Finding the right preschool for your child - MOMMY TALK

How time flies! It’s school time once again. Parents are again on the lookout for a school to send their kids to.

It’s no joke looking for the best pre-school for one’s child. I know, because there are hundreds, if not thousands, which have mushroomed around our metropolis due to the great demand for early childhood education. Because I homeschooled my children for three-and-a-half to four years and am currently taking my master’s ( in Family Life and Child Development), I would say that I have a pretty good idea of the kind of school I want to send my children to. I often wonder how others manage without having a clue of what to look for in a school.

Nowadays, we are bombarded with loads of information promoting the enhancement of our children’s intellectual and emotional quotient with much focus on the formative 0-7 years of their lives. Many studies reveal that it is during these formative years that children’s foundations for what they could be in the future are cemented and therefore must be taken advantage of. If we want the best for our children, we should make sure they are exposed to a variety of experiences that will help them develop in all areas of their lives.

Preschools are not a place to stash our kids to just to get them out of our way. They are our partners ( parent-partners) in molding our children to the best that they can become. Because they spend only two to three hours daily in school, much of their growth still depends on our influence as parents and their exposure to the outside world. Parents should make it their priority to attend parent-teacher conferences, seminars and caregiver training courses.

Recently, I came across a feature in the papers about a group of women friends who ventured into writing a book about guiding parents in finding the right preschool for their children called Your Guide to Pre-Schools in Metro Manila. I became excited about their idea and was glad that finally, some brave souls managed to do such a very important task. After reading the book, I was glad that they covered just about all the information I needed in deciding on a school for my own kids – in terms of location, tuition, philosophy, curriculum, teacher’s qualifications, security measures and school facilities. There is also a section for special children and pointers on preparing your child for the first day. It is a thorough and well-laid-out guide that saves you a lot of legwork and phone calls. All you need is to visit the school with your child to confirm if indeed that is what will work for you. Remember to make your child’s feel of the school environment a big plus in making your final decision as it will be he who will be spending time in that school. They, too, know what’s best for them.

There are several things to consider before deciding on where to send your child:

• Proximity to your home or work place – Ideally, you would want to send your child to a school that is nearest to where you live so that when you cannot be available to bring or fetch him, other household members can easily do that task for you. I have no qualms about having my children take the tricycle or the jeepney because I know that learning takes place during that time. And since I have chosen a school near our home, there is less to worry about in terms of their safety. You may also save on gas and time if you consider bringing your child to a school that is close to your work place. You would just need to be conscious of the schedule so that it doesn’t conflict with your work hours. This would also allow you to get a chance to grab a snack with your child during your break time.

• Philosophy/curriculum of the school – There are a variety of philosophies offered by different schools. Don’t be swayed to go for what sounds good or popular. Find out what their philosophies mean and how they will enhance the development of your child. Some of the philosophies include: Traditional, Piagetian, Multiple-Intelligence, Reggio Emilia, Montessori, Developmental, Progressive, Waldorf, Bank Street Method. Consider also if they will teach theology to your children. If this area is of utmost importance to you, make sure you find a school with the same faith you want to be instilled in your child.

• Tuition fee – It is not surprising that preschool education costs an arm and a leg because teaching children is no kidstuff. It requires special skills and attention, toys that are designed for learning, an environment of fun and excitement, etc. These things cost a bundle. I don’t believe though that all expensive schools offer good quality service. Be wise. Don’t be fooled into thinking that you will be giving your child the best just because you are paying a fortune for it. Some reasonably priced pre-schools offer better services than others because they own their building and have been around for quite a while. As for newer schools which pay very high rental rates in exclusive subdivisions, tuitions tend to be higher

• Teachers’ qualifications – matter greatly. One time, I was asking advice on a school I found really neat and an educator friend of mine commented that it depends on the teacher. She sets the mood and the mode of instruction. Her expertise and grace make a big difference in the learning of your child. If you observe her class, she is composed even under pressure (you wouldn’t want a teacher who would snap at your child because she’s having a bad hair day) and gives a balance of freedom to learn and proper limitations to keep everyone in order. If you ask around, she should be someone who is a joy to be with.

• School’s environment and facilities – should be safe from harm, security is tight enough that you don’t have to fear that your kids will get kidnapped or escape and run off into the streets. Toys are age-appropriate and clean. Repairs are immediately done on broken fixtures or furniture. Restrooms are well-maintained and constantly disinfected. If your kids have asthma, it is better not to send them to an air-conditioned or carpeted school. They will thrive better in a well-ventilated airy environment. I give priority to cleanliness because my kids have skin asthma and suffer skin breakouts in the presence of too much dust. A well-run school must be clean to insure that kids will be free from getting sick or catching an infection. Besides, cleanliness is next to Godliness, di ba?

Say a prayer before your quest and make sure you clarify your expectations with your husband first. With all that said, Good Luck!

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Your Guide to Pre-Schools in Metro Manila is available at National Book Store and published by Anvil Publishing. Would love to hear from you. E-mail me at: bizwrks@attglobal.net.