Preschool kids clapping their hands.

While every child is unique and possesses individual needs, the right preschool program can benefit the vast majority of children, enhancing social skills, narrowing developmental gaps and reinforcing structure in their young lives.

January 18, 2023
Parks & Recreation

Parents constantly strive to act in their child’s best interest, protect their welfare and preserve their adolescence. As time goes on, those intentions tend to influence every important decision in their child’s life–including potential enrollment in a preschool program. Preschool can be incredibly advantageous for a child’s healthy development–nurturing social skills, building self-worth and developing empathy. That said, every child has their own individual needs, and the outcomes of any program are largely dependent upon the program’s framework itself. So, how do you know if your child is a right fit for preschool? There are a few things to consider. 

Socialization 

Consistent social interaction is a cornerstone of cognitive learning during a child’s early years. The right preschool program can help your child explore their creativity and imagination while they learn foundational language and literacy skills amongst their peers. Preschool provides an opportunity for all kids to step into an unfamiliar environment with unfamiliar schoolmates, build independence and navigate their way to success–regardless of whether they have siblings or not. 

Narrowing the Gap 

The global pandemic has been a difficult time for everyone, perhaps most notably for children. While it was necessary to adhere to safety precautions, new information suggests that isolation had a particularly adverse effect on young children. The first several years of a child’s life are critical for healthy development, as children learn to interact with their environment, process new emotions and build friendships. Unfortunately, the inability to interact with other children during the pandemic seems to have hindered this natural progression. In fact, a new term has been coined to describe this deficit: “social malnutrition”. Fortunately, a quality preschool program can help narrow the developmental gap and help set children back on a path towards success. 

Preschool can be incredibly advantageous for a child’s healthy development–nurturing social skills, building self-worth and developing empathy.

First-Rate Curriculum  

Guided by the BC Early Learning Framework, the City of Surrey’s licensed preschool program features a high quality, play-based curriculum built around children’s interests. Experienced educators provide a personalized learning experience for children, ages 3-5, that includes open-ended activities, free play and exploration–allowing children to develop socially, emotionally, physically, creatively and cognitively. Parents don’t have to choose between protecting their child’s play time and ensuring they’re ready for kindergarten. Our framework supports a nurturing environment through age-appropriate activities that helps facilitate an easier transition into kindergarten. Our program was most recently recognized in Westcoast Families, Dec/Jan 2023 issue, where it was named ‘Best Preschool’ in the 2022 Family Favourites vote. 

Structure is Key  

As adults, we learn to appreciate structure over time. Routines can help us plan more efficiently and reduce our stress levels. When a similar chain of events occurs in the same order each week, children develop security in their routine. That sameness can help them flourish in both an academic environment as well as at home–improving their sleep schedule, eating habits and even tidying skills. The City of Surrey’s preschool program–which runs from September to June–helps children segway to regular school day hours when the times comes.  

While every child is unique and possesses individual needs, the right preschool program can benefit the vast majority of children, enhancing social skills, narrowing developmental gaps and reinforcing structure in their young lives. Registration for the City of Surrey’s 2023/2024 preschool program opens February 7, 8 and 9, 2023 at 7:30am. Learn more about the program in advance by attending our Open Houses on January 21, 24 and 25, 2023. Meet your child's instructors, tour our preschool rooms and gain valuable information about your child's care. Learn more by visiting surrey.ca/preschool.