Characteristics Of A Good Preschool

By Author: Nalanda Learning
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Preschool education has been identified as a foundation for successful education and even adult success. However, not all preschools, even the most expensive ones, are created equal. A good preschool should have the following characteristics and features:

Clean and secure location
This is a must-have for preschools. We're talking about children under the age of six who will be attending classes on a regular basis. It is critical that they feel safe even on the way to school. There should be no health and safety hazards anywhere near the school. A good preschool should not only look after a child's mental well-being, but also his or her physical well-being. Children must be able to associate positive emotions and images with school.

Complete and safe facilities
Setting up a room will not suffice if we want high-quality public preschools. There are basic facilities that children require around the clock, as well as facilities that are required to keep the school safe and kid-friendly. Simply put, a preschool must have a toilet room, a sanitary eating area, a trash area, a clinic or medicine cabinet, non-slip ...
... flooring, and cabinets for toys and other materials. Sharp edges are not permitted on furniture or equipment. Electric outlets must be covered, and anything that could harm children should be kept out of their reach and sight.

Feel-good atmosphere
A preschool should have a welcoming atmosphere for young children. It should not appear tedious, rigorous, or threatening. Classrooms should be properly ventilated and lit. Children should be exposed to positive and colorful images and designs. Teachers and staff should be helpful, friendly, and accommodating. Children must see that they will have fun in class and that school is a place where they can both play and learn.

Trained and caring teachers
It is not easy to care for young children, let alone teach them. A serious investment in preschool education must be accompanied by a willingness to invest in teacher education or re-education. If children are taught incorrect information in preschool, the program's entire purpose is defeated. Preschool teachers must be able to teach the alphabet and counting, read stories and sing songs, motivate children through games, and manage a group of young children. They must be nurturing and caring, and they must never use coercion or physical punishment.

Low teacher-student ratio
Studies on the effects of preschool education on academic and life success all agree on its effectiveness. The goal of preschool education cannot be met if it is of poor quality, and one factor in quality is the teacher-student ratio. One teacher should ideally only be responsible for seven to ten students. Each class has a maximum of twenty students. Having teacher aides or assistants on hand can also help with managing a large class. Young students require a great deal of supervision and personal interaction. If the government is serious about establishing public preschools, the current teacher-to-student ratio in public elementary schools should not be tolerated in preschool.

Holistic approach and curriculum
A preschool must not only intellectually prepare a child for entry into a large school. It must also assist children in developing their other characteristics. Academic subjects cannot be overemphasized in preschool. It must also address the development of social skills in order to prepare children for larger groups or classes. Good qualities and values, such as self-confidence and patriotism, can be introduced as early as preschool. Creativity and self-expression should also be prioritized in the curriculum to keep students motivated and interested in their studies.

Some structure or routine
A preschool differs from a daycare center in that it has a more defined structure. A good preschool follows an activity schedule that includes everything from writing lessons to play time to nap time. It also necessitates regular attendance; it is not simply babysitting. Routine chores may be assigned in class to instill in children a sense of capability and responsibility. These can be as simple as assisting with material distribution or cleaning up the room. The structured nature of a preschool ensures that the children are not wasting time but are learning every day.

Variety of Instructional Materials
Children require a lot of stimulation, and their intellectual stimulation is heavily reliant on sensory stimulation. A good preschool should have a diverse set of instructional aids. Among these are photographs, storybooks, recorded songs, and models or realia. Children are also tactile learners. Puzzles and pegboards help children develop the fine motor skills and hand-eye coordination required for writing and other tasks. Buttons and marbles are less expensive options for teaching counting. The goal is for children to have fun while they learn.

Play area and materials
It is only natural for children to play. As a result, there should be a designated area or time for play. Blocks, in addition to the usual toys, should be available. These aid in the development of spatial and problem-solving abilities, as well as creativity. Art can also be used as a form of play. Paper, crayons, and clay should never run out at school. The goal is for the kids to learn while having fun.

Physical activity
You heard correctly! A good preschool does not fear getting physical. Every day, children must be able to move around and play, whether indoors or outdoors. This allows them to hone their motor and other physical abilities.

Language-sensitive, language-rich
Because children will learn more about language—and possibly a new one—in preschool, they must be exposed to it as much as possible. Whether the new language is Hindi or English, materials should be widely available. Posters on the walls, labeled objects, and storybooks should all be required in the classroom. The preschool, on the other hand, must be sensitive to the community's mother tongue. Many countries provide multilingual education, and preschools must take care not to prohibit it.

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