Pre-schools

While some public schools offer preschool programs, more often than not, parents have to find their own pre-schools until their child is ready for public school kindergarten. You will discover, as a parent, that there are different types of pre-schools. There are the ones based on a Christian perspective that are offered through a church. However, you will most likely find one that is a private preschool or one that is part of a franchise that uses the same basic preschool curriculum no matter where they are located.

Each option of pre-schools has its pros and cons. If you are adamant about your child being able to learn about God and Christian values, then a church-based preschool is the way to go. Of course, private pre-schools do not have to adhere to the same rules as public schools regarding mentioning God or other things that have been banned. Therefore, you might want to visit several of the private pre-schools in your area to determine what their values are.

You will also want to ask about preschool lesson plans and what your child will be learning. Each school is different and works with different preschool software and preschool worksheets and curriculum. In fact, there are some that revolve around preschool themes. Typically, these are core values that the school sticks to no matter if they are playing preschool games or participating in preschool activities such as field trips.

Preschool crafts are an important part of the day for kids. You should check to make sure that your child will get to experience this along with learning the basics like reading rudimentary skills. Pre-schools will also likely give parents various resources for extra-curricular activities for their child. Be sure to ask about this. Chances are that they will point you to preschool online games that enhance learning skills and other activities.

With pre-schools, you will run into the fact that sometimes they have preschool fundraisers, sometimes for themselves and sometimes to raise money for other causes. A preschool fundraiser is a great tool to teach children about money and why it is being raised. You will likely find a sample preschool fundraising letter in your information packet from the school or even on their website.

Another cool thing about pre-schools is that many extra-curricular activities come to them. Dance, music, and physical education classes are popular and are great preparation for their kindergarten year. Plus, there are also opportunities for pictures as well. A local preschool photography studio usually will offer their services to take pictures that parents can buy. Typically, they will come in the fall as well as offer portrait studio preschool sessions in the spring.

When visiting the different pre-schools, be sure to ask them about their teachers, their different accreditations and even their typical food menu for the kids. You want to ensure that their curriculum and values mesh with yours.