultural awareness are taught as part of the curriculum. The High/Scope approach promotes active engagement with people, ideas and events. Children are encouraged to pursue individual goals and interests. The Waldorf approach believes that a person is made up of three aspects: the spirit, the soul and the body. The task of the kindergarten is to stimulate and develop these three areas by immersing the children in an educational environment. In schools that use this approach, children have time for creative and free play. This approach is more group-oriented than the first two. Bank Street’s approach is child-centred education. Children are given many opportunities for physical, emotional and social growth. Bank Street advocates believe that children are active learners, experimenters, artists and explorers. Social studies is emphasized in this type of preschool.
If none of these philosophies match yours, or you don’t need a school with a defined philosophy, there are plenty of independent preschools that march at their own pace. There are church-run programs that may or may not integrate religion into their curriculum. Many cities have community-run preschools, such as the YMCA. If you would like to be an active participant in your child’s school, there are parent-run cooperative preschools where you can share teaching or care responsibilities.
Once you determine what kind of program you want for your child, be sure to do your homework. Research the background of the school; ask friends and neighbors for information. Check your local child care resources or referral agencies. Check the accreditation of the school.
One of the most important steps in choosing a preschool for your child is a visit to the facilities. Get your kid so he can give it a try. Ask about schedules, rates, vacation schedules, discipline, and so on. An important question to ask is what the child-teacher relationship is. A good ratio for 2-3 year olds is 1:5, for 3-4 year olds 1:7 and for 5 year olds 1:15.
Make sure the facility is safe, clean, and inspiring. Ask about staff turnover – if teachers are staying, they probably enjoy working there. Also, it’s good for your child if there is continuity of care. Whatever your priorities are when choosing a preschool for your baby, you will no doubt have many decisions to make and many options to choose from.
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