One of the most challenging decisions a parent must make is determining which preschool to enroll their child in when the time comes. If you have been lucky enough to be a stay-at-home parent, you have been the caretaker of your children for most of their young lives.
It is difficult to leave your child for an extended time with someone you know or a family member you trust, but it can be even more challenging to leave your children at a preschool with other children and total strangers each day.
Preschool can benefit your children during this stage of their lives. It allows them to learn and develop proper social skills as they interact with other children. Preschool can also teach your children to be less dependent on you, which is very important to their development.
Even though you may understand the benefits of enrolling your children in preschool, it can still be a difficult choice, but there are many excellent preschool programs.
If you are in the Northlake, Texas area, consider Saint Peter School as your choice for an excellent preschool experience for you and your children. However, you need to think carefully and thoroughly research your options. This article discusses how to pick the right preschool for your child.
Choosing The Right Preschool For Your Child
You have decided to place your child in a preschool program but have not considered which preschool best suits you and your child. Here are some tips that hopefully will assist you in making this critical decision.
First, you should gather a list of appropriate preschools that seem to meet your goals and then schedule a visit to their campus to see for yourself.
Things To Look For When Touring A Preschool
A few things to keep an eye out for while touring a preschool include:
- Adults talking to children in nurturing and encouraging ways. They reach their eye level, address them by name, listen carefully, and seek to understand. Early childhood learning is built on trusting relationships, meaning that good teachers do not yell, cluck their tongues, or roll their eyes at children.
- When children misbehave, teachers focus on helping rather than punishing them. All preschoolers are developing social and emotional skills and self-regulation, like how to share toys and express frustration in words. Good teachers build those skills with consistent routines.
- The classroom is fun and joyful. Play is how young children learn everything from vocabulary to math to self-control. That doesn’t mean classrooms should be a free-for-all. Teachers should continually provide new activities and challenges, ask thought-provoking questions, and nudge children to think deeper.
- Children are active. They are not expected to sit for more than fifteen or twenty minutes at a time, and they get plenty of outdoor time. They are also active contributors to the classroom; they get to choose their activities, and their work covers the walls.
- Staff are supported and seem happy. Working with young children is a tough job, and teachers are more successful when they receive regular professional development and planning time, not to mention a livable wage and benefits like health insurance and paid time off. Don’t be afraid to ask the director about these factors and rates of teacher turnover.
Seven Questions To Ask About A Christian Preschool
Consider these principles if you are specifically interested in a Christian preschool. In some circumstances, these tips can also apply to public preschools.
1) Does The Preschool Use A High-Quality Curriculum?
Although Christian preschools can offer an excellent academic foundation for young children, you should make sure the curriculum meets the state's requirements for preschool levels and is properly accredited.
2) Does The Preschool Instill Christian Values?
One of the main reasons parents choose Christian preschools is that they want their children to be instilled with Christian values. Christian preschools provide an environment where children can learn about God and grow in their faith. These schools teach children Bible stories, prayers, and other Christian principles.
3) Does The Preschool Offer A Supportive Community?
Christian preschools offer a supportive community for families. Parents can feel confident that their child receives a quality education in a safe and nurturing environment. In addition, parents can connect with other families who share their values.
4) Does The Program Prepare Children For Success?
Christian preschools prepare children for success in school and life. The curriculum is designed to challenge children academically and help them develop essential social and emotional skills. Christian preschools also teach children how to resolve conflicts and be respectful of others, which are essential for success in school and beyond.
5) Does The Preschool Offer An Appropriate Class Size?
Many Christian preschools offer small class sizes, which allow children to receive individualized attention and more interaction between teachers and students. This can help children feel more comfortable in school and make them more likely to succeed.
6) Does The Preschool Have Experienced Teachers?
Check to make sure the teachers have the appropriate certifications and training.
7) Does The Curriculum Promote Spiritual Discipline?
Check the curriculum to ensure that it promotes spiritual disciplines, such as prayer and Bible study. These activities help children to develop a relationship with God and learn about His Word. Prayer is a vital part of the Christian faith, and it teaches children how to communicate with God.
St. Peter School’s Preschool Is The Right One For Your Child In Northlake, TX
St Peter Church in Northlake, TX, offers a Christian-based preschool for ages two through five. St. Peter School’s preschool prepares students for the rigors and structure of Kindergarten in a Christ-centered community. Whether parents choose the two-day, three-day, four-day, or five-day option, students will engage in hands-on activities designed to stimulate creative and critical thinking.
St. Peter School’s preschool uses various techniques and programs to assess and plan for your child properly. We purposefully structure our lesson plans according to the developmental level of our children. Teachers consider and evaluate over thirty-six objectives that successfully prepare children for the social, emotional, and academic expectations of grade school.
These objectives are organized by child development and content learning. While we meet children at their readiness level, we also challenge them to grow. If the student meets the standard, we enrich and extend learning.
If the student has not yet mastered the standard, we provide engaging activities during centers, small groups, and individual time to help the student master. Parents can view teacher lesson plans on a weekly basis.
If you live in the Northlake, TX, area and are looking for a quality Christian-based preschool for your child, then schedule a visit to tour our facility to see if we are the right fit for you.