| Finding a quality preschool is quite a challenge that | | | | You can be in the class with your child once or |
| most parents face. Differentiating a quality | | | | twice a month. Or you can receive the newsletter |
| preschool from a daycare center is also one of | | | | and take advantage of evening social events with |
| the main challenges that most parents face. | | | | other parents. Research shows that parent |
| A quality preschool would: | | | | involvement is a major factor in a child's success. |
| - Develop self-identity of the child | | | | The parents, who start participating with their |
| * Develop a positive attitude of the child towards | | | | children at the preschool or daycare level, continue |
| learning by experiencing success and by learning | | | | to do so through elementary and high school. |
| to deal with failure successfully | | | | Location: |
| * Teach the children skills and give them practice | | | | Do you want your child to attend a preschool |
| in resourceful problem-solving and its | | | | near your home or workplace? At this age, your |
| corresponding benefits | | | | child will have to be picked up and dropped off by |
| * Make the students understand the unlimited | | | | you or another designated adult, so location is |
| potential of their own minds and their ability to | | | | important. |
| build on what they have learned | | | | Cost: |
| * Develop the child’s mind for appreciation of | | | | The cost of preschool varies greatly between |
| peers, adults and community | | | | schools. There are preschools that have costs |
| * Help children develop creative expression | | | | subsidized by the state for low income families, |
| through art, music, drama and their own unique | | | | preschools that charge monthly tuition, and others |
| forms of self-expression | | | | that charge tuition annually. If you have a budget |
| * Teach children about their physical self through | | | | for preschool costs, this will help narrow your |
| the development of fine and gross motor skills. | | | | options. If you cannot afford preschool for your |
| The main factors for choosing a quality preschools | | | | child but do not qualify for state subsidized |
| would be to consider whether the preschool | | | | preschools, find out if there are preschools that |
| provides safe spaces for the children, whether | | | | offer financial aid. Some preschools offer financial |
| they are comfortable and engaged in what they | | | | aid or have a list of scholarships or grants for |
| are doing, not easily distracted or wandering | | | | preschool age children. |
| aimlessly; children feels happy, not distressed, | | | | Curriculum: |
| bored or crying; the teachers and other staff | | | | It is important to know what your child will be |
| are caring, sensitive (not harsh), responsive to | | | | learning in school. Find out from different |
| children’s needs and requests, and involved in | | | | preschools what their curriculum is. There are |
| what the children are doing by helping children | | | | some preschools that are really just day care |
| solve problems, accomplish projects and learn; | | | | centers, that do not foster academic growth and |
| time and space for active outdoor and indoor play | | | | then there are other preschools that focus on |
| as well as quiet time. | | | | preparing your child for kindergarten. If it is |
| Parent Co-operative Preschools are run by the | | | | important to you that your child will learn their |
| parents. In these schools there are various levels | | | | alphabet, learn how to write and read, learn basic |
| of participation available. You may choose to | | | | math skills, then find out what your child will learn |
| participate in the administration of the school by | | | | at a certain preschool. |
| sitting on the board of directors or a committee. | | | | |