Choosing a Great Preschool Can Get Your Child's Education Off to a Great Start

Choosing a preschool can be overwhelming. Once you start investigating, you'll want to set up meetings with a lot of preschools, and you'll need to do this in a hurry if your child has to start school this year. Get a couple of choices and be open to the idea of a home-school environment. Take some time and visit a few before you make a decision. Before you go into a preschool, be sure to review its website and set up an in-person interview.

Find out what they offer, how they plan to integrate academics with each of the specialties they offer, and what the policies are around child safety, so that you feel comfortable with the place. After compiling a list of schools, reflect on each institution's philosophy, and consider things such as transportation and distance. Do a site visit and check on your child's happiness. This article should get you to choose a great preschool to offer your kid a great start in education.

Features of a Good Preschool

In many cases, children must be at least 3 years old to enter a preschool program. However, there are no strict eligibility requirements for preschoolers. Anyone with a cognitive ability that is appropriate for the preschool setting, who is potty trained, and who is able to communicate verbally and through gestures can be accepted.

For special needs children, a speech therapist, occupational therapist, physical therapist, or other health professional would be best to determine the best program for your child. Here're six features for a good preschool:

• A Solid Reputation
• Passionate Teachers
• Child-Friendly Facilities
• A Safe, warm and nurturing Environment
• Active Learning

Preschool Costs

While preschool is offered for very low fees, cost is often a factor that parents worry about. However, most preschools provide the same level of care and services. Some even provide programs for specific needs, like students with special needs.

Several things affect the price: location, type of program, availability of toys and materials, program quality, and program length. The quality of the program is a major factor. Is the curriculum designed around children's interests and abilities, or is the curriculum designed around the needs of parents and other educators?

Preschools charge as little as $450 per month. Generally, the preschool price range is $450 to $1300 per month or $5400 and $16200 annually. But the cost of daycare or nursery school (preschool) depends on various factors including offered programs, approach, size and location.

Finding Local Preschools

The important thing to remember is that preschool is a developmental and educational experience that allows your child to develop these important social and emotional skills. This is why finding a great preschool is so important. When you're ready to start the search, start with a list of questions and then find one that matches your child's needs.

Keep in mind that you don't want to wait until your child is too old for preschool to get one. Some parents decide to wait until they can register before they visit a school to ensure it will meet their child's needs. For example, if your child needs a different curriculum from what's available, find a preschool that uses a similar method. Here're eight factors to consider when looking for a preschool: 

• Referrals
• First impression
• Accreditation programs
• Preschool teachers' qualifications
• Curriculum
• Outdoor space
• Signs of community
• Fine print

Final Thoughts

Some preschools that are highly-rated also require a fee, whereas others are free. Talk to the teacher and other parents before you pay. Even if it's free, make sure that your child is getting a quality education and get ready for kindergarten. Your child is now ready for preschool if they can sit, stand, or walk. Some preschools require your child to meet certain milestones before the teacher can start their lessons. A child who still cannot stand on their own may not be ready to learn how to walk. For these children, it is better to wait until your child is able to stand on her own before beginning any sort of formal learning. Other children may be able to complete a preschool curriculum before they are old enough to start preschool, while still others may not be ready to start formal learning until they have reached the appropriate milestone.