What makes for the best preschool?
Choosing the right preschool for your child: factors to consider
Quick summary
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Preschools prepare your child for the school years. The aim is to give them a strong start in kindergarten, one that provides a great basis for elementary school and beyond.
Most preschools are intended for children between the ages of three and five. Many preschools, though, have programs for infants (birth to 18 months) and toddlers (18 months to 3 years).
Most three year olds (and some kids as young as two) are ready for a preschool or nursery program (or a daycare with some focus on early learning). Of course, not all kids are ready at this age, as they mature at different rates. And it may be the case that some kids may not be a good fit for preschool (or certain preschools) at any age.
Most children are ready for preschool education by age three (and some younger). And while not all children are the right fit, many are.
How do you know if your child is ready for preschool? Your child should be at least three (unless an infant or toddler preschool is offered). They should also be meeting developmental milestones and not have any severe special need(s) (unless it’s a preschool supporting the special need(s) in question). It’s also a plus if they seek independence and are comfortable when separated from you and their home (although some separation anxiety is normal).
Here are some other helpful traits for preschool. Keep in mind, many kids won’t have them before preschool, but develop them during it.
Preschool questions (read our in-depth answers) |
Assuming your child is ready for preschool, you’ll want to find the best one. You should look at several preschools and choose one that’s the right fit for you, your family, and your child.
Choosing the best preschool is no small task. First, you should consider general factors. These relate to a school’s overall suitability, for any child. They include the following:
Stacy Paton, ECE program manager of Queen Margaret’s School, in Duncan, BC agrees with the importance of first looking at a preschool’s safety and discipline policies. She also stresses the importance of meeting licensing requirements, and having qualified staff and engaging materials. Here’s her list of a preschool’s must-haves:
Besides general factors, you should also consider factors specific to you. You’ll want to find a preschool that’s the right fit for you, your child, and your family. While preschools have pros and cons, the best preschool will be consistent with your family’s values, philosophies, and beliefs. It will also meet a wide range of your practical needs.
Finding the right preschool depends on a wide range of factors.
You need to decide whether your child is suitable for preschool. If they are, you then need to choose the right program for them. These are big decisions: neither should be taken lightly.
In fact, we suggest breaking these decisions down into four different stages. Determining whether you child is ready for preschool, doing basic research, narrowing your choices down, and making the final decision. You should go through these stages in order. Don’t move to the next one until you’ve completed the preceding one.
Selecting a preschool for your child can be a daunting task. You want to give them a headstart in life and a great foundation for the school years. And preschool can be one of the biggest pieces of the puzzle.
Luckily, there are lots of great resources to help you in your preschool search.
“The best way to determine whether a preschool is a good fit is by visiting on more than one occasion. The program on one day might be different from the program on another day. Additionally, it is important to visit several schools, in order to have a basis of comparison. Even if you are sure of one preschool, visit others to be sure.” Ann Wolff, educational consultant at Wolff Educational Services, in Toronto, Ontario
“It’s best if children are offered a balance of activities and quiet times. A child who has happy and successful learning experiences will likely be motivated to keep learning in those areas. No two children are exactly alike, and so the ‘fit’ will vary from one preschool environment to another, and parents will have to see what best suits their particular child, while keeping in mind that interests and development will take different directions over time.” Joanne Foster, educational specialist, and co-author (with Dona Matthews) of Beyond Intelligence, Secrets for Raising Happily Productive Kids
“Selecting a preschool that is a good fit for your child can be exciting as well as overwhelming. As a parent, you want to be confident that you decide on the right program for your little one, but how do you make the best choice? Always inquire about practical matters first. When visiting preschools, evaluate practical issues specific to your family’s needs. These include the school's hours, proximity to your home or work, available transportation, after-hours options, cost, class size, and staff-to-child ratio. Be sure to ask about the application and admission procedures and the timeline for these. Start considering programs early and get information to make sure you don’t miss any deadlines.
