Congratulations, your child is four years old! It’s an exciting time, and you may feel like the time has flown by. Just yesterday, they were learning to talk and taking their first steps. Now they’re ready to debate with you at the breakfast table about which cereal is the best.
Why Pre-K?
It can be hard to keep up with a four-year-old. That’s because there is a lot happening in their brains and bodies. They are experiencing rapid mental and physical development. They are also craving social interaction, and it can be a lot of work to keep them busy and entertained.
That’s why many early childhood experts recommend enrolling four-year-olds in a high-quality pre-K program. Pre-K is specifically designed for four-year-olds, meeting them where they are mentally, physically, socially, and emotionally. Pre-K is also designed to prepare children for kindergarten, elementary school, and beyond.
How to Know if Pre-K is High Quality
The first thing you want to do is determine what works best for your family. How far from home or work do you want the pre-K program to be? What will the program cost, or is it free? Does the child have siblings? Do you need transportation and/or full-day care?
As you begin looking at pre-K programs that fit your needs, the next thing you need to think about is the curriculum. You want a curriculum that provides a variety of interactive activities to engage children in learning. You also want classes to be taught by highly qualified and trained pre-K educators.
Classroom size is also important. State regulations vary, but the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC), recommends a staff-to-child ratio for preschoolers of 1:10, with a maximum class size of 20. This allows for children to interact and teachers to supervise.
Finally, you’ll want to see the environment where your child will be learning, so schedule a tour of the center. You should have the chance to meet the staff, see the classroom, meet the teachers, and learn about the center’s offerings. Make sure to speak up and ask questions, especially if you see something that seems out of place.
We know it can be overwhelming to find a high-quality pre-K program that fits your child’s needs. But don’t worry! If you live in Charlotte, NC or Mecklenburg County, you have access to MECK Pre-K – a high quality pre-K program open to all four-year-old children in Mecklenburg County at no cost to families. Classrooms are located in licensed childcare centers and taught by licensed teachers and highly qualified assistant teachers. You can apply online at MeckPreK.org.
If you don’t live in Mecklenburg County, you can do your own research using tools like ChildCare.gov, which is operated by the US Government. Simply choose your state and they will point you to state and local information about pre-K programs in your area. You can also find information about care for younger children, and afterschool programs too!
About MECK Pre-K
MECK Pre-K is high-quality pre-K open to all four-year-old children in Mecklenburg County at no cost to families. Classrooms are located in licensed childcare centers and taught by licensed teachers and highly qualified assistant teachers. You can apply online at MeckPreK.org.
Do you have a child who is not old enough for pre-K this year? Sign up for our email list and be notified when they’re eligible for MECK Pre-K. Simply go to MECKPrek.org/future-meck-pre-k-students and select your child’s age group.
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