| These days, more parents are enrolling their children in | | | | really just day care centers, that do not foster |
| preschool. The reason more parents are sending their | | | | academic growth and then there are other preschools |
| children to preschool varies. Some do it because they | | | | that focus on preparing your child for kindergarten. If it |
| need child care while they work and others do it | | | | is important to you that your child will learn their |
| because they want their children to be better prepared | | | | alphabet, learn how to write and read, learn basic math |
| for kindergarten. Whatever your reason for enrolling | | | | skills, then find out what your child will learn at a certain |
| your child in preschool, here is some information that | | | | preschool. |
| can help you choose the right school for your child. | | | | Teacher/Student Ratio: |
| Location: | | | | Some states have requirements for the number of |
| Do you want your child to attend a preschool near | | | | students allowed in a classroom with one teacher, |
| your home or workplace? At this age, your child will | | | | while others may not. Will your child learn better with |
| have to be picked up and dropped off by you or | | | | more attention from a teacher, or will he/she do fine |
| another designated adult, so location is important. | | | | learning in a large group with less attention from the |
| Cost: | | | | teacher? Consider this and find out how many |
| The cost of preschool varies greatly between schools. | | | | students are assigned to each teacher at the school. |
| There are preschools that have costs subsidized by | | | | Accreditation: |
| the state for low income families, preschools that | | | | Just like colleges and universities, preschools can also |
| charge monthly tuition, and others that charge tuition | | | | become accredited. Becoming accredited can help |
| annually. If you have a budget for preschool costs, this | | | | ensure parents that they are choosing a preschool |
| will help narrow your options. If you cannot afford | | | | with a quality program for their child. The most |
| preschool for your child but do not qualify for state | | | | recognized accrediting organization for preschools is |
| subsidized preschools, find out if there are preschools | | | | the National Association for the Education of Young |
| that offer financial aid. Some preschools offer financial | | | | Children, also known as NAEYC. You can see the |
| aid or have a list of scholarships or grants for | | | | NAEYC website for a list of accredited preschools in |
| preschool age children. | | | | your area, or you can find out from preschools if they |
| Curriculum: | | | | are accredited. |
| It is important to know what your child will be learning in | | | | Choosing the right preschool for your child is an |
| school. Find out from different preschools what their | | | | important decision you will make. It is the first step in |
| curriculum is. There are some preschools that are | | | | building your child's educational foundation. |