Discuss Availability To Waitlist Or Enroll
When you tour, well discuss enrollment timelines with you:
Near-term and mid-year enrollment. We enroll year-round when there is a match between a spot and a child If theres a match between your child, your timeline, and an opening, you may receive an enrollment offer during or soon after your tour.
Waitlist for school-year starts and future mid-year openings. If you are planning ahead or looking to enroll for the next school year, you can place your child on our waitlist/applicant pool via the simple online process. Youll receive a link to the waitlist after your tour. The sooner you waitlist, the higher up on the waitlist you will be, so act now.
How Will Preschool Help Prepare My Child For Kindergarten
Along with learning valuable math and literacy skills, preschool also helps prepare your child socially and cognitively. Theyll get to experience structure, independence, and expression in a way that they cant at home. Preschool also helps children develop stronger communication skills and helps them learn how to respond to certain situations. So while your child will take away a tremendous amount of academic skills and knowledge, theyll also be learning valuable life skills that will help them navigate their way through kindergarten and beyond.
Connect With The Best Reno Preschool
Overall, when your child begins preschool ultimately depends on your childs readiness, as well as yours. While it can be a big step to take, preschool has many benefits for your child and for you as well. Along with getting a head start on their education, children will also learn to make friends and develop relationships with others outside of their family. And you get the chance to do other things with your free time. Maybe this is your chance to get back to work or go back to school.
You never have to worry about leaving your child with the caring and compassionate teachers at Little Bear and University Preschools. We promise to give your child the best preschool experience by helping them grow as individuals through our carefully planned and thought out activities and events! Connect with us today to get your little one started on the right path to a good education.
Also Check: Miss Bindergarten Gets Ready For Kindergarten
What Should I Look For During A Visit
Check out the basics: Is the facility clean and safe? Keep your eye out for smoke detectors and first-aid kits. Is there a well-kept outdoor play area? Are there plenty of art materials, age-appropriate toys, and books? Are they in good condition? Is the atmosphere friendly and fun? Student work should be displayed in the hallways and around the classroom, hung at kid-level. I tell parents to pay special attention to the artwork on the walls, says Dr. Barnett. Would you be able to pick out your childs artwork? If all the pictures look the same, then your child will learn to make a bunny just like everyone elses. Thats not really the goal.
The classroom should have a variety of activity areas a reading place, an art station with materials on shelves that kids can reach, a block corner, a puzzle area, and a place for naps. Children should not all be doing the same thing at the same time they should be playing with toys or other kids but still well supervised.
Finally, do you feel comfortable? You want to be confident that once you drop off your child, hell be happy and well taken care of, says Mark Ginsberg, PhD, NAEYC executive director.
Also Check: Math Skills Activities For Preschoolers
Is Your Child Ready To Start Preschool
We understand that enrolling your child in preschool and where to go is a big decision to make. However, before deciding on a preschool to go with, there is one important question to answer. As the age range for children in preschool is from 3-6 years old, is your son or daughter ready for preschool?
Dont Miss: Best Story Books For Kindergarten
Recommended Reading: Tracing Letter S Worksheets For Kindergarten
What Is Head Start
The Head Start preschool program was created to give children, age three to five years old, a free early learning program that prepares them to be ready to succeed in school and later in life. Teaching takes place in a classroom within your community.
Head Start will work with you to make sure your childs specific needs are being met in the classroom and at home. Staff and teachers are trained to help provide families with extra support all at no cost to you, including:
- Getting your child regular medical and dental care
- Supporting better health and family well-being
Early Education For Three
From the beginning of 2020, three-year-old children who are most in need will be able to access 15 hours per week, 600 hours per year of free, quality early childhood education.
Eligible families are contacted directly to be offered the opportunity to enrol their child. Families are not able to enrol unless contacted directly.
For more information, visit Early Education for Three-Year-Olds
Recommended Reading: What Time Do Preschools Start
Transitioning From Preschool To Kindergarten
Families are encouraged to apply for the preschool for their local primary school, which offers the greatest continuity for the transition to kindergarten.
Preschoolers will be automatically enrolled into kindergarten for the following year where they attend preschool at their local Priority Enrolment Area primary school or an Early Childhood School.
Preschoolers not at their local preschool in 2023 may be asked to reapply for kindergarten in 2024. Should they wish to continue at that school their application will be assessed as per the K-12 out of area enrolment criteria. Every effort will be made to ensure a smooth transition from preschool to the students local PEA school for kindergarten.
If My Family Moves Will My Child Stay In Cpp
Since each school district manages its own program, your childs spot in CPP cannot be transferred. If you move to a new school district, you will need to go through the enrollment process again in the new district. Because resources are limited, availability for placement cannot be guaranteed when a family moves from district to district.
