When searching for the right preschool program for your child, the goal for most parents isn’t just to find a place to watch their children while they’re at work. Preschools serve a vital function in a child’s development by building the foundation they need to be successful in school and life. So the preschool you select should meet the highest possible standards. But what exactly are those standards to help you identify a good preschool? Right Steps Boutique Preschool & Childcare Center, a premiere preschool center in Logan Square, can help you answer that question with this list of qualities to look for in a preschool program.
Experienced & Qualified Teachers
The single most important quality to look for in a preschool program is that it has qualified teachers. Qualified teachers with experience who are passionate about what they do are vital to your child’s success in preschool. They should be licensed by the state and trained in early childhood education. Additionally, they should have a solid understanding of child development and be able to create a safe and nurturing environment for children.
Comprehensive Educational Program
To make the most out of your child’s preschool education, exposing them to a well-rounded, comprehensive education program that helps them build strong academic skills is essential. Children should be appropriately challenged but not overwhelmed. Preschool should prepare children for kindergarten by introducing them to basic academic concepts and skills, such as letters, numbers, and colors. But the curriculum should also include activities that promote social, emotional, cognitive, artistic, and physical development.
Safe & Stimulating Environment
A stimulating environment should include group activities that will keep them engaged and allow young children to learn valuable social skills. A high-quality program at a boutique preschool will challenge them to develop problem-solving and fine motor skills. The class environment should be clean, well-maintained, safe, and conducive to learning.
Small Class Size
Class size should be small enough for your child to receive individual attention and guidance to address their specific learning needs. Smaller class sizes help children with varying attention spans learn how to focus and give them more opportunities for participation. Children may also feel more comfortable speaking up and participating in class discussions in a smaller group.
Exposure to Technology
Children today are growing up in a world full of technology. So another quality to look for in a preschool program is exposure to technology as a tool for learning in a safe and secure environment.
Good Nutrition
The goal of providing nutrition in a preschool program isn’t just to keep your children fed but to teach your children healthy eating habits that can influence good eating choices throughout their lives. An important quality to look for in a preschool program is a meal plan that adheres to standards set by The American Heart Association’s Dietary Recommendations and the 2010 Dietary Guidelines for Americans for infants, children, and adolescents. Providing them with fruits, vegetables, whole grains, fat-free and low-fat dairy products, and seafood gives them an appreciation for the foods they should be eating.
In addition, children should be exposed to healthy food options at a young age to help them choose healthier food options later in life when exposed to fast food and highly-processed food options. This will help children understand the importance of caring for their bodies and building habits that promote enduring health.
Fitness Activities
The impact of obesity and juvenile diabetes has been devastating to children in the United States. In addition to diet playing a pivotal role in combating those health issues, teaching children an appreciation for movement and exercise through activities such as gymnastics, yoga, dance, or free play sets the stage for them to develop healthy, active lifestyles.
Global Education
A good preschool program should allow students to learn about and appreciate different cultures and languages by exposing children to stories, music, and toys from around the world. This helps give them an understanding and empathy for the lives and experiences of other people and promotes ethnic and cultural diversity.
Choose Right Steps as Your Child’s Preschool
Choosing a high-quality preschool is an important decision that can significantly impact your child’s early learning experience and long-term development. Right Steps Boutique Preschool & Childcare Center is a premiere preschool focusing on meeting and exceeding your child’s development needs. Our comprehensive program features all of the qualities you should look for in a preschool program, including highly-qualified teachers, small class sizes, a safe and stimulating environment, and programs that focus on academic skills, fitness, nutrition, art, music, and more. In addition, we offer a home-style environment for infants, toddlers, preschoolers, and kindergarteners at our daycare center in Bella Vista.
Contact us today to discuss enrolling your child and let our passionate teachers help your child unlock their full potential.
