Though summer is still at it's peak, now may be the best time to start looking for a preschool for your little one. Chances are, you're more anxious about this milestone than your child is.Everyone you meet will likely have their own opinion on this subject, and it's usually based on something that they’ve heard from someone else. Even if other parents seem well informed, you should always educate yourself from a reliable unbiased source, and look into all of your options thoroughly.
So, what exactly do you need to know about a school before considering sending your child there? How does each school differ? What are their educational philosophies and what do they mean? How do you identify a quality program?
There weren't always this many questions for a parent to ask themselves, for example, in the 1950s, it was rare for children to attend nursery school.
Many mothers were stay-at-home moms, and so, there wasn’t the need or desire to send children to school at young ages.
One woman, who runs the Y preschool in NYC, who was herself a child at that time, says that in general, childhood was much less hurried, and the pressure to “get ahead” simply didn't exist back then.
By the late 70s however, things had changed. It was much more common for families to be enrolling their children to school before kindergarten, beginning at age three.
With more mothers working outside the home, parents wanted to feel secure that their children would be spending time in a stimulating, sociable environment rather than staying at home all day with the babysitter.
In addition researchers had begun looking into children’s early brain development, and determined that the majority of learning actually occurs during the first five years of life. Obviously, parents armed with this new knowledge, and wanting their children to reach their full potential, took advantage.
Good preschool programs can provide your child with the skills and confidence needed for the next stages of education, all in a safe and happy environment where not only is everything child sized, but the pace and tone is child-centered, where there are stimulating and interesting things to learn, and new friends to make.
Preschool can also help your child take the first steps toward independence, and help you let go if you are used to being the only caregiver. In addition being in this type of place can help your child learn to be part of a group, play cooperatively, and listen to people other than you or their other caregivers.
Preschool can't however, guarantee your child success later in life, replace the importance of your involvement in your child’s life, or be a substitute for simply spending time with your child.
If you plan on enrolling your child, you may be wondering at what age to do so. Many programs do offer a choice. But there is no right age.
Some 2 year olds are able to express themselves verbally better than others, or enjoy new experiences, while some don't, and some may still be uncomfortable with unfamiliar adults, and other children.
It's said that most children tend to benefit from preschool at the age of 3. The reason being simply that children of this age are generally very curious about others, and the world around them. They also tend to have well enough language skills to communicate with their teachers and classmates, and are usually potty trained.
While some parents feel the urge to sign their children up for classes at the age of 2, it may not be the best idea for kids this age, as they cannot properly express themselves, and some groups won't allow children who may not yet potty trained to be left with out a caregiver.
Experts say 2 year old children thrive on one-on-one attention anyhow and that being at home with Mom, Dad, or a caregiver is just fine at this age. Informal playgroups with other parents and children are another good idea for social interaction at this stage.
Above all, go with your child's signs of readiness and respond to his or her needs and the needs of your family. It can be hard when all of your friends and neighbors are making other choices, but if you keep your focus on your own child, s/he’ll benefit and so will you.
Fredericton Area Preschools
Au P'tit Monde de Franco Inc- (Franco I) 715 Priestman Street e-mail apmf@nbnet.nb.ca
Boys & Girls Club of Fredericton- For 3-5 year olds, must be potty trained. Weekday mornings Activities include: circle time, crafts, games, learning activities, social skills, and school readiness. This program is available at Estey's Bridge (2 mornings) and Skyline Acres (4 mornings) facilities. For more information, phone: 472-5112
Bright Beginnings- 527 King Street, Fredericton- 458- 3282
College Hill Daycare Co-op- 850 Montgomery Street, phone: 458-2883 , e-mail chdc@unb.ca
Forest Hill United Church- (Preschool Playgroup) 45 Kimble Court, Wednesdays, 9:45-11:30am, phone: Nicole at (506) 454-3714.
Fredericton Christian Pre-School- 121 McAdam Ave, phone: (506) 451-8947.
