2 Reasons A Private Preschool Might Be Right For Your Kid

When your child reaches preschool age, you might find yourself making the choice between inexpensive public school systems and upscale private programs. Although some of your friends and family members might balk at the idea of paying tuition for a three-year-old, private preschools offer important advantages that could follow your child throughout their life. Here are two reasons a private pre-kindergarten school or program might be right for your kid:

1: Better Teacher to Student Ratios

You might like the idea of additional playmates for your child, but will a large class impact his or her ability to learn? To better serve your child, private preschool institutions typically focus on limiting class sizes. In fact, studies show that while the teacher-to-student ratio sits at about one teacher for every seventeen kids at a public school, that number drops to one student for every nine kids in the private sector. Here are a few reasons low student-to-teacher ratios can work in your child's favor:

• One-On-One Explanations: If your child's teacher is in charge of making sure that twenty kids stay on task, they might not have the time or energy to go through the ABC's with your kid all over again. However, when teachers aren't spread as thin, they might have the time to explain difficult concepts and reinforce previous lessons.
• Faster Reaction Times: How will you keep that class bully from hitting your kid in the head with a toy truck? Since you can't be there, you rely on your child's teachers to quickly come to your child's aid. Fortunately, small class sizes might mean that your child's teacher can react faster to problems, so that your kid stays safe.
• Special Needs: If your child has problems with their mobility, eyesight, hearing, or memory, it might take them a little longer to learn the same skills. Fortunately, small classes make it easier for each teacher to cater to every child's needs, so that they don't get left behind. 
• Individual Accountability: When teachers have the chance to pay closer attention to your child's progress, it can make your kid more accountable. After all, if your tiny tot knows that Mrs. Smith is going to quiz them on their colors and shapes next week, they might be more prompted to learn the material.  

As you interview different preschools, don't forget to ask about class sizes. Ask if the enrollment is capped to a specific number of students, and whether or not the school will be accepting new kids throughout the year.

2: Allows Your Child to Matriculate Into Better Schools

Your choice of preschool might seem relatively insignificant, but if your early learning academy matriculates into a kindergarten, it could eventually alter your child's ability to enroll at better schools. Some preschools feed elementary schools, which then matriculate students into elite secondary schools. Believe it or not, research conducted at some of the more prestigious preschools has even shown that placement in the right school could improve your child's ability to be accepted at an upscale university. For example, college-age students who had previously enrolled in the Trinity School, an elite preschool in New York City, enjoyed a 38% acceptance rate into Ivy League Schools like M.I.T. and Stanford between the years of 2009 to 2013.

If you have a rough idea of where you want your child to attend secondary school or college, check around to see if any private schools in your area have a matriculation program. Because private secondary schools can be difficult to get into later, enrolling your kid in the right preschool might give them a better chance for a superior education down the road. 

By doing your research and enrolling your child in a private preschool, you might be able to give your kid the leg up that they need to succeed later in life.