How to Choose the Best Preschool or Kindergarten

Choosing a preschool or kindergarten for your child can be a very exciting time, but it’s also quite daunting. Your child is about to embark on a new chapter in their lives full of new experiences that will build upon their knowledge of the world around them. Because of this, it’s natural for this transition to feel a little overwhelming. So, as you search for the very best preschool or kindergarten possible for your child, we recommend taking time to consider the following:

Location

One of the main factors involved in selecting a preschool or kindergarten is the location. You may want to consider preschool and kindergarten options close to your home or the workplace of the person who will drive your child to and from your chosen school. Choosing a good location will make your everyday life easier and lessen the time your child spends travelling.

Learning Environment

Any preschool or kindergarten campus must be designed to facilitate learning without being overstimulating. Your campus of choice should also include a variety of classroom spaces where children can enjoy learning many topics, including science, maths, music, and cooking, in a hands-on way. 

Additionally, early learners need access to outdoor areas and green spaces to explore the natural world. It is essential for children growing up in a city environment to have access to these settings for a well-rounded early education.

 preschool-aged children play in the garden with their friends.

Price

Another important part of your preschool or kindergarten search is finding out the cost of education at any school of interest. You want to make sure that any schools you are considering are high-quality and fit within your price range. You may also want to find out if schools you are interested in offer any special discounts, such as a sibling discount for children within the same family who enroll at the same school.

Future Opportunities

Once you have a list of preschools and kindergartens to choose from that are conveniently located and within your budget, you will want to start comparing the education quality and opportunities each school will offer for your child. Does each school offer both preschool and kindergarten programmes? If they’re preschool-only then find out which kindergarten students typically move on to. 

Furthermore, it can be good to ask which primary and secondary schools their students typically go on to attend. Some preschool and kindergarten programmes will have specific schools that they are partnered with. While others may only provide early learning programmes so you can choose to transition to a primary school of your choice afterwards. See what resources each school offers to support your child’s move to their next stage of learning.

Curriculum and Approach to Education

Early years students need a well-rounded education that includes plenty of hands-on, exploratory activities and opportunities to develop social skills. Check that the schools you are considering offer courses based on a respected curriculum for early learners that incorporates activities, creative development and academic betterment. 

You should consider if the curriculum used at the school will match your child’s learning style and how you’d like your child to be educated. This is also the point at which you should discuss any specific learning needs that your child may have to ensure the school can cater to them. 

A group of kindergarten students having fun learning with their teacher.

Great People

In any work, play, or learning environment, great people can make or break your experience. Ensure that any school you consider has well-trained, knowledgeable staff who will make your child’s education and wellbeing their top priority. 

Take time during your campus visits to notice whether the people you meet seem to enjoy their work and have a positive attitude towards working with children. These people include administrators who run the school and the people who will directly interact with your child, such as teachers and teaching assistants. A knowledgeable, enthusiastic teaching team can inspire young students and foster a lifelong passion for learning.

Consider Raintree International School

Now you know what to look for, you can confidently choose a preschool or kindergarten in Bangkok that is the perfect fit for your family. 

We welcome you to consider Raintree International School in the heart of Bangkok. Our passionate team is dedicated to providing the highest quality learning experiences for students. With an impressive curriculum in line with the Reggio Emilia approach and carefully designed facilities that create ideal indoor and outdoor learning environments, Raintree is a fantastic place for any child to begin their learning journey.