Choosing an ARTFUL preschool

Montessori? Waldorf? Kindercare?

Choosing the right preschool for your child could turn into a complicated and stressful process. Therefore, making a list of priorities can simplify your task. At the end, you and your child's school visit should be a pleasant and stress free experience.

1. Location and Hours.

Ask yourself the following:

Is it important for the preschool to be near home or work?

Besides the regular hours 9:00 - 3:00 or 9:00 - 1:00 p.m., do you need before and aftercare?

2. Curriculum.

-child centered school is when the child's interests are taken into consideration while planning the curriculum

-teacher centered school is when the activities are planned solely by teachers based on a set schedule every year

-faith based school incorporates religion into its daily curriculum, however, in most cases, your child does not need to be associated with a particular religion

-co-operative school asks parents to assist with running daily activities and be present and engaged at school

3. ART ACTIVITIES.

Find out what extra activities are offered by a particular school that you visit.

How many times a week?

Is there a daily singing? If yes, is it conducted by professionals?

What kind of movement is provided?

What space do children have to move around?

Are there any instruments available to children in the room? Some centers will tell you they provide a variety of instruments, however, they stay in the closet most of the year.

Are the art activities hands on or not getting dirty type?

Is the art displayed at a child's eye level? Some schools offer beautiful bulletin boards, however nothing really for a child to look at every day. Your child is the one looking at the walls every day.

Are children going outside in a cold weather? Going outside even in a cold weather provides your child with fresh air, much needed for the brain.

4. Visit.

Plan to visit a preschool with your child. Have your list of questions handy. Think if you would feel comfortable and happy in the school you visit. Observe your child at play. See how she or he settles in. Lastly, get down on your knees and look at the environment from your child's eye level. It is a true eye opener!