The majority of education experts agree that children can benefit from attending an academy for a proper early education experience. So, there is no debate about whether a preschool in Gainesville, VA is good for your child or not! However, what really matters is choosing the Best Preschool for Your Child!

Not all preschools are created equal, and choosing the wrong type of school can take away all the benefits associated with early education! Since most of the children attending preschool are in their first years of life, it becomes more critical to choose an organization that can ensure the best facilities and environment for the little one!

So today, we will look at some of the important factors that should be looked at before deciding on a preschool for your child, and how Haymarket Children’s Academy can be the right place for your son or daughter.

How to Choose the Best Preschool for Your Child (Full Guide)

In order to reap the full benefits of early education and to ensure a good environment, you should follow this tips for choosing the best preschool for your child:

1. Size of Class

One of the most important factors is the size of the class. In general, a low teacher-to-child ratio is a good feature, as it ensures that maximum care and attention are provided to each child. It also reflects the preschool’s commitment to providing a nurturing environment for every student.

If you notice a fully packed class with 1 teacher, then that is a red flag that might generate discomfort or even regret in the near future.

For example, the teacher-to-child ratio in Haymarket Children’s Academy is 1 to 4 (1 teacher for 4 children) until the 18th month of age. And for children older than 16 months, the teacher-to-child ratio changes to 1 to 5 (1 teacher for 5 children), and then continues to grow as your kid grows older.

2. Qualification of Teachers

Another beneficial perk to take in consideration is the qualification of the teachers working at the school! Of course, class size and the teacher-to-child ratio is important, but the qualification of the teachers matters too! If a teacher is underqualified, it means that your kid will not be able to reap all the benefits of attending a preschool! Therefore, it is not the best preschool for your child.

A good preschool will have a team of qualified teachers who have sufficient experience working with children. On the other hand, a preschool made for profit will just try to hire underqualified staff and ‘pack as many kids as possible’ into a class!

So, when you visit different preschools, always ask about the teacher’s qualifications and their knowledge about the institution’s curriculum activities. A teacher’s job is not just to keep a child busy and entertained! They must know about the child’s development and what steps need to be taken to teach the little ones!

3. Stimulating Environment

When visiting a preschool, always remember to check the environment as well. A good preschool will have enough resources and equipment to keep the children busy learning things and having fun.

For playtime, there should be enough equipment, such as hula hoops, beanbags, swings, balancing beams, among many other important features. If you notice a play area with just just a few pieces of equipment, then that’s a sign that the preschool is not good enough for your kid.

Ideally, there should be enough playing equipment so that every child gets a chance instead of just staring at others! On top of that, there should be enough variety as well so that a child can choose from their favorite activities such as puzzles, playdough, games, and so on.

At Haymarket Children’s Academy, there are a lot of different activities for everyone, from the nursery class to kindergarten, and even primary school!

4. Check the Atmosphere

How does it feel to visit the preschool? Does it feel like a good & happy place for the children? Does it feel disorganized or tense? Does it expose good vibes?

A state of the art and professional school should have a happy atmosphere and should feel like a home with content children! On the other hand, a preschool that feels tense or resembles a boarding school is not what you should be looking for!

And, while checking the general atmosphere of the preschool, also check how the general staff and the teachers interact with the children. Once again, a loving atmosphere and good behavior of staff towards the children is what you should be aiming for!

5. Distance

Another important factor in deciding on a good preschool is the distance. Generally, the preschool should be close to your home or your workplace so that commuting becomes easier. For instance, if you live in Prince William County, you might want to look for the best daycare in Gainesville, VA. A preschool that is too far away will consume more gas and even cost you more time!

At the end of the day, you will also have to account for the traveling expenses as well. On top of that, a preschool that is too far away will also make it uncomfortable for the child if they are going to attend classes multiple times a week.

6. Nursery Section

From 4 weeks until 12 months of age, your child will be admitted to the nursery section. So if your child is within that age range, then you need to choose a preschool that also offers the nursery section! The care and the facilities needed for younger children are usually different than those who are 1.5 years to 2 years old.

When visiting the preschool, always inquire about the facilities offered in the nursery section, especially if your child is younger. For example, Haymarket Children’s Academy has separate private rooms in which the babies can sleep comfortably in the cribs without being disturbed.

 7. Class Schedule

What will be the class schedule in the preschool? How long will be the duration of a class? All of these questions are important when choosing a preschool!

Some children will love to spend only a few hours (2-3) at the preschool at best. On the other hand, some do fine even for an extended period of time at the preschool! So the answer to that question will be different for each child!

Also, look at how much time is spent on learning-based activities, as that’s how a child will learn most of the stuff! A good preschool will have enough time for play-based activities in the class schedule to deliver a healthy dose of fun and learning to the children!

At the Haymarket Children Academy, a lot of focus is made on learning-based activities to ensure that children engage in proper play and learning!

Best Preschool For Your Child: Haymarket Children’s Academy

If you are still unsure about what is the best preschool for your child, please contact Haymarket Children’s Academy now, and you will find a passionate, professional & loveable team that will dedicate to your child’s every need. Call HCA today: 571-261-2020.