Read Also: Sight Words For Preschoolers Printables
For Cps Site Offers: Verify Placement Through A Family Resource Center Or Directly At The School
Typically, within two weeks of receiving your offer you will be asked to bring proof of your familys income, address, and your childs birth certificate to the school where your child has been offered a seat. However, due to COVID-19 and new safety measures, you will be notified via email about next steps to verify. See below for more details about what documents you will provide.
Does Your Child Follow Directions
There usually aren’t super strict rules in preschool, but it is expected that your child can follow simple instructions. Preschoolers are usually asked to clean up, follow snack guidelines, walk in a line with the rest of the class, and do other assorted jobs.
If you sense these requirements might be problematic, you can start giving your preschooler easy tasks they can do on their own such as setting the plates at the dinner table or helping bring in the mail. The job itself isn’t as important as the routine. Pick simple chores that can be completed every day.
Don’t Miss: Reading Comprehension Worksheets For Kindergarten
Figure Out The Requirements
Every preschool has its own preschool enrollment requirements. They may impose an age requirement or ask parents to submit forms like birth certificates.
It is essential that you follow these requirements to the letter. Visit the preschools website and read about the rules for preschool enrollment. If you need to submit documents, you need to get copies of them right away.
Bring Your Child On The First Day Of Schoollet The Learning Begin
Note: If your family is in a temporary living situation, you are not required to present the documents listed above for verification. All schools must immediately enroll students in temporary living situations even if the student lacks health, immunization or school records, proof of guardianship, proof of residency, or any other documentation normally required for school enrollment.
You May Like: Free Online Alphabet Games For Preschoolers
The Benefits Of Preschool
There aremany benefits to your child attending preschool. It helps to provide effective preparation for kindergarten, which can help ease the transitionto attending school. In addition, preschool provides a regular structure foryour child. Many experts agree on the importance of a regular routine forchildren. There is a substantial amount of social interaction in preschool, soattending preschool can go a long way toward improving your childs socialskills. Preschool also helps to teach independence and encourage your child tobegin accomplishing tasks on their own. Most preschools also encourage physicalactivity, which can go a long way toward improving the health of yourchild.
Do Kids Have To Go To Preschool
The short answer to this question is no, kids arent required by law to go to preschool and it isnt mandatory for transferring into kindergarten. However, children who do attend preschool prove to be more prepared for kindergarten and often perform better in class because of this. Preschool is designed to ease your children into a daily routine, help them develop cognitive and social skills, and introduces them to the subjects theyll be learning throughout their education. Preschool is where your child will learn their ABCs and 123s, make their first friends, and basically get a glimpse of all that life has to offer. So, while it isnt required, preschool is highly recommended and encouraged by parents and teachers.
You May Like: Math Games For Kindergarten Free Online
What Age Is Preschool For Your Child
Here are some questions to answer that can help you determine if your child is ready to start preschool.
- Is your child potty trained?
- Can your child zip up their coat/pants/shoes?
- Does he or she know how to follow simple instructions ?
- Can you understand what your child is saying?
- How well does your child react to change and transition?
- How does he or she react to being away from you?
- Does your child interact well with other children?
In the event you decide your child is not quite ready yet, thats okay. It is perfectly fine to enroll your child in the following semester or even next year. The most important thing is that your child is comfortable in their learning environment and will get the most out of their preschool experience.
How Well Do They Interact With Other Kids
Ariel Skelley / Getty Images
As you consider whether or not your child is ready for preschool, think about how much they have socialized with other children as well as whether or not they can interact with other children in appropriate ways.
If your child has been around other kids frequently, such as at church, in playgroups, or at the park, you probably have a pretty good idea of how they respond to other kids their age. Observing how well they play and interact with siblings, neighbors, and cousins can provide some insight, too, in determining preschool readiness.
That said, learning social skills is also a key focus in preschool. So, if your child has not had much interaction with other children, you don’t need to worry. Preschool provides the opportunity for them to get to know and play with other children their age. If you’re worried about their social readiness, though, you can arrange playdates, sign up for activities, or attend community events like storytime at the library or open gym at the community center to give them some practice socializing with peers.
Don’t Miss: Elite Preschool And Learning Center
When To Register Your Interest By
To register your child to start preschool in term 3 of 2023 through the mid-year intake, submit the registration of interest form by 30 September 2022.
As mid-year intake is being implemented for the first time in 2023, you may not receive an enrolment offer until term 1 of 2023.
All government preschools will prioritise enrolment applications for children living within the preschool’s local catchment area.
