For every new parent, the hardest thing is to pick out a school that is perfect for their young children. The children need to be given knowledge, social skills and a basic understanding of the world around them. The school is where the child first learns discipline and general rules they should follow. Hence, no one can deny the importance of such educational institutions.
Preschool, while it is not mandatory, it is still a highly recommended option. It allows your child to learn at a comparatively faster rate. But it is crucial that you pick the right one for your kid. Here’s how you can make the choice to pick the best Montessori school in Ashburn VA.
How Much Can You Pay for It
Enrolling your kid in a school is you essentially taking a service of education. There are differing fees rates. The private preschool sector has expensive fees, with the monthly average going up to twenty-five hundred dollars. If you can afford this option, you can narrow down your options. Though, if you want more affordable options, you can go for co-op preschools. They are operated by the parent volunteers.
But the parents need to provide their time in order to get their kids to attend school at this comparatively lower fee. The State also has the option of free preschools known as the Transitional Kindergarten available for four-year-old kids. But the kids can only be allowed to attend as long as they fit a certain criteria.
What is being taught
Check the school’s curriculum and see what they are teaching to the students. It can help you figure out what the priorities of this school are. Some would be a comprehensive and all round educational program while some might focus more on social learning. If there is something that you do not agree with, you can choose not to send your child to that institution.
How it is being taught
The teaching methods used are really important for you to know. The child will only grasp difficult concepts and ideas if the teacher is able to present them in an interesting and engaging way. The teachers need to be aware of that. An interesting mix of teaching methods is important for the student to enhance his knowledge and understanding at such a young age.
How Qualified Teachers Are
When looking for preschools for your kids to attend, make sure the teachers are highly qualified and hold the appropriate certificates. The teachers for young students need to be trained carefully because the young children respond differently than older children.
Accredited Preschool or not
Many preschools are now becoming accredited with the appropriate institutions such as the National Association for the Education of Young Children. This is voluntary but it is a very good sign if you find any school accredited like this. It means that the school holds up to a high standard.
Does the School have Outdoor Space
The young students are just now getting into an educational experience and it should be an easy transition. Making everything about academics isn’t wise because it would make the students lose interest quite fast.
So look for a school that has an interesting outdoor space where the kids can play and engage in social activities with each other. It would keep them active enough to learn the right way.
How Inclusive is it
The more diverse the student body and teachers are in terms of ethnicity is quite important. Having your kids exposed to different beliefs and views will help them gain a better appreciation of the people around them. It is going to make socializing easier for them and help them to be upstanding citizens of society.
Ask for Recommendations
The best way to pick an appropriate preschool for your kid is to ask for recommendations by other parents you know who have kids your age. In fact, ask everyone in your social circle to give suggestions for the best Preschool in Ashburn VA and ask them what they like about their particular preschool. This will help you narrow down your list of schools as well.
Visiting the School Itself
To understand what the school’s environment is really like, you need to actually visit the premises. The website or brochures won’t tell you an accurate picture of what’s really going on. Plan a surprise visit and visit the school and meet with the faculty. Observe how the teachers are normally behaving and interacting with the students. If something seems off with the place, do not pick it.
Ask the School Important Questions
Whenever you are researching a school, make sure you ask them some relevant and crucial questions. For instance, ask them how frequently the teachers are changed. Moreover, go deeper and inquire about their teaching methods and techniques. The financial details should be cleared up as well, you need to know what your payment options would be. Another thing that is worth asking is how the school enforces discipline. Are the methods age appropriate? All these things must be clarified to you.
Location of the Preschool
It is a bad idea to opt for a preschool that is on the other side of town. The long distance will make you and your kid tired and they would be exhausted from the commute alone. Ensure that the school is as near to your home as it can be. This will also come in handy when your kid makes friends in school and wants to have playdates with them. Majority of the kids in the same school are usually from the same neighborhood.
Does Your Kid Like the School?
After ensuring that you are content with the school’s safety and teaching methods, you should also ask your kid if they like the environment or not. Do not force them to go somewhere where they don’t feel at ease. This must be taken into consideration.
Author Bio:
My name is Jack Mike and I am a writer and a digital marketer. I wrote many articles for different businesses, but currently I am working for a Montessori School Ashburn VA.