How to Choose School Kindergarten Good for Your Child

by Dr Irene Leow Research has shown that the years of pre-school is the most critical years of child development and learning process, parents now have realized the importance of sending their small children to pre-school. In Malaysia, the type of pre-school you choose will depend on your child's age. Children under the age of four years should be sent to the child care center, which is registered under the Ministry of National Unity and Social Development. Children between the ages of four to six years are to be sent to the kindergarten, which is registered under the Ministry of Education. Is a priority you send your children to pre-school has been registered under any of the relevant authorities. Thus, you can feel calm because they will at least follow the prescribed minimum standards. If you are in doubt, you can ask them to show their permits related. Small children are usually different from the learning of children, so the pre-school should not be run like small schools, where children must be sitting at a desk all day. Good characteristics for a child care center include: Physical environmental conditions Curriculum and program The child Staff The involvement of parents Physical Environment Care center should look attractive from the outside. The rooms should be fun, cheerful and good ventilation, with the availability of as many windows open to allow entry of fresh air and sunlight into. You should check the bathrooms, kitchen, dining room and game room, whether it is clean or not. Game rooms should be of interest to children, have special furniture for children, and the racks are low enough to reach the children. Toys, etc. should be seen and taken by all children. The work of their hands should be displayed with high interest in accordance with their eyes. Room should be arranged into learning centers or areas of activity, where the goods are grouped by function. It also should include all the corners of: Block game Game manipulation Quiet activities / reading Artistic / creative activities Acting Science activities Music

In these learning centers, a variety of goods and activities should be provided, so the child can freely choose which activities they want, because as we know, the different activities that will

appeal to children different. Toys and other objects must be sufficient and safe for children. Dangerous things like sharp objects must be kept out of the reach of children. In addition, it should also be enough space for children to move freely, because children usually learn quickly through the exploration of active objects in their environment. The external environment is also equally important. It must be fenced, secure and calm, so that children can play outside at least for a certain period of time each day. The environment must be neat and clean and the grass has been cut. If there are several types of trees and shrubs are planted, it will not only provide shade but can also help the children learn about the environment. It should be enough space for a variety of games on the proper care, which provides opportunities for children to practice their physical skills.Opportunity to play with sand and water should also be there, because it provides a good learning experience. Curriculum and Program It should be suitable to the development of mind. All such activities shall be placed at appropriate levels for the age of a child, and also to suit the taste and the ability of the child. The children should look happy and calm. They should be able to deal with adults and staff with confidence, and not be afraid to ask for help. Employees also must look good, be careful, and interested in anything done by the children. They must speak clearly and correctly, in a moderate tone of voice and encourage children to express themselves freely. When you observe the interaction between the staff and children, you should be able to feel that the staff is actively involved with the child, and they are happy with a close, warm and responsive to the child. They must demonstrate respect for all children, and accept each child as their own self. They must support the learning with the guidance and encouragement, rather than through correction. They must also acknowledge the efforts of each child, so they will feel happy there themselves. You also need to ask the nursery director or principal in respect of the following personnel information: Ratio for children under the age of three years, there should be a caregiver for every five children, while for children aged between three and four years, there should be a nanny for every ten children. Good ratio would allow greater individual attention and small group size will allow a better interaction between adults and children. Qualifications and experience of an experienced staff, who had trained with knowledge of early education for children and development of children is better to provide a positive learning experience for your children. Replacement rate of staff child usually will close with their caregivers, and will feel lost and unsafe when there are high rates of succession. High staff turnover also create a sense of interaction between children and adults are low because children need a strong relationship of trust before the interaction can develop. Parent Involvement You also need to ask what role you play in pre-school experience of your children. Does your involvement is welcome? Are you allowed to help your child get used to the glare, or do you have

to leave it even during his first day there? What is the nursery policy on matters of discipline? What there will be a discussion session between the nursery staff and parents on the progress of their children from time to time? As parents, you become more familiar with your child, and you have the power to engage in preschool experience of your child. Therefore, you should feel your presence is welcome. If the attention you give the impression that that is where your children will be grown in full, then you've hit the right pre-school. Dr Irene Leow is a principal operator and a child-care center Seri Rose in One Ampang Avenue, Jalan Ampang Utama 2/1, 68000 Ampang. Any questions, call 03-4256 6665 or 03-4252 8548.