5 Things to Look For While Selecting a Preschool Post-Pandemic

1. 5 Things to Look For While Selecting a Preschool Post-Pandemic “This looks good but is it the best for my kid?” This is a common question that pops up in the minds of parents while taking important decisions for their little ones. And when it comes to picking the first ever school for their child, it is not as easy as searching Preschool and Childcare near me on Google. In this post-pandemic age, many parents are still apprehensive about sending their children anywhere outside the safe confines of their homes, fearing the spread of Covid-19. To answer the most commonly asked question of how to pick a preschool that is safe for my young one and near me? Here’s a checklist for every parent to follow and choose the right preschool or childcare for their little ones. ✓ ✓ Child safe space The safety of their kid is of paramount importance to every parent and even more so in a post-pandemic era. So while finalising a preschool for the kid, a parent should check out

2. every little detail about the preschool. For that, a parent should know what is important in current times. Ask the following questions to make sure the campus is safe for your child: Are all areas in the school including washrooms, well-kept and sanitised? Are all the staff members vaccinated? What are the safety measures taken in the school in case of an outbreak? Is the school fully equipped with not only age-appropriate toys but also with smoke detectors & first-aid kits? How does the staff ensure that the guidelines by the government are being followed? Be it social distancing, wearing masks or sanitising hands? Does the school have a response mechanism for different pandemic scenarios? If you as a parent think that the preschool or childcare centre has left no stone unturned to keep the above points checked, you have your answer right in front of you. ✓ ✓ Holistic learning environment According to NIEER director W. Steven Barnett, PhD, children who attend high-quality preschool enter kindergarten with better pre-reading skills & richer vocabularies. Quality education in the formative years is also important because the first five years of kids are the most important years as during this period their brain grows to 90 percent

3. of its final adult size, which means it is nearly full grown. And good quality, early learning can be achieved with holistic play-based learning. Holistic learning basically implies that the child gets to develop physically, personally, socially, emotionally and spiritually as well. A preschool that prioritises holistic learning and growth provides kids with multiple opportunities to explore how things work & helps them enhance their skills. It has dedicated teachers who teach a well-structured curriculum in a fully equipped space. When it comes to the current scenario, a preschool should also teach kids about the importance of sanitisation & should promote hygiene. It should help kids build self- confidence after being cooped up in their homes for almost 2 years. A preschool should also make sure to teach the kids to be independent and help them discover that they are capable enough to do things for themselves. ✓ ✓ Parent involvement For almost two years, kids spent ALL their time with their parents. Hence, they somewhat have a habit of seeing their parents around all the time. Parents surely are overwhelmed with sending their kid to preschool but it is equally upsetting for the kid to leave his/her home & go out.

4. Moreover, during this pandemic, the importance of parents in supporting the early learning of kids has emerged as a critical area for supporting families. So, this increased engagement of parents should ideally be sustained. As a parent try to make sure that the preschool has a well-planned programme for your kid that involves you as well. A school that plans family picnics, holiday parties, and parent social events, should get extra brownie points from parents. ✓ ✓ Qualified & certified teachers Children spend a considerable amount of time in school, as parents, you need to make sure that during that time the kids are in safe hands. So parents need to look for a preschool where the school also understands that kids are coming back out from their houses after a long time and will be spending a lot of time with the educators. Hence the educators should know how to help the kids to adjust to the new normal by putting in extra efforts to make them feel at ease. According to research, the interactions with teachers influence a kid’s concurrent and long-term social, emotional, and academic development. Take a tour and enter a class when the teacher is teaching. See if the teacher is interacting with the kids frequently, and answering their questions politely and patiently. Other than that a parent needs to know about the teachers’ training and credentials. While educated & qualified teachers are a must, teachers in a preschool should also be CPR & MAT certified. Be it basic first aid training or be it covid safety measures, the parents should be able to rely on the teachers for their kids’ safety. It will ensure that your kid is in good hands, hands that will keep them safe.

5. ✓ ✓Believe in your gut-feeling You as a parent are an expert when it comes to your child, as no one knows what is best for them apart from you. Once you make a decision maybe a rush of affirmation will show you that you are indeed doing the right thing. One way to see it for yourself is by visiting a school. Plan your visit to Little Wings, one of the best preschool & child care centres in the Bopal, Shela and South Bopal are and see for yourself how a space can fill you with warmth and happiness. As a parent, you will see how your child is in safe hands. So, trust your instincts and choose a preschool or daycare near you that speaks to you. Though it will take time for your kid to get back in routine, eventually they will. And then you’ll realise that you did a good job. Pro tip: Always remember, early childhood education doesn’t stop once the kid is back from school. Sit and listen to the amazing stories your kid has for you & you can also do an analysis of the school you chose! To every parent out there who is constantly worrying about finding a preschool or child care centre for their child, especially in the Bopal, South Bopal, Shela or Ghuma area, connect with us over email hr@littlewings.net or give us a call on 95740 26999 to start a discussion. Content source