You have spent the last six months researching and trying to understand different kinds of preschool philosophies. And while there are many different approaches, you have decided that your family will most likely best fit in preschool philosophies that mirror what goes on in Montessori classrooms. You have a plan to tour a preschool in a few weeks and you are hoping to see how this philosophy looks in a classroom. You are a little overwhelmed by some of the academic preschool curriculums that you have seen, but the preschool philosophies in a Montessori room appear to be a great mix of challenging work and allowing students to work in mixed age environments and teaching skills that allow even the youngest learners to work independently.
As a parent, it is important to make a thoughtful decision when it comes to selecting a preschool classroom. In fact, there are many studies that indicate that a strong preschool setting will create a positive academic start to children from all kinds of families.
Are You in the Process of Finding a Preschool Option for Your Children Next Fall?
Although there are some families who are still trying to figure out what the summer camp plans on for their children in the next few months, there are a number of families who are already thinking ahead to the various kinds of preschool philosophies that are available. If you are one of the families who is trying to make decisions about preschool, you likely have a list of priorities that you are considering:
Price. Even when parents have the very past intentions, the reality is that most families are limited by budget. As a result, it is important to make sure that you look carefully at the pricing options that are included in the schools that you are considering. One of the things that determines price is the number of hours of before and after care that are offered. If you are a parent who will need to drop your children off early and pick them up late, it is important that you understand the extra costs that might be included.
Location. It is purely logistics, but where a preschool is located can determine the compatibility of a preschool. It does not necessarily make sense to drive 30 minutes out of your way every day to and from school to get your children to their preschool. In addition, finding a preschool that is in a location by your house would allow you and your young ones to get to know others who are in your neighborhood and who might end up going to school together at some point.
Philosophy. Academic preschool curriculums and philosophies can differ from one school to the next, but it is important to make sure the philosophy that you select is matches what you are looking for. If, for instance, you are wanting an educational environment that promotes independence and allows children to work in a mixed age setting, Montessori might be a great fit. If you want something that is much more structured, it is important to make sure that you visit classrooms and see how the school day is structured.
The latest research indicates that 75% of young children in the U.S. participate in a preschool program, so it makes sense that there are so many choices and options. Having a through understanding of what your budget is and what locations will work best will lead you toward a decision that will work well. In addition, it is important to make sure that you select a school that shares the educational philosophy that you are looking for. As more and more families realize the importance of early childhood education it should come as no surprise that this is an occupation that is looking for more qualified teachers. In fact, because of the increasing demand for early childhood education, the employment of preschool teachers is projected to grow 10% from 2016 to 2026. This is a percentage that is actually higher than the average for all other occupations.