A key factor in the decision whether to preschool a child or not is the parent's desire for successful learning. Whether it is getting a jump start on reading and mathematics or a need for developing social and emotional regulation skills, the specialized learning environment of a preschool presents an array of issues leading to the educational process. Children who regularly attend a quality preschool program may do better than their non-preschooled counterparts upon kindergarten entry. This is primarily seen in academic areas such as math knowledge, pre-literacy development and spoken vocabulary but may also be evident in regulatory and behavioral skills.
Before the preschooling process even begins, families must face one of the most important issues surrounding their child's early education: which preschool program to choose. Selecting the best program, for the child, is essential to preschooling success. Specific issues relating to school choice include safety and health concerns, variety of play things and materials, age appropriate activities and materials, a literature rich environment, staff qualifications and classroom curriculum. Additionally, it is vital to feel comfortable with the program and find that right fit between the school and the child.
A well-trained staff is crucial to any quality preschool program. According the the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC), early learners benefit from teachers who have specific education in professional practices. Although there is no formalized instructional qualification system such as that seen in elementary and secondary education, many preschools require a minimum educational background or even certification. Likewise, institutional licensure requirements may also demand that preschool educators have a specified amount of education, training or a credential such as the Child Development Associate (CDA) designation. Teachers working in preschools should have training that enables them to promote learning, understand child development, work with families, observe and assess young children and create an effective curriculum.
The preschool classroom may be a multi-cultural environment. with students from a variety of nations, communities and familial backgrounds, and preschooling practices must reflect the child's understanding in a respectful way. Understanding and integrating the child's cultural background into preschooling is not a simple issue. NAEYC's position statement on developmentally appropriate practice stresses that teachers must take the overall cultural context that the child comes from into account in the classroom. This includes connecting the child's home life, cultural expectations and conventions and even language or linguistic intricacies to everyday activities and lessons.