If you are a mom on the go, chances are you have spent time thinking about nursery school and if it is right for your family.
Nursery school differs from daycare in terms of the focus on early childhood education. It will foster growth and development that will prepare toddlers to move onto kindergarten.
Nursery school is beneficial for several reasons. In this guide we’ll go through the advantages of sending your child to a great pre-school establishment.
Why is it Important?
Attending nursery school exposes young children to letters, shapes, and numbers from an early age. While they can potentially get this at home too, it’s different here. They’ll learn with equipment and teachers’ expertise that the average household might not have.
Pre-school allows for socialization as children interact with other children on a regular basis. They start to learn better communication skills, sharing, and more. Children also learn directions, like raising their hand or asking before doing something. All of this culminates in a head start before primary school.
At What Age Can They Start?
For many moms on the go, this is a crucial question to answer. If you are looking to return to work or make adjustments to your schedule, some form of daycare for your kids might be a necessity.
Nurseries have different age requirements. For example, Children Oasis Nursery (childrensoasisnursery.com/), accepts children from 3 to 4 months to 4 years. Others might require attendees be at least 2 years old. The starting age depends on what schedule you’re looking for and your child’s readiness to be in pre-school.
What Do I Look for in a Nursery?
Choosing the right place for your child is important. This has to be a place they love, and you need to feel comfortable entrusting your baby! Nurseries come in all shapes and sizes, but some important factors to look for include: funding sources, program connections, accreditation, class size, and qualifications.
They can also be connected to religious institutions, which will change what the schedule and activities look like. Where ever it is, nurseries should be accredited by entities respective to your country. Accreditation indicates the establishment meets standards for education, health, and safety.
Of course, another option is to take recommendations from other moms. Most importantly, start this search early. If you want the best facility, you may be going up against a wait list of other eager families. Give yourself plenty of time so you can get the best option.
Make an On-Site Visit
Before committing to any nursery, go visit! Nurseries may have great websites, but the most important factor is the facilities themselves. While there, keep an eye out. Are the spaces clean and safe? Are there safety enforcements like smoke detectors and fire alarms?
In the classrooms, look around for different stations and options. This gives you an idea of what opportunities your child can have throughout the day. How are the current students? Do they seem happy to be there? Is there work proudly displayed around the classroom? These types of factors can help you feel out a place quickly.
Finally, are you comfortable here? Do you feel confident that you can drop off your child and return to find them safe and happy?
Meet the Teacher
Nursery schools are not like full-fledged institutions, but don’t let that lower your expectations. In most nurseries, the teachers still hold associates’ or bachelors’ degrees in early childhood education. They should be certified in some way to work with children.
You also want to note if there are enough teachers for the number of students. This goes back to class size. Will your child receive one on one attention or is the nursery overcrowded? If you can, visit while a class is happening. You’ll be able to observe the teacher in action.
Bottom Line
Making a nursery school decision is hard – partly because you are making the first step towards spending less time with your child. The right nursery school can set your child up for success, so be sure to do the work and make the right choice.