At the end of every year, parents of budding pre-schoolers have hopefully already either chosen a school or are in the process of making a shortlist. Whether it be a new experience for first time pre-schoolers or junior learners packing their bags for boarding school, the pressure is on. As a parent of two young girls, (age 9 and 3.5 months) and having moved four provinces in seven years, and double the amount of schools, I have had plenty of experience in choosing schools for my children! Here are a few points to consider when making this important decision.

•  Any parent putting their first child into pre-school is a bundle of nerves. By now you have narrowed your list down to a few top schoolsthat LOOK good. But don’t be fooled by the first impression of a school. Some schools are clean, but don’t have the best buildings or newest carpets, however they might have the most amazing care givers.
• Location and cost are the next two major decisions to make. Is the school on your way to work or close to home? Will traffic be a major factor? It may be better to put your child in a school that is a little out of your way if you know that you will have absolute peace of mind. My second daughter was in a school that was highly recommended and only two blocks away from where we lived. I couldn’t have been happier. One day I fetched her earlier than normal – let’s just say the school wasn’t at all what I expected; now she is in a school out of town and we all love it!
• Most Pre-schools are privately owned schools so they do not follow any zoning rules. It is important to make sure that you are on a waiting list– put your name on as many waiting lists as you can (especially in the major cities) – the earlier the better.  When an opening comes up, you can ask them to reserve the space for a few days while you make your final decision.
• Pre-schools are generally more expensive than your other levels of education because of care taker child ratio, hours, meals and activities. If cost is a deciding factor, find out if the fees are payable over 10, 11 or 12 months. Ask whether discounts apply when making lump sum payments or if you have more than one child in the school.
• Most pre-schools provide meals and at least one cooked hot meal. Find out if this is included in the fees. If you want your kids to participate in extra murals you will have to pay extra for these.
• Some schools don’t charge registration fees and others might waiver their enrolment fee.
• Some schools may insist on signing a contract right away. The normal contract period for a pre-school is a term or at minimum a calendar month.
• As many households will probably have two working parents, school times and holidays are a major factor when choosing a pre-school. Some pre-schools may offer holiday programmes and offer holiday care at an extra cost, while other schools only close on public holidays and over Christmas. Consider opening and closing times to fit around traffic in the early morning and late afternoons.
• Safety is a huge consideration. Find out what security features they have in place. Ask what their collection procedures are when a parent or other caregiver collects their child from school. If your child is injured or sick is there a qualified nurse or someone on site that is qualified in first aid?
• Make an appointment with the principal. Speak to the teachers and interact with the kids if you have a chance. Ask other parents what they think of the school, but always remember that a school that works for me may not work for you. If you get negative feedback ask more questions – maybe the parent you are speaking to has a personality clash with the accounts lady!

Choosing the right preschool can seem like a daunting process, but a lot of it is knowing what you want and what is best for your child. Generally geared at kids ages three and four, some preschools accept children as young as two. Preschool is the first step to your child's academic journey and offers learning experiences that lay the foundation for later success in school.
Where do you start? At www.schoolguide.co.za of course! Good luck!