Preschool is widely acknowledged to provide the foundational learning which prepares children for the formal school and its challenges. Research shows that children who have exposure to good quality preschool programme show better primary level outcomes along with high rates of retention and better learning levels. A substantial number of studies in this area show that a good quality preschool programme can help children to get better equipped for school and increased school achievement[i].
More than 80% of your child’s brain growth is completed by age 3
“A child’s brain undergoes an amazing period of development from birth to three—producing 700 new neural connections every second.”
Given the significance of early childhood education and the role preschool plays in learning and development of your child, the decision of selecting a preschool is critical. A good preschool programme is a combination of basic Infrastructure, Curriculum, and professional teachers/good caregivers (Fig-1).
PreSchool
Therefore, it is important that before making preschool choice, parents need to critically look at different aspects of quality. Parents can learn a lot about a preschool simply by observing. Here are some specific criteria to look for and ask about when visiting a preschool—
Preschool Selection Checklist
Preschool Selection Checklist
References
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[i]Sylva, K., B. Taggart, I. Siraj-Blatchford, V. Totsika, K. Ereky-Stevens, R. Gilden, and D. Bell. (2007). Curricular quality and day-to-day learning activities in preschool. International Journal of Early Years Education 15, no. 1: 49_65. doi: 10.1080/ 09669760601106968
[ii]UNICEF (2014).Quality in Early Childhood Care and Education.Ministry of Women and Child Development.Iii [1]
iiihttp://www.first5california.com/learning-center.aspx?id=9#sthash.eTmVwgMc.dpuf
About the Author:
Meenakshi Dogra, Child care expert at ProEves
