Healthy Kids • YMCA Child Care
How to choose the right preschool for your child
08 August 2016 - by Cheryl - YMCA Child Care
Whether parents are sending their children off to preschool for socialization or preparation for kindergarten, finding the right program can be complicated. The more you know about your potential choices, the easier it will be to make the final decision.
Ask for a tour
Make sure the classroom is spacious enough for your child to explore. Furniture should be kid-friendly and children should have easy access to engaging activities, books, and toys.
In addition to classrooms, check out the kitchen/food preparation room, bathroom areas, and outdoor play spaces. Are these areas organized, clean, and inviting? Children inevitably will catch more illnesses at a preschool because they will be around others, but well-maintained and clean facilities can help minimize these occurrences.
Understand the curriculum
Learning and teaching philosophies differ from school to school so be sure to ask about the curriculum and the areas of development it focuses on. While structure is important, look for a program that allows children to make choices about their own learning. Most preschool-aged kids learn best through hands-on activities and play rather than instructor-led lessons.
Go beyond academics and inquire about how the program strengthens children’s social, emotional, and motor skills. A high-quality preschool will include plenty of opportunities for active play, which can help kids develop these crucial skills while helping them build lifelong healthy habits.
Our curriculum, YMCA Playing to Learn, prepares children for primary school education by using play as a learning medium. YMCA educators provide preschoolers with indoor and outdoor play opportunities that support and encourage their social, emotional, cognitive, and physical development.
Look for soft skills in addition to educational qualifications
In choose a preschool that is best for your child, parents should inquire about the qualifications of the educators and support staff at each visit to a centre. Don’t forget to ask the director for testimonials or references as there is much to learn from both current and past families.
It’s also important to pay close attention to the interactions between the teachers and children. You want to look for an educator who is very engaged and brings the school's educational philosophy to life through the activities they plan. When meeting with a teacher, don’t forget to ask them about their current classroom. A strong and dedicated teacher will be able to speak about the interests and needs (academic and personal) of the children.
Keep in touch
Parents and teachers all want the best for children, and providing opportunities that develop a love for learning. Communication between parents and early childhood educators play an important role in preparing preschoolers for kindergarten.
As you make your shortlist of potential preschools, find out how they keep parents in the loop. Do they have email newsletters or development reports that go out regularly to parents? Are they active online on social media and are they responsive when you contact them?
At the YMCA, children’s learning experiences are shared with parents through the Continuum of Development booklet. Parent/educator conferences are provided two times a year and email newsletters are sent out regularly to inform families about special events and activities happening in our YMCA programs.
Looking for quality child care? The Thornhill Brownridge YMCA Centre is now accepting registrations for Toddler and Preschool programs. Our academically sound curriculum and child care educators will provide your child with the foundation for success in kindergarten and beyond. Inquire today!
Editor’s Note: This post was originally published in August 2016 and has been updated for comprehensiveness.
Ask for a tour
Make sure the classroom is spacious enough for your child to explore. Furniture should be kid-friendly and children should have easy access to engaging activities, books, and toys.
In addition to classrooms, check out the kitchen/food preparation room, bathroom areas, and outdoor play spaces. Are these areas organized, clean, and inviting? Children inevitably will catch more illnesses at a preschool because they will be around others, but well-maintained and clean facilities can help minimize these occurrences.
Understand the curriculum
Learning and teaching philosophies differ from school to school so be sure to ask about the curriculum and the areas of development it focuses on. While structure is important, look for a program that allows children to make choices about their own learning. Most preschool-aged kids learn best through hands-on activities and play rather than instructor-led lessons.
Go beyond academics and inquire about how the program strengthens children’s social, emotional, and motor skills. A high-quality preschool will include plenty of opportunities for active play, which can help kids develop these crucial skills while helping them build lifelong healthy habits.
Our curriculum, YMCA Playing to Learn, prepares children for primary school education by using play as a learning medium. YMCA educators provide preschoolers with indoor and outdoor play opportunities that support and encourage their social, emotional, cognitive, and physical development.
Look for soft skills in addition to educational qualifications
In choose a preschool that is best for your child, parents should inquire about the qualifications of the educators and support staff at each visit to a centre. Don’t forget to ask the director for testimonials or references as there is much to learn from both current and past families.
It’s also important to pay close attention to the interactions between the teachers and children. You want to look for an educator who is very engaged and brings the school's educational philosophy to life through the activities they plan. When meeting with a teacher, don’t forget to ask them about their current classroom. A strong and dedicated teacher will be able to speak about the interests and needs (academic and personal) of the children.
Keep in touch
Parents and teachers all want the best for children, and providing opportunities that develop a love for learning. Communication between parents and early childhood educators play an important role in preparing preschoolers for kindergarten.
As you make your shortlist of potential preschools, find out how they keep parents in the loop. Do they have email newsletters or development reports that go out regularly to parents? Are they active online on social media and are they responsive when you contact them?
At the YMCA, children’s learning experiences are shared with parents through the Continuum of Development booklet. Parent/educator conferences are provided two times a year and email newsletters are sent out regularly to inform families about special events and activities happening in our YMCA programs.
Looking for quality child care? The Thornhill Brownridge YMCA Centre is now accepting registrations for Toddler and Preschool programs. Our academically sound curriculum and child care educators will provide your child with the foundation for success in kindergarten and beyond. Inquire today!
Editor’s Note: This post was originally published in August 2016 and has been updated for comprehensiveness.
