Choosing the right preschool can be quite a daunting task, especially if it’s your first time choosing a school. To help parents get the best education for their children, we have compiled 8 pieces of advice for how you can find the best preschool around.
When it finally comes to picking a school for your child, it can be quite a scary experience. You want to set your child up for lifelong success, and a substantial piece of that is their early education. Here are some benefits your child may receive by attending a quality early education institution:
- Advanced social skills
- Higher academic performance
- Heightened attentiveness
- An enthusiasm for learning
While it may seem scary to need to pick the right school for your son or daughter, by following the pieces of advice that follow, you and your child will be well on your way to a successful education.
Grey Matter Montessori is Dedicated to Setting All Our Students Up For Longterm Success
Our experts, Montessori-trained educators, are devoted to ensuring that your child gets the best education possible at our NW Calgary preschool. We are passionate about educating our students in important fields such as reading, math, and science, but also about ensuring our students have the necessary life skills needed to succeed academically, personally, and professionally.
Interested in learning more about the Grey Matter Montessori difference? Contact our team today!
8 Tips to Finding the Best Preschool For You and Your Child
1. Location matters
A decision criterion that will never go away is the need to go to a school that is relatively close to your home. Nobody wants to have to travel long distances to get to school, especially your children. Going to a school located far away also likely means that most of their friends live in the neighbourhood near the school, making their social life that much more challenging. When choosing the best preschool for your son or daughter, you first need to decide how far you are willing to travel and then pick from within that distance.
2. What is the focus?
While most schools will be quite similar in their offerings, some schools may differ slightly or have special focuses. Maybe they teach a second language early on, or perhaps they guide their school by a specific method, such as the Montessori method. Whatever it may be, you will want to choose a school that focuses on what you value in early education.
3. Talk to both parents and students
Want to get an honest opinion on what people think of a preschool? Get it straight from the source. Talking to both parents and students alike is a great way to get a strong reading of the school in question. Many parents likely share similar values to a school that you have. Being able to speak to them is an excellent way to learn about how you may feel about the school once your child is enrolled.
4. Sit in on a PTA meeting
If you are looking for a place to connect with the parents of the students of a prospective school, the easiest place to do so is at a PTA meeting! In these meetings, you will be able to meet with many other parents who care a great deal about the quality of education their children are receiving, and you can get an insider look at the ongoing culture and opinions of those parents. These meetings are also an excellent opportunity to find out about the current events going on in the school!
5. Take a tour!
If you think you have found a quality school for your child, it might be a good idea to take the time out of your day and pay a visit to the school. Most schools that care about the parents of students will have lots of availability to have a qualified member of staff provide you with a tour of the school.
When you do go on your tour, make sure you are going in prepared! Here are some things you should look out for when touring the school.
6. Or maybe a virtual tour!
We get it, the pandemic has definitely changed some aspects of life. If you don’t feel entirely comfortable visiting a school while the pandemic continues, inquire about the possibility of a virtual tour. Some schools have set up pre-created virtual tours that you can explore at your own pace.
If you are interested in learning more about Grey Matter Montessori from the comfort of your own home, check out our virtual tour!
7. Meet with the principle
If you have lots of questions that you want to ask about a school but aren’t sure who to ask, the best resource may be the school principal! Most principals are very open to meeting with parents to discuss the school and answer any pressing questions that you may have. Contact the school's front desk you are investigating to inquire about the availability of the principal for a meeting. Just make sure you come prepared with everything you need to ask!
8. Make a comparison chart
If at the end of it all you are still torn between a few schools, a helpful tip may be to make a simple comparison chart. Create the chart by having a list of all of the factors of a school on one side and a list of schools on the other. Use a ranking system, score out of five, checkmarks, or any means you feel is right to score each school. Getting it all out on one paper might be just what you need to make the decision crystal clear.
Related Reading:
8 Things To Look For When Searching For A Genuine Montessori School
6 Core Characteristics of a Montessori Education
Grey Matter Montessori Is NW Calgary’s Foremost Montessori Preschool
If you are searching for the right preschool program that genuinely cares about your son or daughter's needs and interests, Grey Matter Montessori is an excellent choice. Our Montessori program has been specifically designed to cater to each individual child's needs so that they can become the best versions of themselves.
To learn more about our Evanston preschool program, contact our team today by calling 587-707-4739 or fill in our online contact form below.
FAQ’s
What should I look for on a school tour?
When searching for a genuine Montessori school, a tour can be an excellent way to get up close in personal with what your child will be experiencing. Check out our article on 8 Things To Look For When Searching For A Genuine Montessori School.
Can I Take a Tour of Grey Matter Montessori?
Absolutely! To take a tour of our school, contact our team today, and we will happily find a solution that works for you. Alternatively, check out our virtual tour.
What Exactly is the Montessori Method?
The best way to learn about the Montessori method is to learn about it from one of our highly qualified educators. Contact us to learn about what makes the Montessori method so special, or learn more about it here.
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