What to Look For in a Quality Program
Placing your child in a pre-kindergarten program is a big decision for you and your child. It is also an exciting opportunity to think about who your child is and what you want for your child. Choosing a good pre-kindergarten program for your child starts with knowing what to look for:
Space:
- Is the room your child will play in, inviting, and appealing?
- Is the space well lighted and well ventilated?
- Is there child-sized furniture and are the bathrooms accessible to all children?
- Is there a special place for your child to keep his or her personal belongings?
- Is there a place to eat and to take a rest?
- Are there special interest areas with age-appropriate materials like blocks, books, art and music materials, table toys and props for dramatic play?
- Is there a safe out of doors play space that is easily accessible for all children?
The Program:
The Universal Pre-Kindergarten program should provide stimulating activities in a responsive caring environment. It should include:
- Age-appropriate activities that encourage play and exploration
- Opportunities to make individual choices
- Opportunities to work in groups of different sizes with different children
- Opportunities for active, imaginative play and periods of rest
- Opportunities to explore the indoor and outdoor environment
A quality pre-kindergarten program should be responsive to the families, the culture and the community of each child.
If you are interested in enrolling your child in a Universal Pre-K program but are unsure of what district you live in call the Board of Education zoning department at (718) 935-3555.
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