Finding a great preschool can be overwhelming, but we are trying to make it easier! To help kickstart your preschool search, here are some important factors to consider (aside from cost) when choosing a preschool!
Real Mom Feedback
Word of mouth is priceless when it comes to choosing a preschool. Just the number of preschools in any given city can make the process overwhelming. To narrow your search, ask friends and family for recommendations!
Staff-to-Child Ratios
According to the Florida Department of Children and Families good staff-to-child ratios allow for individual attention and help build strong relationships with caring, consistent adults. Small class sizes allow for individualized academic goals where strengths and areas of need are regularly monitored and addressed. A red flag should go up if it seems like there are too many children and not enough adults to care for them.
Interactions between Staff and Children
When choosing a preschool, one of the most important factors are the teachers! When you pay a visit to the potential preschool observe how the staff and children interact. Do the children approach the teachers? Does the teacher engage the kids, crouch to their level when speaking to them, and ask them open-ended questions? A great teacher will help kids socialize, stimulate a child’s curiosity, and overall, make kids love going to school!
Cleanliness
While preschools are going to be messy, be sure to check that potential preschools are clean. Yes, a preschool is a playroom for young children, but it should still be kept orderly and sanitized. One tip is to walk through the kitchen and bathroom of the school, so you can get a feel about their hygiene procedures.
Communication
Teachers need to be able to talk with you as easily as they talk with your child. Aside from being easily approachable, it is important to find out how the teachers communicate best. Are they available for quick chats at drop off and pick up? Do they offer their email address to parents, and if so, how quickly will they get back to you?
The Roig Academy is happy to be a certified HiMama provider. Through the HiMama app, we can easily capture and share a child’s development and day to day highlights. Items such as frequent updates through photos, stories, ad developmental milestones are always available for parents.
The Head of the School
The Head of the School may not be present in your child’s day-to-day schooling but they are extremely important because they are in charge of running the school, creating the curriculum, motivating the teachers’ and managing the budget. Some directors of the school are warm and fuzzy— they know all the students’ names, while others are more focused on fundraising and management. Whatever their style, they need to be effective in running a school and keep teachers enthusiastic about their jobs.
When choosing a preschool, set up a meeting with the Head of the School. Learn their philosophy, how they feel about discipline, teaching values, and kindergarten preparation. To learn more about the head of The Roig Academy, Jennifer Roig, click here.
Overall, choosing a preschool for your child can be an exciting experience! Pay a visit to schools you are interested in! Get to know the staff, see if your child likes the preschool, and always go with your instinct! If you have any questions about choosing the right preschool for your child, or about The Roig Academy, please feel free to call us at 305.253.5830!
Let’s get to know each other!
You can also contact admissions at 305-235-1313.