Is it safe,
clean and registered ?
Quality varies considerably from nursery to nursery. It may
take time to find out what's right for your child. Find out if safety precautions are
taken like, are the outlets covered, toys age appropriate, Is the ventilation facility
good. Is it licensed or registered - if not why is it so ? Are the bathrooms and kitchens
well maintained with high hygienic and safety standards.
Cost
Cost of a preschool could be especially high with all extras
added in - Be sure there are no hidden costs.
Teacher - Child ratio
Find out how many children to a teacher. Ideally 1 member staff
to 4 children is good. The child would get sufficient attention. The teacher should have
good teaching credentials. Ideally teachers should be trained in early child development
and education
Is it spacious?
There should be enough space - There should be enough light,
good level of activity. Enough supply of play are as - sandpits, pools, swings, etc. The
toys should be age appropriate.
Food and Nutrition Policy
Do children eat food brought from home or prepared at school.
Is it nutritious.
Toiletting Policy
Is it necessary for a child to be toilet trained. Will the
staff help in the process
Evaluate the programme
There should be no pressure to perform academically. A good
programme is mostly free play, interwoven and non-competitive group activities such as
sing song, story telling, etc. The programme right for your child will depend on your
child's personality
A good programme will stimulate the child
creatively, intellectually, physically and socially
Observe the programme
yourself
Visit the place and judge for yourself when visiting watch how
teachers handle despite crying, boredom and behaviour problems
Do kids look happy. Are the teachers
cheerful when a child isn't occupied. Does a teacher notice and try to draw the child into
the activity.
Discipline
Look for a preschool where the goal of disciplining is to help
children learn self control rather than force them to bow to authority.
Check References
Positive word of mouth is a powerful endorsement. Ask parents
with children presently in the nursery. Ask what they like about the programme and what
they don't. |
