Kindergarten has long been seen as the essential first step children must take into the educational world but VPK has emerged as another great tool to help ensure children are ready to begin school. Therefore, it is important that parents know what VPK is and how to choose the right VPK program.
What is VPK?
Voluntary Prekindergarten is a free (in Florida) program which children (aged four) may be involved in before entering kindergarten. There are many great VPK programs available which essentially develop children’s interest in learning while helping them to evolve socially and physically. It essentially prepares children for the educational environment which they will be a part of for the foreseeable future.
How to Choose a VPK Program for Your Child
The benefits of VPK are clear but as it’s your child, many parents will want to make sure that they are getting the best services. There are a few things which parents can do to ensure they are choosing the VPK suited to their child.
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Do Some Site Visits
A good way of seeing whether a VPK program is suited for your child is to do tour of the various preschools in your area which offer VPK. The morning is the best time to do visits as this is when the programs will be the busiest and when most of the learning takes place. By visiting various programs, you can compare the strengths and weaknesses of things such as location, facilities, teaching staff, teacher to child ratio, etc. and decide which VPKs are best suited to your family’s needs.
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Take Your Child With (If Possible)
A good VPK will suit the needs of the entire family but most importantly, it will suit the needs of your child. A good way to gauge whether a specific VPK program is suited for your child is to see what they think of the facility you are touring. If possible, take them with you so you can see if they like the facility, teachers, etc this also prepare them for the separation anxiety that might come when it is time to start VPK.
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Be a Learner Yourself
Take the opportunity to research the VPKs which you are considering – ask questions about the institution. Things to think about are what activities are done daily (such as science, pre-math, social skills, etc.). Is the program accredited? What are the times like? What is the teacher to student ratio? What is their educational philosophy?
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Be an Observer
Another good way identifying a good VPK is to just take a good look at the program. Observe whether or not the children in the program have a good relationship with educators. What are their interactions like? Are they happy? A good VPK should be a cheerful place.
There are many first class VPK programs available in South Florida which meet all of the basics such as accreditation, qualified staff and good facilities but a great VPK program will also suit the needs of the family. If you are looking to enroll your child in a VPK program then consider enrolling them at Parkland Children’s Academy – our exciting VPK program offers age-appropriate learning and develops pertinent skills for your child to flourish in the learning environment. Give us a call to find out more 954-688-5877.