4 Things to Look for When Choosing a VPK
Most kids in that are currently in school would say that 13 years of education is enough. However, there's a growing consensus among teachers, academics, and parents that starting school sooner is better for students. This realization is behind the push to VPK and early education programs. Though there are many VPK programs in Orlando, like Dream Big Preschool, the quality can vary significantly from location to location. Here are four things to look for when choosing a VPK program for your child.
High-Quality Curriculum
The point of a VPK program is to give kids a head start to the educational concepts and social structures they will need to succeed in school. Parents shouldn't assume that every VPK program covers the same material. If they aren't careful, parents could end up sending their child to what is essentially a daycare with little educational value for the child. At Dream Big Preschool, we take pride in our curriculum. Young children can learn a lot with proper guidance. So we crafted a comprehensive program to teach them the skills they need. We utilize Kaplan Learn Every Day, along with the Creative Curriculum with the Florida Department of Education's Early Learning and Developmental Standards.
Transportation Options
One of the challenges of being a parent is finding time to get everyone where they need to be. Some parents choose to forego VPK for their child because they don't have the time to stop at the VPK and at the school where an older sibling is attending. Dream Big Preschool has transportation options that can make it easier for busy parents to get their kids to and from school. As part of our Before and After School programs, we can offer transportation to over a dozen local elementary schools. If you have two kids and one is staying for VPK and the other needs to go to elementary school, you can drop off and pick up both kids from Dream Big Preschool since our bus can get the older child to and from school. In many situations, we are able to offer these transportation services for free.
Good Reputation
Because there are so many VPK programs in Orlando, parents will need to research their options to find the best program for their child. Dream Big Preschool has a reputation that parents can trust. We were voted the #1 daycare in Orlando, which shows that we're good with children and have the patience needed to help them learn new things. Parents appreciate that we have open lines of communication between parents and staff and that we know how to recognize the individual needs of the children in our care. You can look at some videos and reviews about Dream Big Preschool from our website.
Healthy Food Menu
Though it may seem like a minor thing, the food your child eats while at a VPK or after school program is important. Good eating habits start early, so you don't want to send your child somewhere that will stuff them with chips, snacks, and sugary drinks. We have healthy breakfasts, lunches, and snacks. We give kids an option of whole or 1% milk, we fresh fruit for snacks, and much of our food is made from whole grains. You won't have to worry about your child eating right at Dream Big Preschool. Kids leave with a head full of helpful knowledge and a stomach full of healthy food.
If you're a parent in Orlando that's looking for a high-quality VPK program, you owe it yourself to check out Dream Big Preschool. Check out our Prospective Parents Resources for more reasons to consider Dream Big Preschool. And if you have any questions, feel free to send us a message online.