Have you wondered when you’re supposed to look for a preschool for your child? It’s quite likely you have if you’ve got a young child at home. Most often, kids start preschool around age 3; however, this depends greatly on the family and is ultimately up to the parents to determine the best answer for them.
When do you need to look for a preschool?
Whether you want to start your child at 2, 3, or 4, you will want to start looking for a preschool ahead of time. Many preschools only take new students at the beginning of the semester, so you have to sign up in advance. Some will take new students during the semester if there’s space available. It depends on the school. You’ll want to contact the ones you’re considering and ask about enrollment.
You may find that there’s a waitlist for enrollment. If this is the case, you may have to wait a while before a spot opens up in the class. For some families, this is easy to do. Some families can’t wait because they don’t have another caregiver option available.
What do you want to look for in a preschool?
If you’re looking for a preschool for your child, you may not be sure how to determine which one is the best for your family. Check out this post that helps guide you through the process of selecting the right preschool for your child.
You want to look for one that aligns with your family’s values, that you feel comfortable with your child attending, and where they’ll learn what they need to be ready for elementary school. You’ll also want to find one that works with your schedule and fits within your budget because the costs can vary greatly between different preschools.
What if you’re considering Montessori preschool?
Montessori preschool can be a fantastic option for young children. We focus on teaching children what they need to know, so they’re ready for elementary school. Still, we go further than that and teach social-emotional behaviors and age-appropriate independence. We help children learn, grow, and become the amazing people they’re meant to be.
If you’re curious about what a Montessori preschool is like, here’s a post for you.
Final Thoughts on When to look for a preschool
Start looking for preschools early. Identify what you want in a program – are you looking for full-time or part-time care? Do you want your child in a full-day or partial-day program? Do you want them in a religious or non-religious preschool? Where do you want it to be located, how much is your budget for tuition, etc? There are a lot of questions to consider when choosing the right preschool for your child.
Once you’ve identified a few top choices in your area, then you’ll want to call and schedule a visit or tour with the schools you’re considering. Have a list of questions to ask, and observe the classrooms and staff. Do the kids look like they’re well cared for? Are they happy? Is the staff pleasant? How long have the staff members been employed there (this is important for your child because having consistent caretakers helps children build bonds and feel safe)? Ideally, you want to have the same caregiver or caregivers for your child for as long as possible.
If you’re curious about Klein-Spring Montessori, please get in touch with us today and ask about openings in our Toddler or Primary classrooms. We’d love to have your child join us too.
