Choosing childcare and a preschool is one of the most important decisions parents can make. A child’s brain develops more in the first five years of their life than at any other time. Finding a place where your child will be nurtured, have positive experiences, and form healthy bonds and relationships is key. A high-quality childcare and preschool provider like The Gardner School will ensure that your child’s needs are met so they can thrive emotionally, physically, and academically. So, how do you find the right fit for your family? Read on for guidance on where to start.
Know What’s Available
Anywhere you consider should be a licensed facility that offers a safe and clean environment. Here are four signs of a quality childcare program that goes beyond just daily care.
Do Your Research
To help you identify important attributes of a quality provider, be sure to download our checklist for choosing a preschool. You can take the list with you to fill out when you visit a facility to help you gauge its quality and compare it to other providers. The list includes a variety of factors and questions to ask, including:
- What is the feeling you get when you enter and look around? Does it feel welcoming, clean, and secure?
- Do you observe that children are engaged and interested in classroom activities?
- What is the student-to-teacher ratio in each classroom?
- Are there plenty of toys, learning materials, and equipment for children?
- Do classrooms have any natural light?
- What qualifications, degrees, or years of experience do lead teachers have?
- Does the staff have proper certifications and training in first aid and CPR?
Along with our downloadable checklist, you can also take a look at this guide to make notes on what to look for while you’re touring the facility.
A Preschool You Can Trust
The Gardner School understands how daunting it is to entrust your child’s care and education to someone else. We make it a priority to hire the most qualified, empathetic, and highly skilled team members. For a closer look at our screening process, check out this blog on identifying exceptional preschool teachers. We work hard to bring a rich learning environment to our students, and we’d love to show you how our trusted preschool can check off every box on your preschool wish list.