Have you been searching ‘kindergartens near me in Canada’? If your child is four or five years old and has not yet started attending elementary school, consider enrolling them in a kindergarten. Kindergartens foster a child-centred approach to education and learning. Generally, the cost of a kindergarten is less than the cost of private school tuition.
Early childhood education begins at home
Children learn by mimicking the actions of the adults around them. By watching their parents and siblings at the dinner table, infants learn how to speak, eat from a spoon, and even look at books. The environment in their home should encourage this learning. By creating an intentional space, parents can send a message to their children that their home is a safe, nurturing place.
The early years of a child’s development are critical to their future success. It’s during this period that they learn about their bodies, their emotions, their values, and themselves. As the first teachers, parents teach children how to walk and feed themselves, but they also need stimulation and interaction with other children. Early childhood education programs are designed to give young children this stimulation and introduce them to people outside their families.
Kindergartens foster a child-centred approach to education and learning
Children in Kindergartens are encouraged to explore, ask questions, and make sense of their environment through inquiry-based learning. This approach nurtures children’s innate curiosity and inquisitiveness and helps them develop higher-order thinking skills and habits of mind.
Early childhood education (ECE) programs are vital to young children’s development. The FDK program emphasizes the importance of daily full-day programming in kindergartens and other early childhood education programs. Studies have shown that differences in early learning skills can influence an academic trajectory. According to the Canadian Ministry of Education, 25 per cent of children face specific health, behavioral, and learning challenges by the time they start school.
They are becoming more academic
With changing family dynamics and the rise of dual parental participation in the workforce, full-day kindergarten (FDK) has gained popularity across Canada. However, the level of provision and accessibility varies widely, with some provinces implementing it fully while others offer only limited access. Ontario, for instance, has recently implemented a province-wide FDK program. But the debate over its value remains vigorous across the country.
The public education system in Canada is robust and well-funded. It is governed by provincial governments, with federal oversight of education standards. The country also offers both public and private schooling and is home to some of the best educational institutions in the world.
They are cheaper than private school tuition
You may not be aware of it, but kindergarten tuition in Canada is significantly cheaper than private school tuition. This is because private schools receive no government support and are funded largely by tuition fees. Luckily, there are ways to manage the costs of private education, including grants, loans, and education savings accounts.
One major reason that private school tuition is cheaper is that private schools typically offer extensive extracurricular activities for their students. This allows students to develop interests and discover new ones. Additionally, parents who send their children to private schools often save on after-school programs and transportation costs.
They help children make the transition to school
Although children often experience significant challenges during the kindergarten transition, kindergartens can help make the transition easier for children. In addition to providing a new environment and routine, kindergartens can provide a variety of activities and experiences that can support child development and learning. For a smooth transition, kindergartens must be collaborative with families, community members, and school systems.
The authors recommend that kindergartens coordinate and align their transition practices with their communities, which will lead to better short-term school adjustment for children and more positive family experiences. These programs can also improve social and emotional outcomes for children in kindergarten.