Getting ready for preschool

In selecting the right preschool for your child – you should:

• Choose the preschool that you believe will work best for your child and for your family.
• Consider how you will manage the practical aspects of your new routine (dropping and collecting).
• Visit the service with your child and get a feel for the place and the people.
• Find out about the type of curriculum the service offers and the opportunities it will provide for your child’s learning.
• Book your place with the preschool provider.
• Give all the necessary information to the manager that will help the service welcome and work with your child.
• Encourage your child to do things for themselves at home – managing buttons on clothing, using the bathroom, opening a lunch box, changing shoes/boots.
• Talk about pre-school with your child, listen to their concerns and share their excitement and anticipation.

Know about the Free Pre-School Year / ECCE Scheme

The Government introduced a new programme to provide for a free Pre-School Year in Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) from January 2010.

This programme provides for 15 hours per week early learning, over 38 weeks, for every child in the year before they start primary school. Almost all preschool services (including playgroups, Montessori, day care) in community and private settings offer this ECCE programme to parents for their children.

This investment by the Government in early childhood recognises the importance of a good start in life and acknowledges the child’s right to learning opportunities outside the home.