Parents’ Expectations from a Kindergarten School

1. Parents’ Expectations from a Kindergarten Schoo Parents’ Expectations from a Kindergarten School l Choosing a kindergarten program can be very overwhelming and daunting, and parents definitely have a lot of expectations. When choosing a Dubai kindergarten school, we recommend taking the following criteria into consideration: •Think about your own philosophy of education. When choosing a kindergarten program for your child, think about what you want for your child? Do you want them to have a hands-on education where they get their hands dirty and really experience things? Or do you want a more structured traditional approach to learning? Do you believe in having your child work alone or work with a group? It is important to learn the philosophy of the school and whether or not it matches up with your own philosophy of education. •Consider the whole school community. When you are looking at kindergarten programs, it can be tempting to be focused on what the teachers are like, but it’s crucial to look at the entire school community, since you’re choosing a school, not a teacher. Does this feel like the right home for your child? They’ll be spending a lot of their day to day life there, so it’s important that the whole school community feels like a good fit for them. •Seek out enthusiastic, inspired teachers. That being said, it’s also important to take a look at the teachers and observe them in action to make sure that they’re the right

2. fit for your child. In general, you want to seek out teachers who are enthusiastic, inspired and encourage your child to think creatively. •Remember that learning should be fun. No matter what your philosophy of education is, keep in mind that especially at this age, learning should be fun. When you are touring the school and the classrooms, make note of whether or not the students seem happy and involved. •Search for a balanced curriculum. Beyond just the basic curriculum, the school you choose for your child should have a strong social and emotional program and help the students communicate and solve problems with each other. You are preparing your child to be a citizen of the world, so it’s crucial that they receive a well-rounded education from a young age. •Pay attention to class size. Smaller class sizes mean that teachers are able to attend to each student’s needs throughout the day, multiple times per day. Students are more likely to stay engaged both socially and academically with smaller class sizes, so this is an important expectation. •Speak to current parents. Parents are a great resource when you are researching and choosing a school for your child. Ask them why they chose the school, as well as what the expectations are for parent involvement. Parents are usually happy to share their experience. •Explore the daily school schedule. Figure out whether or not the school offers before and after school programs, as these can be a great resource and add to your child’s overall educational experience. Also, make sure that the kindergarten program incorporates time for your child to move, explore and play.