Fredericton Early Learning Center 351 Aberdeen St. (506) 452-8894
Fredericton YMCA- 28 Saunders, phone: (506) 462-3000
Inch by Inch Preschool- Gagetown, phone: (506) 488-3167.
Learning Land Preschool- Ormocto, phone: (506) 357-3574.
Little Buds Preschool- 8 Corey, phone: (506) 459-1025.
Little Lights Preschool- an in-home preschool run by a kindergarten teacher- contact Melanie Tingley, phone: (506) 455-2949.
Montessori World Inc- 177 Argyle, phone: (506) 454-5558.
Preschool Center- (4 locations, run by a parent board)- 717 Windsor Street, (506) 458-8982, 125 Clarke Street, (506) 458-8981, 579 Union Street, (506) 455-8985, 31 Carmen Avenue, (506) 458-8981, email: pcs@nb.aibn.com-you can also phone: (506) 458-8981 or preschoolfhcc@nb.aibn.com
Cobblestone Pre-Kademy Preschool Program for 3-4 year olds Located in Cobblestone Estates on the Hanwell Certified NB Teacher Contact Tara Green at 455-1110 or email
16 comments:
the UNB program isn't a preschool it is actually a kindergarten class for 4 & 5 year olds
Thanks Heather, They are listed as a preschool program.
okay well it is actually a kindergarten tho..those are the age groups since i have been in the actually classroom on campus :) just good information for people to know if they are considering the ones you have listed :)
Yes, again, Thank you for the heads up.
Preschool isn't what it used to be. It's not all about the socializing and getting kids used to the idea of going to school...they acually LEARN things now and get themselves ready for all the requirements of kindergarten. In kindergarten they will learn phonics, counting by 2's, 5's and 10's, the difference between even and odd numbers, how do to simple graphs and obtain info from them, basic geometry like the difference between a circl and a sphere and simple math. It's insane! I couldn't believe it when my best friend's mom who is a TA was telling me what they learn! So preschool teaches them the basics so they can learn all those things in kindergarten. I think it's an awful lot to expect from 4 and 5 year olds but there is a major push on litercy in NB and that's why they are cracking down so early. In a way, it's kind of a shame that we have to force our kids to grow up so fast into the school system but it's more sad that our original school system was so lacking that we have had to resort to this extreme. I don't think it'll be too long before we see preschool becomming mandatory. I remember when I was small, kindergarten wasn't mandatory and if you did go, it was finger painting, play time and learning your ABCs.
actually though i went to kindergarten in manitoba and you did learn that stuff there and when we moved to NB when i was in grade 3 it was actually behind from out west!
i do think its good that they learn basics in preschool now i worked ina kindergarten a few years ago and there were so many kids who didn't know the basic stuff it makes it hard when some kids do and some don't i think preschool will eventually be mandatory too..i dont think there is much need for 2 years of preschool tho...4 years old should be good enough for that.
Are you JOKING!!! Graphs! Wow. By the Time austin gets there they will be doing fractions.. eesh
Oh, one thing I am wondering about, and I likely could just look it up.. but how often is preschool? You can probably chose how often they go right? Thanks in advance
Depends on the preschool...some are a couple days a week and some are everyday
Really, so you can't chose?
ive seen a couple preschools that you can send them every day or just 3 days a week.
You can choose whether you want to send them to a preschool that goes everyday or one that goes a few days a week but it doesn't work like daycare where you can say ok well this week I'll send them Monday and Tuesday and next week only Wednesday and so on.
i can't remember which one but they can go 3 days or 5 days but yeah it has to be same every week not whenever you feel like it.. i know i saw one like that..but i think most are only 5 or only 3
Yea, That wouldn't be bad then.
yeah 3 wouldn't be too bad i dont think..and its just mornings anwyasy too when annabelle is 4 i want to put her in the macadam christian one ive heard really great things about the person who runs it
can anyone tell me if the preschool center has a part time schedule, ie, 3 days a week? And, if they do, is it for ages 2 and up? (I'm pretty sure most don't take under 2's part time).
Post a Comment