| Preschool or nursery school is the educational | | | | suggest that young children learn better when they are |
| environment in which your child can be cared for | | | | at home with a parent; others, that a well-rounded |
| before he starts school. Most children don't start at | | | | preschool setting gives them the best start in life. |
| preschool until they're at least two-and-a-half, but you | | | | Research has also suggested that too much of an |
| need to be thinking about it well in advance, especially | | | | emphasis on learning at this early age can have long |
| if you live in an area where waiting lists are long. Going | | | | term negative effects on a child's academic career, |
| to preschool will be an important stage in the life of | | | | while there is another view that early learning is the |
| your little one, so you need to be sure that you choose | | | | backbone of all future achievement. What's a parent |
| the preschool care that is right for him. Of course, you | | | | to make of it all? |
| might decide to keep your child at home until he's old | | | | However much you'd like your child to do well in later |
| enough for "big" school - whatever suits you and your | | | | life, don't be swayed by promises that a nursery |
| child. | | | | school will teach your baby to read by the age of |
| What are the options? | | | | three. The most important thing is that he'll be happy |
| Over the last few years, the number of preschool | | | | there. |
| options has mushroomed. It can be tricky, however, to | | | | The truth probably lies somewhere between the |
| understand the differences between programs, before | | | | diametrically opposed pieces of research: good |
| you even get around to deciding which one would be | | | | preschools can give children important experiences of |
| best for your child! Preschool options are known by a | | | | being with and learning how to live with other people. |
| confusing variety of names, but it's safe to say that | | | | On the other hand, it's crucial that young children have |
| the ones you're most likely to hear are nursery school, | | | | a strong sense of security and spend as much time |
| pre-K, and kindergarten. Meanwhile, some day care | | | | as possible with their parents. Getting out and about |
| centers provide many of the same' educational and | | | | and having new adventures is very exciting and opens |
| social advantages of preschools, too. | | | | up new horizons for children over the age of two and |
| Weighing the alternatives | | | | a half. But the security of their own home, or a |
| Over the last few years, a lot of study has gone into | | | | caregiver's home, still has plenty to offer in terms of a |
| establishing what the best early learning environments | | | | big enough and busy enough environment for early |
| are for young children between the ages of three and | | | | learning. |
| six, and the picture is confusing. Some studies seem to | | | | |