A preschool is an educational facility that offers early childhood education to prepare young children for the more rigorous learning that takes place in grade school. It is a vital step in the child development process, so parents are rightfully concerned about choosing the perfect establishment. If you have a toddler, below are some of the qualities to look for when choosing a preschool.

Features of a High-Quality Preschool

1. Safe Environment

If you'll be trusting your child to their care, ensure the facilities are clean, safe, and well-monitored. Avoid a facility that seems cluttered or dirty. Stains and spills are a given when you're dealing with young children, but standing puddles of juice or food that's been ground into the carpet are red flags. Also, ensure the place has working fire alarms; evacuation procedures; and secured spaces for storage of medications, cleaning products, and other potentially dangerous materials.

2. Active Curriculum

As any parent of a toddler knows, kids get bored quickly and cannot sit still for long. Therefore, the preschool you choose should offer stimulating ways of learning. The curriculum should provide hands-on experiences that keep children occupied and stimulate their imagination. Storytime, arts and crafts, and music and dance lessons should all play a part in the curriculum, along with sensory materials like play dough, finger paint, and even water or sand.

3. Passionate Staff

When touring the facilities, stop and chat with the teachers. Look for staff who seem passionate about their jobs, enthusiastic about working with children, and patient and kind in their interactions with the kids. Avoid any place where the majority of workers appear reluctant to connect with their charges.

To give your child a head start, send them to Great Beginnings, an early childhood development center with locations in St. Charles and Cottleville, MO. They specialize in early childhood education and offer licensed child care, including summer daycare, after-school care, and before-school programs. Check out photos of their facilities on their website. Call (636) 724-5048 to reach their St. Charles location or (636) 447-4212 for their Cottleville preschool.