Choosing a preschool? Follow these guidelines

This paid piece is sponsored by Bishop O’Gorman Catholic Schools.

One of the most important decisions you will make as a parent is your child’s education. That starts as early as preschool for 3-year-olds. Each preschool has its own culture with features and characteristics that make it unparalleled to any other school.

Finding a preschool that complements your child’s unique individual talents, interests and needs is imperative. The knowledge, values and skills students start to learn as early as preschool are vital to their success further into elementary school and beyond.

The following provides a guideline as you start your search for the right preschool for your child.

Signs to look for to know when your 3-year-old might be ready

Potty-trained: If they can verbally tell you when they have to go to the bathroom and can use the bathroom by themselves, they are ready! We all know accidents happen, and sometimes children do need help, but mostly they can be in the bathroom independently.

Sense of independence: Playing with other kids and entertaining themselves for a short period of time is a good indicator that your 3-year-old may be ready. For example, 10-minute activities that are throughout the room that include cutting, gluing and other skills preschoolers need to develop.

Basic instruction: Can your child follow basic instructions, and do they have basic self-care skills? An example would be feeding themselves, putting on shoes, cleaning up toys when asked, etc. If they can do simple tasks such as these, they may be ready for preschool!

Interest in books: The enjoyment of being read to or showing an interest in wanting to be read to is a good sign your child is on the right track for starting preschool!

Emotional attachment: Being emotionally ready is an important sign to look for when deciding if your child is ready. Can they handle being away from you for short periods of time?

Interest in school: Are they telling you they want to go to school? This easily could be a sign they are ready to give preschool a try!

Social skills: Are they eager to meet new friends? This might be an early sign that they are looking for more ways to develop their social skills.

Considerations

Options for preschool: The options for preschools are growing. Geography might not be the only factor to rely on when deciding on a preschool. Are you looking for part-time half-day options or do you need full day care for your child? A healthy balance of social play and academics is important.

Tuition: Most schools will give you general cost information such as a fact sheet, school profile or brochure. While your family’s budget may dictate your choice, be sure you factor in the value and safety provided for the cost.

Beyond preschool: What does it look like for your child after preschool? Looking into what the next step would be for your child after preschool is another integral part of planning for preschool. Where would kindergarten be? Is it in the same school? Would you have to change buildings?

Safe environment: From birth to age 5, a child’s brain develops more than any other time in their life. Scientific research shows that the quality of a child’s experience in those first few years of life helps shape how their brain develops. Imagine your child having positive experiences in those early, critical years of mental development. What does that look like?

Next steps

Attend an open house or tour: Many schools host an open house or offer personal tours. Visiting a school during a regular school day is one of the best ways to get a feel for the school culture and environment. Take time to talk to administrators about the school’s values, observe students’ behavior and get a sense of the school’s expectations and culture.

Jordy Duran-Garcia, preschool teacher at St. Katharine Drexel, shared some information on Preschool 3 at Bishop O’Gorman Catholic Schools.

“The students start out the day with a variety of table-based activities to choose from,” she said. “Then we go into circle time where we do prayer and calendar and talk about our day. We then transition into learning centers and our focus of the week. The students will go to recess and have a snack. After that we will finish up our learning centers, and then the kids get a chance to play for a little bit. We will end our morning with circle time and prayer.”

She also shared what makes Bishop O’Gorman Catholic Schools different from other preschool programs.

“What I love most is that I get to incorporate Jesus into everything that we do at school. I love the opportunity to pray with my students. The fact we get to talk about Jesus and how much he loves them is wonderful. Reading the Bible stories and talking about the different people in the Bible are so fun for the students. I love hearing the students recall them and talk about them! On top of that, we have a wonderful curriculum that is enriching and hands-on. It truly helps the students get prepared for kindergarten.”

If you’re interested in learning more about Bishop O’Gorman Catholic Schools’ preschool program, please contact our admissions office at 605-575-3358 or [email protected]. You also can go online to inquire or schedule a tour!