Some important questions to ask:
Will the school provide references?” Lee Venditti, director of J. Addison, a Montessori school in Markham, Ontario
“What should parents look for? We encourage parents to visit the licensed physical location of the program that interests them. Parents should look for qualified instructors who offer the ‘whole child’ experience. It is important that families choose a centre that matches their goals, personal philosophies, their child’s needs/personality, and above all receive confirmation that the staff are committed to the safety and well-being of the children at all times.
When visiting preschools, it is important for parents to watch the physical interaction between educator and child. This is to ensure that the children are respected, nurtured, and age-appropriately challenged. This balance is important for establishing a healthy educational relationship between preschools and families.” Stacy Paton, ECE program manager of Queen Margaret’s School, in Duncan, British Columbia
“Visit the preschool and ask for a tour of the entire facility. Make sure to spend time observing the children interacting with the teachers and the physical space. A warm nurturing teaching staff with experience is vital. High teacher retention is key (low staff turnover), as this is a sign of an effectively managed preschool.
The curriculum should be engaging, child-centred, and should address the needs of the whole child—social, emotional, physical and academic. Ask about the schedule: a good preschool should have a well-developed schedule that fits the developmental needs of the children’s specific ages with appropriate time allotted for nutrition, rest, and outdoor play/exploration.” Kate Meadowcroft, teacher at Elmwood School (the early years program), in Ottawa, Ontario
“A visit to a school will give you a sense of the environment. It’s a good idea to carefully observe the classroom. Do the children look happy? Are they engaged in a wide variety of activities? How are they interacting with each other and the teacher? All of this information will help determine if the school is the right fit for you and your family.” Corina Gill, assistant head of the lower school at Bayview Glen Independent School, in Toronto, Ontario
“When choosing a preschool, it is ultimately up to each parent to decide on the best learning environment that would best suit their child. The school that they choose should fit their individual needs and provide quality teachers and resources. If the child feels safe and happy, and they are showing progression, then it is the right fit.” Debbie Keough, teacher at Prestige School, a gifted school, in Richmond Hill, Ontario
What should parents be looking for in educators? We asked one of the best. [Read more]
The Capstone Years program at Pickering College is reimagining what a school project can be. [Read more]
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Star Academy offers programs from Pre-Kindergarten to Grade Eight in Mississauga. Small class sizes, daily physical education and French for all grades, and academic excellence set us apart.
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We offer a sound, internationally recognized academic foundation. Our students gain fluency in three languages and achieve mastery of biology, chemistry and physics.
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Ellesmere Montessori School prepares children for a lifetime of creative and purposeful learning based on the philosophy of Dr. Maria Montessori.
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Trinity Montessori School offers programs from toddler to grade six in Markham, Ontario. Its average class size is nine students.
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Aurora Montessori School offers a comprehensive, nurturing and enriched program for Toddler to Grade 8. Our enrolment of 375 day students has an average class size of 15 to 24.
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Rotherglen School - MISSISSAUGA is a montessori school that offers programs from pre-school to grade eight. Its average class size is 18 students.
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ABC Montessori is one of Mississauga's premier private schools. The school offers both Montessori and traditional school programs from preschool to Grade 5.
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The PK – Grade 6 program is a visible expression of the philosophy embodied in Ledson's books, Raising Brighter Children and Teach Your Child to Read in Just 10 Minutes a Day.
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Kingsway College School offers programs for PK to grade 8 in Etobicoke. Its average class size is 17 to 21 students.
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Oxford Learning Academy – where your child will experience a homeschooling approach with the benefits of socialization in a small classroom environment. This Milton private school runs from PK to grade 8.
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Bishop Hamilton Montessori School is a Christian Montessori school in Ottawa, Ontario, with classes from Infants to grade eight.
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Vincent Massey supports students in reaching their individual potential through a balanced education; setting your child up for success in all avenues of life.
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Humberside Montessori Schools a montessori private school in Toronto. It offers programs from nursery to grade eight.
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Calgary French & International School graduates will be active global citizens with a foundation for life-long success, and our school will be the leader in French immersion and international education.
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