There is, as I’m sure most of us would attest, something of a whirlwind involved in seeking out the ideal location for your little one’s first foray into educational settings, particularly if one is fortunate enough to reside in one of Melbourne’s rapidly growing suburban fringes. While one certainly wants it to feel like the second home it hopefully will become, one also understands that these early years set the precedent for everything that is to come.
Studies carried out by the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare have shown that taking up quality early childhood learning is a huge indicator of success, as it helps kids gain important mental and social skills that they will always need.
With so many different options hidden away in our streets, it’s clear there needs to be a plan to narrow this down. This guide will try and take the guesswork out of the process with clear steps on how to find a space in which your little one will flourish.
Step 1: Consider Your Child’s Developmental Needs
Every kid is a little world of their own, huh? Well, before you start on your journey through buildings, it may be worth looking at your toddler first. Some kids do well in a fast-paced, playful approach with lots to get their hands dirty with, while some may need something a bit more formalized, even before primary school.
Understanding Learning Styles and Interests
Most modern centres within Victoria are also big on providing play-based education. Under this, it is not just “having a go” at a toy that is important, but rather an approach for problem-solving and creative thinking. If your child is glued to building blocks or drawing, then it is important for you that the centre offers such activities as well.
Observing Social and Emotional Readiness
Socialisation can be the biggest challenge and the biggest gain. Are they prepared to share their space with twenty other small humans? According to the Productivity Commission, early childhood services are very useful in assisting with emotional intelligence. Assessing the manner in which the service center manages ‘big feelings’ can in itself give some insight into whether the service is the right fit for your child’s current emotional state.
Step 2: Evaluate the Curriculum and Learning Environment
When you are visiting a potential center, take a glance around at what is actually on the walls and in the yard. It should be a good mix of reading, art, and perhaps a little bit of STEM ed, but not too intense because it is a classroom, and also not too casual because, after all, the work is there.
Curriculum Focus Areas
Nature play has somehow managed to become a big talking point of late, and for good reason. According to some insight from Busy Bees, playing outdoors enhances the level of physical coordination children benefit from, developing a sense of responsibility for the world around them.
In fact, research carried out by ScienceDirect indicates that playing outside is associated with improved attention spans and social health benefits for children. If a centre fails to incorporate this, then they may indeed be missing a trick.
Facilities and Outdoor Spaces
Is this space outside just a piece of plastic grass, or is it a really inviting space with sand, water, and plants too? What you want to see are “loose parts” where kids can exercise their imagination. When you are at the playground, also check the condition of the equipment and whether it is designed for running around and quiet reflective play too.
Step 3: Check Safeguarding and Staff Qualifications
As a parent, safety is the one thing that beats all others. It is the no-compromise issue. So, as you walk and talk to the manager, don’t be embarrassed about asking what measures they have in place to keep their child safe and sound. Busy Bees assert that “safe and sound” is more than just locked gates (it is a culture where the team are trained to listen to the children and take action on anything that worries them straight away”).
Check the teacher to child ratios, too. You want the teacher to be able to give proper attention to the children. This is true even if she is an exceptional teacher. Essentially, you are trying to gauge how much interaction and attention the teacher is able to give the children. Does she go down to the level of the children to speak to them? I believe that is a bigger indicator of quality than anything else.
Step 4: Practical Considerations for Suburban Families
Admittedly, the better the center, the less important it is that it’s a hassle to get to work. It’s worth noting that the traffic around Melbourne suburbs can be a bit strange, especially in the mornings. Consider how that might impact your daily run or your way to the train.
Peruse their hours of operation carefully. Will they be able to accommodate you in case there is overrunning in a meeting? You may also want to inquire about costs and how they approach charging you for the CCS. It is also worth noting: When wanting to inquire about costs, it is essential to ensure that there are no additional costs, such as nappies and day excursions, which may catch you off guard after three months.
Step 5: Visit and Observe Centres in Person
You can spend hours doing your own online research, but there is nothing like the ‘gut feel’ of visiting in person. Most places will be only too delighted to show you around, and this is your chance to be a little bit of a detective and observe the daily routine in action. Is everything nice and efficient-looking, or does it look like chaos?
Scheduling Visits and Asking Questions
For families who live around Altona for example, popping into an Altona Meadows kindergarten is often the best way to get a real feel for the place. You see exactly how they handle those inevitable first-day tears and are able to get answers to your most pressing questions right then and there.
It really helps to visualise your own child in that local setting when you can watch the educators and kids interacting in person. And oh-one thing you definitely won’t want to forget to ask about is the menu; it’s always great to know how they manage allergies or those famously finicky eaters!
Step 6: Gather Feedback and Make Your Decision
Once you’ve done the rounds, it’s time to lean on the ‘village.’ Get online and scour Facebook groups, or talk to other mums at the park. Word of mouth, in suburban Melbourne at least, is very powerful. Ask other parents, they can give you an ‘unfiltered’ version of how a centre approaches communications, or staff turnover.
All that information, and all that research, and then weigh it against all your observations and assessments of what this child might need. Trust your gut. You’ve done all the hard yards; now it’s time to trust that and follow your gut in making the decision.
Conclusion
The choice of making the most appropriate decision during early learning settings is a major milestone in one’s development process; however, it should not necessarily be a stressful situation for the child. The best way to go about this situation is to base the entire experience on the personality of the child, the value of the outdoors, and the loving personality of the teachers to find the perfect location for them.
Remember, wherever you are, nowhere is perfect, but somewhere out there, somewhere will be perfect for your child. Take your time, check out a couple of places, and at the heart of this, your child’s happiness will shine through; you got this!
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