Once you are sure your toddler is now ready for preschool, the next step is to do your research in finding the best curriculum that blends well with your toddler’s needs and personality. You need to start as early as possible. Round up your area and list down your choices. After you have settled up on your preschool options, it is time to see your top picks in action.

Finding the best preschool for your toddler is not always easy. As surveys show, a good 50% of parents in the United States have difficulty selecting the best schools for their children. Hence, a preschool visit is always a helpful technique to help parents decide. Peeking inside the world of preschools provides you a solid basis on how proficient a certain school is.

Six Signs For A Good Preschool

Here are six signs you need to look for when visiting preschools.

Established Ground Rules

You know you have found a good preschool when the school has clear and well-defined written regulations from its operating hours to emergency procedures. The preschool must be flexible enough to adjust the drop off and pick up points of the students. Having a strict sick-child policy is also a good sign. The preschool must hold regular check-ups and immunizations. A school that promotes healthy eating habits and is keen on providing only nutritional meals and snacks show that it is taking its responsibilities seriously. Also, a good preschool will encourage you to visit anytime, requesting you to become a part of the community by asking for your assistance during field trips, school events and so on.

Trained and Sensitive Staff

Teachers and their assistants must be friendly, engaging and responsible. A good teacher will always ask you about your toddler’s condition, his likes and dislikes as well as your method of discipline. A good school must assign one teacher for every seven students. The staff must be busy and fully occupied with the students’ activities - helping toddlers complete their tasks instead of chatting with one another.

Clean and Child Friendly Environment

During your preschool visit, always keep an eye out for the school’s cleanliness. A good preschool must be hygienic and safe, one that meets the states’ licensing requirements. A good school must have an inviting and colorful setting that is divided into different areas (a study, play, eating, library and nap time area). A preschool building that is 100% child friendly secures your toddler, making him comfortable and safe helping him function well.

Controlled Disorder

Preschool is a time for toddlers to learn and play at the same time. A school must encourage the students to freely run around, explore, search and discover. Learning exercises must be incorporated with free play as well without pressuring toddlers to perform well. Hearing a cheery and excited buzz from toddlers is a sure-fire way to know that the preschool is good.

Excellent Preschool Program

A good preschool must have a curriculum that is composed of fun stimulating exercises. The school’s day to day activities must involve plenty of artworks, role paying, storytelling, physical activities and other educational programs. Also, a good preschool allows changes in its program to encourage toddlers to try out something new to increase the students’ development and skills.

Excited Response From Your Toddler

Finally, you know you have found the best preschool for your toddler when he is happy, excited and asking for more. Your toddler’s reaction and his eagerness towards the school is the most important sign you need to watch for. When he is thrilled to start, you are secure he will get all the proper development and education he needs.

The big question of whether or not to pursue early childhood education is one of the many issues parents of toddlers consider. These days, a lot of parents send their children to school at an early age. In particular, moms and dads might be thinking about the option of day care and preschool. But, the question remains, which option truly maximizes a toddler’s potential?

To send your toddler to a day care or preschool is one tough decision to make. As a parent, you want what is best not only for your little one but as well as for your family. Although both are synonymous, each of these options present diverse advantages and disadvantages. To help you out, here is a comparison for day care vs. preschool.

Day Care or Preschool – A Comparison

Day Care

Day care, also known as childcare entails the supervision of a toddler during the day by another individual other than the legal guardians (parents) of the toddler. It acts as a program wherein parents who work can entrust their toddlers to professional child handlers. Childcare can be given at the toddler’s home where a nanny is responsible for the toddler’s welfare. It can also be done in nurseries such as day care centers where qualified and highly trained caregivers are present. Its main obligation is to keep toddlers amused, well fed and rested. At the same time, it offers motivating activities that can help boost the overall development of toddlers.

Advantages

• At an early age, your toddler learns how to interact with his peers increasing his self-confidence.
• Through social interaction, your toddler’s speech and language development rapidly progresses.
• Motor and cognitive skills are boosted through the help of stimulating exercises.
• Safety and security is provided by this child friendly environment.
• Personal attention is being given, eliminating the chances of your toddler to feel neglected.
• Learns how to follow and obey simple rules.
• Helps your toddler adjust better in new environments.

Disadvantages

• 100% one on one personal attention may not be given due to the number of kids present in the day care.
• Style of childcare and way of discipline might be different from your own.
• Your toddler can easily acquire diseases and infections since children are less immune to viruses.

Why choose day care?

If you work long hours during the day, then getting your little one to go to a day care makes more sense. It is very practical since it has longer hours of operation as compared to preschools. If your toddler is still 1 or 2 years old, sending him to a day care is more realistic since playtime is still his preferred activity. Learning activities are incorporated into fun exercises that can help boost his mental, cognitive and physical development.

