What to Consider Before Choosing a Preschool for Your Child

The early learning stages of childhood development are vital as their personalities, capabilities and self-development begin at this point in life. This makes choosing their first institutions of learning both an exciting and challenging experience for new parents. Carrying out due research on potential institutions and applying for tours at multiple places with your child can help you decide which is the most suitable option for your child depending on how they function at the facility. Below is a compiled checklist on things to check for before settling on an option.

Environment 

The early stages of a child's growth and development are laden with amazing brain development capabilities as it is at this stage where most neural connections are made through learning from their immediate environment.  A child requires high quality interaction with other people and their environment to develop and achieve their full potential

When choosing a program for your child, consider a place where there is caring interaction and presence of healthy social bonds as the pillars of growth and development.

Educational philosophy and study approach

There are different types of preschools and early educational institutions which have their own philosophies and developmental approaches based on their mission statements. When choosing an institution, consider whether the activities carried out are child directed or teacher directed, how diverse it is, how culture and religion are handled and how progressive the curriculum is to ensure that your child develops in the most ideal social and academic way later on.

There exists a number of early education institutions that include Waldorf, Montessori, head start, religious based and co-ops which all odder different developmental options. Choose one depending on your personal developmental aspirations for your child.

Gross motor play

Motor skills development is just as important as brain and social development. Check whether the institution has an outdoor playground or a gym that can address motor skill development. Some activities that are recommended are music and dance, jumping, running, awareness of body space as they are integral in helping children learn how to control their bodies and develop body coordination; both are crucial for future learning and development activities.

Motor skills in classroom are also an important aspect as they sharpen a child's ability to use their hands before they learn how to write. Some important fine motor skills include:

Cutting: teaching a child how to cut before they can write is ideal for strengthening their hands and instills a sense of focus.

Art and colouring: for improved hand eye coordination and motor control, painting using brushes, crayons and hands go a long way in fine tuning your child's overall ability with their hands.

Play-dough: this helps strengthen a child's hands and coordination, preparing them for more complex tasks ahead.

Teacher accreditation

Besides the school's accreditation, inquire about the level of qualification of the teachers since the more experienced, educated and skilled, the better equipped they are to help your child.