I think first and foremost…qualified, experienced, and nurturing teachers who have knowledge and training in both Pre-Kindergarten and Kindergarten, someone who truly understands their child’s potential, while respecting the developmental continuum.
They should look for someone who is able to present:
· A developmentally appropriate curriculum that focuses on building foundational skills in literacy, numeracy, social interaction, and fine motor skills through hands-on activities and experiential learning
· A schedule that balances cooperative learning/group lessons, with self-directed exploration, and child-centered learning opportunities.
· A program that prioritizes social and emotional development, fostering skills such as cooperation, communication, empathy, and self-regulation, thereby creating an environment where children feel safe to take risks and express themselves.
· Opportunities for individualized attention, catering to the diverse needs of the children through small groups, differentiated instruction, and personalized goals.
· A warm and welcoming classroom that combines some of the familiarity of a Pre-Kindergarten classroom which is very much center based, with the more structured, formal look of a Kindergarten classroom.