Preschool

A preschool targets toddlers who are between ages 2 to 5. A preschool involves a structured educational program that provides young toddlers a solid foundation for learning. It also functions as a preparation for kindergarten and elementary schooling.

Advantages

• More focused on learning rather than entertainment.
• Its curriculum is organized around a more definite educational approach.
• Has a smaller number of children per class ensuring one on one attention and care.
• Teachers are highly trained.
• Gains better exposure to different types of activities and materials, hence, achieving an optimized development at an early age.
• Thinking skills are honed which is essential to your toddler’s being.

Disadvantages

• Negative social skills can be acquired when not monitored properly.
• Can get sick more often due to unlimited exposure to viruses.
• Tuition fee is more expensive as compared to day care centers.

Why choose preschool?

If you want your toddler to be ready for the coming school years, enrolling him to a preschool can help him gain exposure to different types of activities and situations. He learns faster through the help of the preschool’s structured course. He gets to learn how to adapt, adjust and interact at an early age.

The most important thing to keep in mind when choosing between a day care and a preschool is how comfortable your toddler feels in his new environment. After all, your toddler will spend a lot of his time there. In this way, you get to be at ease that he gets all the right leisure and nurturing he needs even when you are away.

Once your toddler hits the age of 3, he can now start going to preschool. But, it does not necessarily mean he is ready for this new phase in his life. Deciding whether your toddler should attend preschool is an important matter. His readiness to attend preschool relies on how well he is progressing.

For toddlers, preschool serves as the stepping stone to discover and learn new things. It is where they can grow skills and nurture their talents. However, your toddler needs to be emotionally, mentally, physically and socially competent to help him actively participate in the structured educational program of the school. Here are some questions to help you gauge if your toddler is ready for preschool.

Question # 1: Is he used to spending time away from you?

Attachment is the number one issue when it comes to sending toddlers to preschool. If your child has been cared by a nanny, a babysitter or has spent some time away from you in the past, then most likely he is ready for school. But if your toddler is with you most of the time, it is best to start introducing the idea of being separated from you by holding a sleepover in his grandparents’ house over the weekend. Or you may start enrolling him in a daycare center where he can socialize with other toddlers. The key here is to make small adjustments to give him time to feel comfortable and secure when you are away.

Question # 2: Can he understand and follow simple instructions?

During his preschool years, your toddler is expected to follow simple rules and directions (e.g. picking up the trash inside the classroom, arranging books, etc.). If you think he is still having a hard time, train him at home. Give him the responsibility of putting the plates in the sink, putting dirty laundry inside the hamper or let him pick up his scattered toys.

Question # 3: Is he comfortable around other people?

If your toddler is used to having playmates or loves participating in group activities, then he will not have any difficulty interacting with other people. Enroll him in a play group or invite your neighbors’ kids over to your house. The more your toddler is used to having people around him the easier he can adapt and socialize with his peers.

Question # 4: Can he do things on his own?

Preschool requires your toddler to be independent. Learning basic skills like hand washing after drawing and eating on his own are a must. Also, he must be able to focus and concentrate on his work especially during activities that require your toddler’s full attention. He needs to solve things on his own. Leave him for an hour and let him entertain himself. In this way, he learns how to play solo and the need to ask for help with everything is minimized.

 Question # 5: Can he recognize the alphabet and numbers?

Knowing the basics will make it easier for your toddler to master and improve his language, reading and writing. You can do simple learning activities at home by using flashcards, jigsaw puzzles and coloring books to help him familiarize fundamental lessons.

Question # 6: Is he potty trained?

It is important your toddler is potty trained before he enters preschool since most schools require potty training. If he has strongly mastered it, then he is good to go. However, if he is not yet ready, do not force him. Putting him under too much pressure will only make the situation worse.

Question # 7: Does he have a fixed schedule?

Toddlers thrive on routine. Most preschools follow the same practices of toddlers. If he is used to having a regular schedule (e.g. playtime, lunch, nap time, snack time and outdoor play) then he is ready to start preschool.

Question # 8: Is he physically fit?

Enrolling him in a preschool means a lot of rigorous activities will take place. Check your toddler’s health condition. He needs stamina to help him get through the day. If he has health issues, then it is best to keep him at home for now to reduce his chances of acquiring infections.

Starting preschool depends on how ready your toddler is. If he is fully prepared and comfortable with the idea, then it is best to let him start. But, if he is not yet ready, never rush him. Instead, train your toddler to help him get ready for the next school year.