After grandparents, day nurseries are the most popular form of childcare for children under three. If you want or need to return to work, what are your options? Some nurseries offer childcare from birth, but the youngest babies usually start nursery is approximately three months old. If you need to send your child to nursery at this age, check that the nursery you choose has experience with newborns and that they meet certain government standards.
For example, there are recommended ratios for the amount of children to adults: for babies aged years it is one adult to every three babies. In , less than a quarter of women returned to work after giving birth; now that figure is just over three quarters. There is research that suggests that toddlers starting nursery after being home since birth experience high levels of stress in the first weeks of being separated from their parents.
One study conducted by Cambridge University found that levels of the stress hormone cortisol doubled in children during the first nine days of childcare without their mother present, compared to the level they had before going to nursery.
The levels fell but were still higher five months later, even though the children outwardly appeared settled and happy at nursery. If all the pictures look the same, then your child will learn to make a bunny just like everyone else's. That's not really the goal. The classroom should have a variety of activity areas -- a reading place, an art station with materials on shelves that kids can reach, a block corner, a puzzle area, and a place for naps.
Children should not all be doing the same thing at the same time; they should be playing with toys or other kids but still well supervised. Finally, do you feel comfortable?
Find out about the teachers' training and credentials. Ideally, head teachers should have a minimum of an associate's degree and formal training in early-childhood education. Also, consider teacher-child ratios. According to NAEYC standards, there should be at least one teacher for every eight to ten 4- and 5-year-olds, and one adult for every six 2- and 3-year-olds.
Low child-teacher ratios are very important, since they allow teachers to give ample attention to everyone, notes Dr. Talk to the teachers about how they work with the kids. Visit a class while it's going on. A good teacher talks with children, asking a lot of questions and patiently answering theirs.
She makes kids feel welcome and fosters their self-confidence. Talk with the teacher about a typical day, and ways in which she'll keep you informed about your child's progress. If she's responsive to your questions and you're happy with her answers and her classroom style, you've found a good fit. Reprinted with permission from the February issue of Parents magazine.
Why Preschool Matters. By Beth Kanter June 11, Save Pin FB More. The Importance of Preschool 1. What's the difference between childcare and preschool? When you meet with the school's director, ask about the following. Does my child need to be toilet-trained? The lowdown on the right school shoes for your child. Good quality early years education can really help their social, language and brain development. Today's most read The 5 gift rule. Nursery or pre-school entitlement Starting nursery or pre-school Starting pre-school or nursery is a big moment for your child.
Younger preschool children tend to do shorter days or attend fewer days in the week. Then, as children get closer to kindergarten age, they may attend longer days and go every day of the week. You will want to shortlist a few preschools and then arrange to visit them.
You might want to ask about class sizes; a low pupil-teacher ratio will ensure that your child receives enough individual attention to really help them thrive. You should also find out about daily schedules and the approaches teachers take to handling tantrums and conflict between children. You might also want to find out how potty accidents are dealt with and how much help children are given in going to the bathroom.
Your child needs to feel safe and able to trust their caregivers. A supportive and caring environment is vital to enable your child to thrive. There are many benefits to sending your child to a high-quality preschool. Academic input is just one of these benefits. Children need social and emotional skills too, to prepare them for a successful transition to kindergarten and onwards into their longer-term education.
Contact us now to find out more about our locations in Florida and Orlando. When Do Kids Start Preschool? A Comprehensive Guide. How Old Are Preschoolers? What Age Does Preschool Start? What Are the Benefits of Preschool? Social Interaction and Independence Learning social interaction is just as important as academic learning. Physical Activity Preschool also provides ample opportunity for physical activity. Why Is Preschool So Important?
What Do Kids Learn at Preschool? Is My Child Ready for Preschool? Self-Care Potty training is another important issue. How to Choose a Preschool So now you know the age range of preschoolers, the benefits of preschool, and how to tell if your child is ready to make this big step.
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