(Entertainment-NewsWire.com, October 26, 2012 ) San Francisco, CA- As parents look to start their children in preschool, the first step in formal education, they often have many questions. How can one select a program that will meet a child’s needs, foster learning and development all while being safe? Many parents are asking just that.
One of the best ways to gather insight into preschools is to ask other parents in the area their experiences with various schools. General research and asking basic questions, as well as in-depth questions, can be a parents strongest tool.
When choosing a preschool, parents should look into a variety of factors including location, atmosphere and environment. Additionally, parents should also make sure the program meets their own philosophies on education. They must consider if the program complements a child’s character and personal needs.
According to Sharon DeSilva an owner of Kiddie Academy in Bermuda, “The signs of a great preschool/nursery are a welcoming, friendly atmosphere, a nurturing environment, stimulating curriculum and an open door policy.”
In many countries, preschools must meet particular criteria. This criteria can vary from country-to-country and state-to-state. Most preschools are governed by local government standards and requirements. General safety must be maintained such as having evacuation plans and CPR-certified staff. Schools must comply with educational standards for their staff, including early childhood education units. Parents can check with their local Health Department for standards in their own areas.
Programs that have a curriculum or lesson plan will insure that children are busy, receive a variety of activities, and learning opportunities throughout the day.
For preschool children it is also important to see that the children have multiple times during the day when they are simply allowed to play. For younger children, parents should see curriculum that is more centered on activities, whereas parents of children who have children in pre-kindergarten programs should see kindergarten preparation mixed with play and exploration.
Children in pre-kindergarten should be working on the basics such as numbers, shapes, counting, motor skills and early literacy. Parents should ask about the academic program specific for their child’s age.
About InternationalPreSchoolCurriculum.com: InternationalPreSchoolCurriculum.com(http://www.internationalpreschoolcurriculum.com/) is dedicated to harmonizing early childhood education standards internationally to provide educators and parents with support training and information on preschool curriculum. International Preschool Curriculum has over 300 members and is represented on 6 of the 7 continents of the world.
