Choosing the right preschool is the most important decision for parents. It will be the first formal learning experience for your child. It also plays a big role in the mental, social and emotional development of your child. There are many good preschools available in Canada. Nowadays, the preschools offers different learning methods along with the child care. However, we should not neglect the fact that every child is unique. This means you should thoughtfully select a preschool that fits the long-term needs and promotes the growth of your child.
Why Preschool Is Important?
A preschool is not just a place where your child learns the ABCs or counting but a foundation of lifelong learning and behaviour. The children begin to learn social skills like independence and emotional control at this age.
Understand Your Child’s Needs
Before you start your search for a good preschool, you should think about the personality and development of your child first. You can also observe the children around you, some may be very shy while others may be active. In a similar way, some children may need more support to develop their speech and behaviour while others may not need that much support.
Location and Safety
You should try to finalize a preschool that is not so far away from your home or the place where you work. It is not only convenient for you as a parent but it also ensures the peace of your mind. Furthermore, you should check the basic safety standards during your visit to the preschool. The environment should be safe and secure so that the children feel comfortable throughout the day. It is advisable to check all the mentioned things meticulously because you will not be there with them 24×7.
Teaching Style and Curriculum
If we talk about the teaching style and curriculum of the preschools in Canada so basically, they all follow different educational approaches like Montessori, Reggio Emilia, Waldorf and play-based learning. A 2020 survey by Child Care Resource and Research Unit revealed that 48% of Canadian preschools follow play-based models, while 27% integrate Montessori or other structured curricula. Moreover, 80% of the educators reported better child participation in play-based formats compared to traditional methods.
Teacher Qualifications and Student-Teacher Ratio
We have discussed about the teaching style and curriculum of the preschools in Canada above. So, now we will discuss about the qualifications and student-teacher ratio. First of all, the preschool teacher should be well-trained in the Early Childhood Education (ECE) and have proven experience in teaching as well.
The Montessori teaching style encourages self-directed activity and independence while Reggio Emilia focuses on exploration through projects and creative thinking. The play-based programs generally use games to teach the important concepts in a fun and relaxed way. Thus, you should take your time to choose a curriculum wisely that fits your child’s learning style.
Daily Schedule and Activities
A balanced and perfectly structured routine helps the children to feel secure and it also builds discipline. A good preschool will include a bunch of activities like free play, story time, outdoor play, nap time and snack breaks. However, it should be designed in a way so that the children don’t feel overwhelmed. Also, a well-planned daily schedule keeps them engaged and it promotes the physical, mental and emotional growth in children as well.
Communication with Parents
There should be clear and transparent communication between the teachers and parents. You should receive regular updates on the progress of your child. To share the daily or weekly reports of your child, the preschools schedule parent-teacher meetings, share photos or videos of your child learning new things and use apps or emails to send you a detailed report of their progress. In this way, you can keep track of the progress and learning journey of your child.
Fees and Budget
The costs of preschools in Canada can vary depending on how they are funded like publicly or privately. You should not forget to ask if meals, supplies or extra activities are included or not while reviewing the fees. Well, so many provinces in Canada offer child care subsidies or government-funded spots under the Canada’s Early Learning and Child Care Agreement. So, it is advisable for you to research what’s available in your region to make an informed choice that fits your budget too.
Check Reviews and Ask Other Parents
It is advisable for you to talk to the other parents as well to get the real feedback. They should ask them about their experience with local preschools, the environment, the staff and how their child adjusted. You can also check the online platforms like google reviews, facebook groups or local parenting forums. You should not ignore this as honest reviews help you know what to expect and avoid potential problems.
Visit the Preschool Personally
Always make sure that you visit the preschool before finalizing it. You should thoroughly observe that how the teachers interact with the children. Are the children engaged and happy? Is the classroom environment clean and colourful? Most importantly, you should check the hygiene standards, safety precautions and how the staff handles the transitions like the snack or nap time.
Bonus Tip: Mental Health and Early Support
It is understandable that academics and games are important but we should not ignore the fact that your child’s emotional health matters too. If we talk about the young children so they may face difficulties adjusting, communicating or showing their behavioural changes. As per the Public Health Agency of Canada, 1 in 4 Canadian children experiences behavioural or emotional development challenges in early childhood. Thus, addressing these issues early leads to the better outcomes.
Final Thoughts
As we have discussed above that the preschool builds the foundation of every child’s learning journey for the rest of their life. Thus, as a parent, it is very important for you to make thoughtful decisions while choosing a preschool for your child. Choosing the right preschool also depends on your child’s personality, your family’s needs and the environment a preschool offers. Your child will enjoy the first educational experience with your support, a safe environment and good quality learning. Mind Grove Therapy and the available resources provided by the Canadian government make it easier for the parents to give their children the best possible start for a happy and bright future.
