5 questions parents should ask when choosing a kindergarten
Parents today have more options for kindergarten education than ever before. Learn the questions every parent should ask to find the best school fit for your child
Public or private? Full-day or half-day? Even homeschooling? While parents today have more choices for their children’s education, the options can be confusing. How do you make sure the school you choose is the right one for your child?
We’ve narrowed down the five questions every parent should ask to help you pick the right kindergarten for your child.
1. Is your child ready?
In Ontario, children are not required to attend primary school until grade one and in other provinces there is only one year of kindergarten. What are the signs that your child is ready? Is your child able to:
- go to the bathroom by him/herself?
- put on coat and shoes independently?
- count and recite the alphabet? Although not crucial, it will help to know the basics.
- spend time comfortably without having parents nearby?
- get along well with other kids?
If you answered yes, then your child is most likely ready and you can begin the countdown to kindergarten! If you think your child may not be ready for school, you may want to consider other preschool options like Montessori school or homeschooling, until your little Einstein is ready for the first grade.
2. Does the school address your family’s needs?
Separate school, private or French language school: the choice is yours. You know your child best and you would want a school — public or private — that builds on your child’s strengths.
What you should factor into your decision:
- School proximity
- School transportation, e.g. bus schedule
- Special interests like language, arts and alternative programs
- School curriculum structure
- Your financial situation
- School amenities, ie. playgrounds, gymnasium, physical activity time, etc.
- Talk to other parents in the community. Does the school have a good reputation?
Read on for more questions to ask when searching for the right kindergarten for your child >
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What do you think?
playingtrix says ....
Guest_158218 - both my sons are born late in the year and I worried about having them enter Kindergarten* when they were just three years old. But I don't think age alone though can tell you if your child is ready.
My eldest son didn't seem ready, so he didn't enter school until SK. I did want him to have some structure, so we put him in extra curricular classes that didn't require parents to participate and I worked on the basic academics with him at home.
My youngest son watched his older brother going to school and was ready and excited to start in JK, so he went.
Both are now excelling in school and enjoy it.
Make your decision based on your child's personality and needs. Some three year olds are ready and some are not. If you think she can handle all day school and will like it, then let her go, but don't be afraid to hold her back if you think she needs more time.
* please note that my decision was base on half-day JK. Neither of my children would have been ready for full-day Kindergarten when they were just three years old.
Guest_158218 says ....
my daughter will not be 4 until dec. 24th 2012, i feel that she will be too young to start even j.k. in the fall. does anyone else agree with me? My husband does not and feels she will be fine. I am very stressed as most of the schools in my area are now full time/ all day jk and sk. i do think that she needs some kind of structure other than "mommy" , but school at 3yrs??? anyone????