Whats The Best Time Of Year To Enroll My Child In Preschool
A popular time to enroll children in preschool is spring. Springtime is typically when you start to see school districts publicize Kindergarten enrollment. Preschool enrollment is often associated with springtime because of Kindergarten enrollment. That said, theres no right or wrong time of the year to enroll your child.
If youre thinking about preschool and your child is 3 years old, you should enroll them today.
- Learning to self regulate emotions
Most private early learning centers allow parents to enroll their children at any time of year. But spring is an excellent time to enroll to make sure your child secures their preschool spot.
Recommended Reading: Social Studies Activities For Kindergarten
Best Age To Start Preschool
Unlike other levels of education, the law does not require children to attend preschool. So technically, you do not have to enroll your child in school until they reach the age of five.
You can learn more about this topic by visiting Is Preschool Required? .
This freedom raises many questions for parents and guardians who want their children to attend preschool. The most popular among them is when to enroll their child in preschool.
In truth, the answer is that it depends. Unfortunately, there is no magical number for when you should register your child for preschool, as every child develops at a different pace. Some children are ready for preschool by age three. Other three-year-old children still have to mature a little more before attending preschool. Sometimes, a child may never develop in time for preschool. So instead, they enroll straight into kindergarten.
So ultimately, the best age to start preschool is when you think your child is ready.
If you need a bit of help in determining whether or not your child is ready for preschool, ask yourself the following questions:
- Is your child potty-trained?
- Does your child follow instructions?
- Can your child talk well?
- Does your child interact well with others?
- Can your child be away from you?
If you answered yes to all of the questions above, your child should be ready for preschool. This transition is never easy for a child, but they eventually get accustomed to it with time.
How Early is Too Early for Preschool?
Register Your Interest To Enrol
Complete a preschool registration of interest form . We recommend using your computer to fill in the form, unless your mobile has Adobe Acrobat or similar software. You can also collect this form from your nearest preschool.
Once youve completed the form, email it to your preferred preschools or drop it off to them. Find your preschool’s contact details.
You can apply to more than 1 preschool. You should always apply at your local preschool in case your application to non-local preschools is not successful.
Recommended Reading: Kindergarten Get To Know You Games
What Is The Best Age To Enroll My Child In Preschool
Between the ages of 2 and 3 is the best time to enroll your child in preschool. Most children in a preschool classroom are age 3. The year before Kindergarten, when a child is 4, they attend Pre K. All the learning at this early stage of life is preparation for Kindergarten, which students attend when they are 5 years old. All kindergarten classrooms in our area require that students be 5 years old by the first day of September to enroll in Kindergarten.
We recommend touring and enrolling your child for preschool between the time they turn 2 and 3. This way, you can see exactly where your child will be spending their time. Youll meet the employees and see what toys, books, and other learning materials your child will have access to at preschool. You might even meet a few other preschool families.
Make a list of the preschools you are interested in visiting. Schedule your tours. Heres a list of things to look for in a good preschool.
What Documents Do I Need To Enrol
You will need to fill out an enrolment form, which the early learning service or khanga reo will give to you.
Different early learning services and khanga reo will need different documents for enrolment, so check with yours. You might need to show them:
- proof of your child’s age and citizenship – birth certificate, passport, citizenship certificate or NZ residency document
- your child’s immunisation certificate
- medical information about your child such as allergies, medication and existing medical conditions
- legal documents such as access or custody agreements
- contact information for you during the day, and an emergency backup in case they can’t reach you
- your child’s doctor’s name and contact information.
When you have enrolled your child, the early learning service or khanga reo will send your child’s information to the Ministry of Education. The Ministry will then assign your child a National Student Number .
Read more about National Student Numbers on the ELI Homepage.
Don’t Miss: Preschools In Queen Creek Az
Enroll Your Child In Pre
You can enroll online or call your district to enroll. In some cases, you can make an appointment to enroll in-person.
Note: Every school district has a different process for enrollment. If you get overwhelmed, dont worry. Theres a dedicated call center for helping you understand how it all works.
Questions? Need help with your enrollment application? Call or text 713-589-8767.
Spend Some Time There
Most early learning services and khanga reo will encourage you to bring your child along for a few visits leading up to their official start date to help them get used to being there and getting to know the staff and other children.
When your child starts spend some time at the early learning service or khanga reo with them while they are settling in.
If your child is starting at an early learning service or khanga reo because you are going back to work factor this settling in time into your work plans.
Say hello to other parents and children, and use the children’s names if you can. This helps your child feel like they belong.
Read Also: Easy Stem Activities For Kindergarten