70 | AUGUST 2019 | L<hese may not be top of mind when choosing
a pre-primary for your little one, but they will
become important considerations with time.
Proximity
The first decision is whether to place
your child in a school near home or
where you work. Small children suffer
from many illnesses and most schools
want a sick child to go home as soon
as possible. Choose a school that’s
close enough for someone to fetch
your child promptly if she falls ill. A sick
child just wants the comfort of home.Opening hours
Choose a school where the hours suit
your schedule. If the school closes at
5.30pm, you must be able to reach it
with time to spare − regardless of the
traffic. Does the school open early
enough for you to get to work?Visits
There are so many places of care to
choose from at the moment that you
may be bewildered by the choice. Take
time to visit the school unannounced.
Check the security first − it shouldn’t be
possible for you to just drive in. Are there
cameras at the door and an entrance
procedure? Next, how are you greeted
and dealt with by the receptionist? This
should be efficient, friendly and with an
offer to show you the school, either then
or by appointment. An appointment
doesn’t mean there’s anything to hide;
good schools have to allocate time and
staff to deal with parents effectively.
Is the reception clutter
free and efficiently run? Are
the admittance forms neatly
printed and requesting sufficient
background detail on your child?C
hoosing a school for your
little one shouldn’t be a
last-minute decision. Start
looking at least three months
before you need to enter your child, if
you are looking to place a baby. If you
want your child to join a good school
when she turns three, you should start
looking at birth − the top pre-primary
schools have waiting lists several
years long. Once you’ve decided
on the type of education you want
your child to have, Barbara Eaton,
academic development coordinator
at ADvTECH pre-primary schools says
you should consider the following.9
THINGS TO CONSIDER
WHEN CHOOSING A
Environment
When you look around, watch the
children. Under-fives should be playing
freely and busily with clean, unbroken
toys that are well displayed to enable
choice, or engaged in activities that
are stimulating creativity or enhancing
number or literacy skills. There should
be no worksheets or cloned artwork. Is
the classroom clean and attractive, with
good natural light and ventilation? Is
there sufficient space for the children?
Crowded rooms lead to fights and
stress. Does the teacher (who should
be SACE registered) have an assistant
to manage bathroom visits, messes
and support play? Is there evidence of
an overall theme that the children are
investigating? Are there good quality
books in a comfy spot for reading?
Are the carpets and floors clean?