How to Select an Affordable Preschool
Alright! Your child is ready for preschool. It’s been four or five years and your little one is not so little anymore. Now it’s time to search for a good, affordable preschool program that will create the foundation for the rest of your child’s school career. Choosing a preschool is a big decision that should not be taken lightly. A lot of research and time can go into picking the perfect preschool for your child.
An affordable well rounded preschool is hard to find, but they are out there, so before you begin the selection process, you should write down a list outlining what you are looking for in a preschool and how much your budget limit is. Think of things like; do you want the preschool close to work or close to home, does the curriculum offer outside activities or maybe even swimming lessons, and, are there specific philosophies in the curriculum that appeal to you. Make a list of all these things that you can refer to when making your choice.
Next it is time to actually look for the school. The best way to collect basic information on an affordable preschool is by researching it online, however finding out about the school is another story. Asking around for reputable preschool is a good place to start as asking other parents that have experience at the school can give you an in depth approach into why the preschool is a wonderful school.
Once you’ve sourced out a few reputable schools, it is time to go in for a visit and for interviews. Asking the general questions such as fees, opening and closing times and enrollment processes are easy things to ask over the phone. But actually going in and visiting the school is the only way to get a proper feel of how the preschool works. Getting one-on-one time, by being able to speak to the teachers and the director, and getting to know them and their views will help you set your mind at ease about a new school.
Have a walk around the premises to get used to the surroundings and even try sitting in and observing a class or two as a means of getting a good feel of the school. Once you’ve decided that this would be the perfect school, check references with people you may know that have had children that attend the school and you are on your way to finding an affordable preschool for your child.
Now it is time to test how your child fits in and feels about the school. Take your child to visit the school and watch how he/she interacts with the teachers and the other children. Remember it might be daunting for him/her the first time they go to a new preschool but by the end of the visit after watching all the kids having fun, your child will have a hard time wanting to leave. Seeing your child react in such a positive manner will indicate to you that you have found the right preschool for your child.
A final point to take note of is to find a few promising and affordable preschools and apply to all of them. This will ensure that you have backup in case you are not lucky enough to be accepted into your first choice.