How to Choose the Right Preschool for Your Child
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When their family moved to Arizona, it cost 3 times the amount it had cost in their old home in Utah. She met some women who were running a preschool co-op. She was interested, but unsure if the moms would do enough to get her son ready for preschool.
She had her son enrolled in both preschool co-op and traditional preschool.
How Does a Preschool Co-Op Compare to Traditional Preschool?
Comparing the two, co-op was more fun.
There were more hands on activities.
There was more science. Her son was able to learn all the information. It was a more affordable and more fun way to get his preschool education.
What is a Preschool Co-op?
Preschool co-op is made up of a small group of parents with preschool age kids, and the parents each take turns teaching.
They would have each mom teach for a week, hosted at their house, once every six weeks.
They would rotate through the parents that were teaching.
The parents met ahead of time and decided what they were going to do and what supplies they would need.
One person purchased all the supplies (scissors, crayons, pencils) and that box would go from house to house.
As parents, they decided what the program would look like.
Younger or Older Preschoolers?
A four year old preschool needs to be more structured and meets certain standards by the end of the year.
They used a program called “The amazing action alphabet.”
This way, they get everything they need before kindergarten.
For three year olds, you can learn each letter, and parents can just search out something fun to learn that letter.
The amazing action alphabet has a letter that is shaped like an animal. It doesn’t go in abc order, it goes with letters that are most frequently used.
Each picture coordinates with the letter and the letter sounds.
For example, “m” is “m the moose munches”.
There is an action associated. So the kids are seeing-hearing-and doing.
Structure
Structure is a really important part of setting up a preschool co-op.
The same routine needs to happen at each house.
Parents stay to the same schedule.
Lessons learned from Preschool Co-op
Find a good group of people who you have a lot in common with, and the same values and goals and attitudes.
The best group runs things the same way, and has the same goals.
Pros:
Free- save money over traditional preschool
Have fun experiences with your kids and get to know your kids’ friends
Cons:
Takes time- take your turns teaching
Structure: if your child is not able to adapt to different situations, it can be hard.
Sometimes it can be hard to deal with other people’s kids.
Understand your Child's Needs
Make sure you know your child and what they need from preschool in addition to what you need.
Just because one way appeals to you more, it might not be the best fit for your child.
