School How To Choose The Right One For Your Child

By Jyoti Pal

Meanwhile, as you hold on to that thought and weigh your options, below are some tips on what to observe and do:

Dos and don'ts for choosing a school

• Choose a school that complements your child's strengths and weaknesses.
• Find a school that is a good fit for your child's learning style.
• Determine what you as a parent value about education and choose a school that matches your values. Go even a step further and choose a school where the parents have values similar to your own about issues other than education.
• Go by your own gut reaction to a school. How you feel about a school, says a lot.
• Find a school where teachers build relationships with children and their families. While this may be difficult to determine through one school visit, it is possible. Talk to other parents to find out.
• Tell the school about your child as honestly as you can and let the school know if your child has any special needs.
• Look around the school for children’s work displayed on the walls. It is a good indication of what the children are doing and whether its age appropriate.
• Check the school for cleanliness and hygiene. Playschools can be untidy, but never dirty.
• Don’t put your needs ahead of your child's. Keep your child's best interests in mind.
• Don’t choose a school for social positioning. Some parents choose an exclusive private school because of the friends they think their children will make.
• Don’t assume that a private school is automatically better than a public one. There are many fine public schools.

Apart from all above, when looking at the potential playschools, make sure it is close to home because if it’s a long drive, your child will probably fall asleep in the car before you arrive.