What things do parents look for when choosing a kindergarten and prep? All play based with no formal literacy or numeracy, some formal learning through games and hands on activities with the majority of day play based and child’s choice, etc. how important is it that your child can write name, know alphabet, numbers to 10 before starting school? What are your 3 most important features of an early years classroom, kindy environment? Do you think school based kindergartens should do activities with the primary school or be stand alone?
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Both have curriculum they have to meet, so number one is the kindy is accredited with a uni educated teacher.
Kindy should always be play based learning. It's based learning to socialise, look after their stuff, sit on the mat & participate & learn basic alphabet & numbers. My DD is much more ready for school next year & we're only half way through!
For both, I look more for the environment. Both times my child's reaction to the place was the deal maker. I look for how staff and students interact. For prep I also look for whole of school programs that accommodated different abilities and needs. There's another six years at that school so take a holistic view.
I didn't look at how they were being taught. I was more concerned with the kids being happy & engaged in learning & teachers who enjoy their job rather than sullen and there only for the paycheck.
This was my approach & my DS is now year 2 & still enjoys learning.