Page 20 - Education Supplement_Issue 1_2023

OPINION PIECE

CHOOSING A PRESCHOOL –
CHOOSING A PRESCHOOL –

What Should you Consider?

By Nicola Killops

t’s very different being a child in today’s This is not a criticism. I completely understand why. It’s a dog-eat-dog world out there,
world. And it’s certainly very different being and survival of the fittest is the name of the game. Parents want their children to be
Ia parent. For me, growing up involved given every opportunity to thrive.
plenty of outside time, fantasy play, and
stories. And I am not one of those tut-tutting The Search
this generation, reflecting nostalgically on the Many people have lost faith in the South African School system. In the past, private
‘good old days’ here. It’s just an observation. schools were reserved for the wealthy and the elite. Nowadays, private schools are filled
Times change, and we evolve with them. I also with children from middle-class families who work extra hard and sacrifice everything to
grew up when seat belts weren’t compulsory, ensure their children don’t miss the boat. As a result, searching for the perfect preschool
and there was a smoking section in the is as much a priority as choosing a high school or university. And it makes sense. Matric
maternity ward. So it certainly wasn’t perfect. is a journey, not a destination. And the journey starts very early on when children start
Grade 000.
However, one thing that has shifted
significantly is the push to ensure academic So with all this in mind, what should you be looking for? Of course, there is a preschool
excellence from day one. I spoke about this on every street corner, and most schools have a preschool department that feeds into
in an earlier article on page six. With the their primary school. But when you lovingly gaze at your slumbering toddler and worry
recent release of matric results, we can see about their future prospects, how can you be sure you are making the right choice?
how significant that final mark is. And parents
are doing everything they can to get their All schools promise the same thing and more than likely intend to deliver. For example,
children as close to those results as possible they promise a nurturing environment, learning through play, and focus on excellence –
from day one. but what do those things look like at the preschool level?

Education | February 2023 | 18