Finding the right environment for your child’s early years learning is vital. Here are some pointers for choosing a setting that works for the whole family
Read posts on any parent forum and it doesn’t take long to realise that many families agonise about the right early years setting. This, after all, is the foundation stone for your child’s whole approach to learning. But it’s about way more than that. Friendships, fun, outdoor play, sociable mealtimes and confidence building all come into the equation. Here are six pointers to help you make your choice.
Location, location
Never let the perfect be the enemy of the good. However glowing the reports about the place miles away, you want a setting that is easy to get to – be it from home or work – because long journeys and small children don’t mix. Think long and hard about logistics because you need to schedule drop-offs and pick-ups around your family life without exhausting everyone. Also, you don’t want a young and impressionable mind to associate the learning adventure with boring long days in traffic jams.
Staying local brings distinct benefits, especially in the earliest years of education, as your child will have friends close by for play dates and parties, while you acquire a support group of parents. The other thing to factor in is the likelihood that some friends made here may head on up to the next place together – a confidence-building bunch of buddies for the next phase.
Planning ahead
Local choices are best, but sometimes it pays to make sacrifices for long-term gains. If there’s a place associated with a primary setting you are keen on it may be worth going further afield – especially useful if the school is oversubscribed and gives preference to the enrolled early learners. Another plus is that the continuity this brings may greatly reduce anxiety all round when it comes to moving up to Reception.
Many schools with nurseries/preschools work very carefully to make this transition seamless, with familiarisation visits, shared teaching and support staff and ‘getting to know you’ sessions. This all helps when it comes to children’s sense of belonging. Another benefit is that settings attached to schools often have much better facilities – from swimming pools to specialist teaching provision.
Learning approach
This stage of education is about learning plus fun – both are critical. All early years environments are highly regulated, so you will find inspection reports provide background on the essentials. Word-of-mouth perspectives and parent forums provide insider information that can be invaluable in gauging how the setting is actually working – especially when it comes to supporting pupils and parents.
Nothing replaces a first-hand perspective, so take advantage of open days and show-rounds. Visit more than once if you can because ideally you want to see how things run on a normal day. This includes children’s interactions with staff and each other. Also consider the adult to child ratio and ask about staff qualifications.
It’s good to know if the setting follows specific approaches (e.g., Montessori, Steiner). Do ask how both group and individual learning and exploratory play are facilitated. As they grow, good early years education builds skills in an age-appropriate way, so find out about the approach to literacy and maths, and the extras. From art and music to drama and even foreign languages, a lively and varied schedule is a good indication of a thoughtful approach to stimulating children’s interests.
Spaces and places
Access to fresh air and freedom to run around can be as critical as learning indoors. This, after all, is a vital part of every child’s development and wellbeing. See if the outside spaces – and ease of access and equipment provided – match your expectations. If the regular schedule includes adventures in green places beyond the school gates or there’s a forest school on or close to site, that’s a huge gold star.
Drill down to daily routines around food (and typical menus) to ensure both appetising and sociable meals. In particular, do children sit round a table together, as that’s a really important life lesson? Also consider the approach to quiet time. Even the sunniest natured child needs a space to relax, reflect and recover if they are upset or out of sorts. Providing comfort and support on a child’s worst days is as important as delivering fun and stimulating activities on their best.
Good vibes
Does this setting offer the option of early drop offs and later pick-ups or is it rigid on hours? What about flexibility if your child needs to switch times or change days in future? While it’s vital to stick to a routine as far as possible to help your child settle, life doesn’t always go to plan. Look for a setting that is willing to try and work with you if there’s a mishap, unexpected event or change in family circumstances.
Don’t forget to discreetly size up the other parents to check for common ground. While this may seem a lesser consideration than your child’s welfare, it matters a lot. You are going to spend a lot of time here, and school gate dramas take a heavy toll. Also, let’s face it, no one wants to feel like the lone dolphin parent in a place packed with tiger moms (or vice versa).
Gut instinct
Glowing reports, and word-of-mouth recommendations count, but should never overrule your gut instinct. Even if that nursery or preschool is officially top of the class, it’s not going to cut it if you don’t feel a rapport with its staff or agree with its approach.
Also consider if the superstar setting is the right place, but at the wrong time. Children develop at different rates and sometimes a smaller or more relaxed starting point can be the springboard to a successful placement a few months down the line. Remember that the right early years setting is always the one that delivers a happy and fulfilled child at the end of the day – and gives you confidence to wave them off at the start without a worry.
For further advice, visit: familyandchildcaretrust.org
Further reading: Little Prodigies on preparing your child for nursery
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