Studies show that early childhood education is extremely important in implementing a love of learning that will last a lifetime, creating a higher chance at successful future education, and even relationships. No pressure right…?
Don’t worry! We wouldn’t tell you how important your child’s early education was if we didn’t have some tips on how to choose a preschool you and your child will both love!
PUBLIC OR PRIVATE
Deciding whether to put your child in public or private school is an important first step that will help you narrow down everything else. Here’s some things to consider when choosing between public or private school.
Public
Pros
- Free
- Must admit anyone in their district
- Transportation available
Cons
- Limited curriculum
- Large class sizes
- Low funding
Private
Pros
- Large variety of learning styles
- Small class sizes
- More flexible with age of enrollment
Cons
- Costly
- Less extra-curricular activity
- May have more strict enrollment requirements
Another con of public preschool? They’re not so easy to find in every state. If you don’t have access to an affordable school, look into the Head Start Program, to find out if you may be eligible for free preschool. Spots are limited though, so head over there now so you don’t miss your opportunity.
They also have an early head start program for expecting women, so it’s never too soon to start utilizing these resources.
ONLINE OR IN-PERSON
Online school is becoming increasingly more popular these days. Though excessive screen time tends to be frowned upon, a great preschool understands how to balance moderation and emphasize the importance of beneficial screen time.
In Person
In person preschool can be a wonderful option, especially if your child is a social butterfly. Preschool classes may last just a couple of hours, or an entire day, and arranging pickups and drop offs around your work schedule may be a factor to consider.
In person preschools will provide various hands-on activities, learning centers/toys, and sometimes even snacks or meals. Many preschools provide field trips at no extra cost, and some may charge a fee.
Online
Online preschool may be a great option for your family if you have a child that would benefit from learning in a quiet home environment. There’s many online preschools that allow for the opportunity to socialize with other children though, so this can still be a great option for your social butterfly.
Online classes tend to be much shorter, usually 30 minutes to an hour long, in order to create memorable learning with limited screen time. There’s a wide variety of class times and days to choose from so you can work around your schedule.
Many online schools will send supply boxes to help with hands-on learning activities, and provide free resources for you to extend your child’s learning at home. They may go on virtual field trips during class, or provide you with the resource to explore with your child at home.
Also, if you’d like your child to attend one of our favorite online preschools (it’s even FREE, woohoo!), you should check out Denise’s Creative Kids Virtual Preschool! Come join Denise & Ollie the Crow for an unforgettable virtual preschool experience. Signup is FREE and your child will love learning with 70 of Denise’s best online preschool lessons!
INVITING ENVIRONMENT
No matter if you choose online or in person, you should choose a school with an inviting environment, and an inviting teacher. Here’s some questions you should ask yourself after attending a preschool tour, even if it’s a virtual tour.
- How did the teacher interact with your child? Were they friendly, smiling, and warm?
- What is the school’s policy on discipline?
- Is the environment inviting to a child? Were there learning posters on the walls, art supplies, and other age appropriate activities?
- Were there plenty of books?
- Was there anything that wasn’t inviting about this school?
HANDS-ON TEACHING
Preschoolers learn through play. A great preschool will provide hands-on learning, in a fun way. In person or online, a great preschool teacher understands the importance of keeping your preschooler’s attention. If the preschool you’re considering is telling you all about the great worksheets your child will do every day… trust us, you can do better.
Singing, dancing, puppets, movement breaks, and play are all words you want to hear when it comes to choosing a great preschool.
Social and Emotional Milestones for 3-Year-Olds
Olivia Smart
Thank you for explaining some of the pros and cons of private and public preschools. I’ve been wondering what I should be thinking about and considering while choosing a preschool for my kids. I’ll have to consider these while looking at some of our local options.