Hey mamas! It is already upon us, fall, school year, lunches, back packs, schedules, car pooling….I digress. If you are like me and have a young kiddo you are panicking! Should he be in school full time?!?! Am I screwing him up long term by not letting him socialize? Would he nap there? Eat there? Would he be super sad and miss us, and is that actually more detrimental to him? How do you decide what is right for your lo?
Ask Friends. Where do their kids go? Do they like it? What was important to them when choosing. Why do their kids go? Do they have to work? Did they want their children to have more of a routine or more socializing time? What are the pros and the cons for their schools?
What is important to you. Proximity. Prestige. Cost. The number of kids. The number of teachers. Lessons. Toys. Time playing. Time learning.
Become familiar with the different types of schools. There are DOZENS! Accredited, Non-accredited, Licensed, In-home, Montessori, Waldorf, Curriculum based, Play based, Sensory based, Faith-based, Child centered, Child led, Co-operative, others, and Regular day care.
Visit. Get a list and go tour! Check them out, meet the employees and teachers. How do you feel, are you comfortable. Does it seem welcoming? How do they handle discipline? Walk around and visit the play and learning areas. Check out the playground (but be invited in please, do not creep by the fence and then get me into trouble, “well, Kendra told me to look at playgrounds”). Observe out the nap area, be real – could your kid sleep there? Check out the bathrooms, the kitchen area. Watch the kiddos, do they seem happy. Take notes and check out the next one.
