Finding the appropriate play school to send your child is one of the biggest decisions that you will make as a parent. Early years of life determine the general development of a child, his/her style of learning and his/her social skills. A play school is not only fun and games but the initial step to an organized education. This is why parents should not rush to make any final decision without first visiting several schools, meeting with teachers and closely receiving other facilities.

Yet you know what to look at, how? The difference can be a well-planned play school visit checklist and posing the correct questions. This blog will discuss the best questions to ask in the play school, the best tips to use in a practical play school visit, and how a choice can be made when selecting the right play school to send your child.

Why Play School Visits Matter?

A visit to a play school will enable you to look past brochures and websites. It provides you with a first hand experience of the environment your child will be spending very important hours each day. Parents are allowed to see what happens in the classroom, the way it is taught, the safety level, and even the way children conduct themselves in the classroom. You can easily lose important information that affects the comfort of your child and learning without a physical visit.

Best Questions to Ask at Play School

The following is a list of the key questions that are needed on the checklist of any parent:

1. What is the Teacher to Child Ratio?

At this stage children require attention on their own. A small teacher to children ratio means your child will not feel neglected. Preferably, a teacher for every 10-12 children is good.

2. What are the Teacher Qualifications and Training?

Special skills are needed in early childhood education. Ask whether the teachers are trained in preschool and child psychology. This will make you know whether they are patient and creative when it comes to dealing with toddlers.

3. What is the daily routine?

Children thrive on routine. Inquire about the school daily schedule, learning time, playtime, nap breaks, and meals. This can make you assess whether the routine is academics-fun balanced.

4. What is Discipline in School?

Each school has a style of behavior management. Make sure that their techniques are age correct, respectful, and non-punitive.

5. What Safety Nets Exist?

It is amongst the most important questions to ask at play school. Look for CCTV cameras, secure entry/exit points, background-verified staff, and first aid availability. The first thing should always be safety.

6. What an Idiot’s Guide to Parental Communication in the School?

Trust is achieved through clear communication. Ask whether the school gives periodic updates, newsletters, or parent teacher conferences to update you on the progress of your child.

7. Which Learning Processes?

Other play schools adhere to Montessori, others Reggio Emilia, others combine both. The fact that they know their way will give you the idea whether it suits your child.

8. Are Meals and Snacks Provided?

If yes, ask about the menu. In early childhood, healthy nutrition matters. Otherwise, make sure that you have to pack meals every day.

9. What is the School Policy on illness ?

Children are easily susceptible to illness. See whether the school isolates sick children, their emergency management and medical tie-ups.

10. How Are Festivals and Events Celebrated?

The cultural values are learned by celebrations. Inquire about the way the school incorporates festivals, birthdays, and special days into the program.

Related topic: A Safety Checklist for Parents Choosing a Preschool

Play School Visit Checklist

Here’s a quick play school visit checklist to take along:

• Observe the cleanliness and hygiene of classrooms and washrooms.

• Ensure that there are child friendly pieces of furniture and safe toys.

• Observe the manner in which teachers handle children, are they patient and friendly?

• Look for emergency exits, fire extinguishers, and medical kits.

• Observation of the children – are they interested, cheerful and at home?

• Inquire about transportation facilities and their safety measures.

Play School Visit Tips for Parents

To ensure that you maximize on these visits, you can follow these tips on play school visits:

• School visit – This will give you the opportunity to observe classroom action.

• Write notes – Remember to write down what you noticed and what you answered in order to compare schools in the future.

• Bring your child – You may decide to bring your child along in case he/she feels at ease.

• Open questions – This will allow you to receive answers in more depth than yes/no.

• Follow your heart – More than facilities and brochures, you should feel your heart about the place.

Related Topic: Signs Your Child is Prepared for Preschool – A Parents Guide

Picking The Right Play School

Whom do you conclude on after making several visits and evaluations? The following are some of the tips that should be used when selecting the right play school:

• Fit with your values: The school teaching style and discipline techniques must be in line with your philosophy of parenting.

• Proximity: A school that is nearer to home saves time and the stress your child is exposed to.

• Budget: Make the fee system clear and on par with the facilities offered.

• Reputation: See online reviews and talk to available parents to obtain the real information.

• Comfort of the child: The most important is, you have to select the school where your child is comfortable to go, safe and has an interest to attend.

Conclusion

The choice of a play school is not all about just classrooms or location but rather a matter of availability of a secure, supportive and safe environment where your child is going to develop and prosper. The correct questions to ask in play school, an effective play school visit checklist and visit  tips will help you make the best decision. After all, in selecting the appropriate play school, it is essential to have a place where the kid has a sense of belonging, loves, and wants to learn.