Pre-k HOW TO CHOOSE THE BEST IN CT

asparents, making the best decisions for our children often comes with thoughtful consideration. The same is true of their early childhood education. And for those of us choosing to send our kiddos off to preschool — the first community they’ll have outside of the home — it’s important to take the time to consider what you want out of a pre-k program.

THE BENEFITS OF PRESCHOOL Social-Emotional Learning

Preschools provide an environment where children can be independent and exercise a variety of personal, social, and emotional skills with children at similar stages of development. It’s the perfect place to learn perseverance, sharing, and how to manage strong emotions.

Early Learning

Early childhood education programs promote a child’s physical, cognitive, and creative development and instill a lifelong love of learning at a young age.

Building Diversity

Preschools give children an early glance at the richly-diverse world around them. Learning from and amongst children from different backgrounds will arm your child with a sense of acceptance, compassion, and empathy, which they will carry with them for the rest of their life.

Cultivating Self-Sufficiency

To properly prepare your child for kindergarten, it’s important to find a preschool that offers opportunities for self-sufficiency. In these environments, children are responsible for tidying their desks and cubby holes and keeping track of their personal belongings. Some preschool types build on principles of self-sufficiency more than others. We explore them below.

TYPES OF PRESCHOOLS

Since every child is unique, so are their learning, social, and emotional needs. And while parent cooperatives, Emergent, and religious-based pre-k programs have a following all their own, below are the most widely popular preschool types you’re likely to encounter:

1 Montessori: Teachers and group leaders gently guide

student-driven learning.

2 Reggio Emilia: A student-driven style that focuses on the freedom to express and explore ideas using movement, active listening, and hands-on activities.

3 Waldorf: Sees the potential in each child as a wellrounded individual.

4 HighScope: A preschool philosophy that builds upon

play-centric lesson plans.

5 Bank Street: The curriculum incorporates the emotional and

intellectual changes that occur at each age into each lesson.

COST OF PRESCHOOL IN CT

According to the Center for American Progress, the average cost of preschool in the U.S. is $889 per month or $10,668 per year. Annual pre-k costs are substantially higher in CT, however, according to data collected by Private School Review. In CT, the average cost of private preschool tuition is $1,152 per month or $13,828 per year.

OTHER FACTORS TO CONSIDER

When considering preschool in CT, look into the benefits and type of program that works best for your child. As you do, consider the following:

Developmental & Age Appropriateness

Most preschools are divided into separate classes according to the children’s chronological age and developmental stage to ensure each child is learning alongside other children at the same level as them. This won’t be true for every preschool program, especially smaller ones.

Small vs. Large Group Environments

This aspect largely depends on how comfortable your child is around other children. Small group environments may be more individualized when it comes to the curriculum, but large group environments promise more social interaction, sharing, and fun.

Public vs. Private Preschool

Choosing between public and private preschools comes down to cost, class size, and enrollment standards. Private pre-k programs typically offer a smaller teacher-to-student ratio for more one-on-one attention. However, if your budget is restrictive, you may find a comparable public preschool program that’s more cost-effective for your family. Keep in mind, public pre-k’s must admit all eligible students in the school district, and children with temperaments and learning curves that require extra attention will likely work alongside the rest of the class, receiving less personalized support from teachers.

Potty Training

Most preschools require children to be potty trained before they’re admitted, but a smaller number of pre-k programs in CT offer potty training as an add-on to the curriculum. Before choosing the best preschool for your child, you must consider their potty training progression, and choose your child’s school accordingly.

Daily Schedule

The popularity of part-time pre-k is rising alongside the number of work-from-home parents. Many parents now have greater flexibility than when they worked onsite, but others still need to enroll their children in full-time programs. Luckily, most preschools in CT offer part-time, half-day, and extended care programs. Before- and after-care programs meet the needs of families by providing supervision outside of school hours, not to mention more enrichment opportunities.

SCHEDULE A TOUR AND OBSERVE

Of course, the best way to decide on a preschool for your child is to see it for yourself. But what should you be looking for? In an article published by the Harvard Graduate School of Education, Suzanne Bouffard, a writer and researcher focused on child development and education, offered five evidence-backed observations you want to confirm before choosing a preschool:

1 Adults are talking to children in nurturing and

encouraging ways.

2 When children are behaving inappropriately, teachers are

focused on helping them, rather than punishing them.

3 The classroom is fun and joyful.

4 Children are active.

5 Staff are supported — and seem happy.

A WORD FROM LOCAL CT PRESCHOOLS ON JOYFUL LEARNING

We gathered insight from local pre-k institutions to help inform your decision to choose the best preschool program for your child. Coincidentally, Bouffard’s observation about joyful and fun classrooms was a recurring response from the CT preschool professionals we spoke with.

“Landmark Preschool believes that children benefit from joyful learning in an academically-focused and community-minded environment,” said Kimberly Devine. “Your child’s preschool should offer a broad array of academic, social, and developmental lessons that form a cohesive program and prepare children for the next stage.”

Christine Missakian, Preschool Director at The Neighborhood Music School Preschool & Toddler program expressed that their program “celebrates each individual child, nurtures lasting relationships, and creates a sense of belonging” as early learning is strengthened by learning from differences. She further emphasized how important it is to create “joyful experiences that allow children to develop at their own rate.”

CT preschool, Bright Horizons, shared that no matter what families are looking for, preschool should be a joyful place for childhood. •