Early education centres are one of the very best ways to give young children a great start in life, but it’s also important to choose the right one for you and your child. Not all early learning centres are exactly the same, so in this article, we’re going to be posing some questions for you, so you know what to look for before making a decision.
Does the Centre Have a School Readiness Program?
One of the most important things an early learning facility can do for children is help to prepare them for the school years to come. You’ll want to choose a centre that offers a school readiness program.
This program teaches kids the basics in education, such as mathematics, English, science and other subjects. Not only that, personal development, including improving self-confidence in a child, is also an integral part of a school preparedness program. The more prepared children are for school, the smoother the transition will be.
Will Children Learn About Nutrition?
Another vital thing you’ll want an early learning centre to teach your children is nutrition and all about healthy eating. In a group situation and with encouragement by experienced teachers and minders, children are far more likely to gain an interest in discovering what good nutrition is all about, why they should eat healthy food and be more positive about eating things like vegetables.
Check that the early education centre has a program in their curriculum that focuses on nutrition and that they serve children delicious, yet healthy meals in the facility.
Are the Centre’s Hours Convenient?
You’ll want to enrol your child or children in a centre that has hours that suit your schedule and lifestyle. For example, if you want your child to be at the centre while you’re at work, is the centre operating during those exact work hours?
Some early learning centres open very early in the morning and close quite late in the day. It depends on the centre, so be sure to check their operating hours before enrolling your child.
Do the Staff and Children Seem Positive and Happy?
A good idea, once you have a centre or two in mind, is to actually go to the centre, speak to the staff, peruse their curriculum and generally have a good look around. Don’t just rush in and rush out. Spend a bit of time observing, seeing how the kids interact with their carers, what activities they are involved in and whether everyone seems happy and positive.
You want to be sure you are placing your child in a good environment, where they will learn, be comfortable and have a good time. A stressful and negative vibe is the exact opposite of what you want to be looking for.
Is It a Safe and Secure Environment?
Safety and security are paramount when it comes to leaving children in an early education facility. Once again, it pays to visit the centre in person to discover whether the environment is safe and secure. This includes the centre itself, the grounds, activities and the staff who work there.
Chat with staff members regarding how they ensure a safe and secure environment for the children.
Are Kids Having Fun?
Although learning and education are top priorities in any early learning facility, the bottom line is, kids need to be having fun. If children are bored, they simply won’t be motivated to learn.
When you check out various centres, take note of whether the kids are generally having a fun time or whether they appear bored and disinterested with it all.
Young kids focus on fun more than anything else, so you’ll want to know that your child will be having a good time at the centre.
How To Find An Early Learning Centre
To find some early learning centres in your location to take a closer look at, simply go online and search for your area. As an example, if you’re in Concord in NSW, try the following search terms:
- Preschool Concord
- Concord early education centre
- Early learning centre Concord
- And so on…
The Takeaway
Early education facilities give children the best start in life, but it’s vital to choose the right centre. If you follow the tips in this guide, you’ll find the best centre for you and your child.
