At Pebbles and Piaget, we are thrilled to announce the opening of our second preschool in Langley, BC. Our unique psychology-based curriculum, led by BC-certified instructors has distinguished Pebbles & Piaget as a top-rated preschool.
When it comes to choosing a preschool for children, we understand parents want the best. There are a lot of preschool programs and classes available throughout Langley but comparing them isn’t easy. Preschool is not mandated by the Canadian government, so programs differ vastly. Choosing the right one means taking several factors into account. Below, we’ve discussed some of the highlights parents should consider before choosing a preschool and how we’ve strived to distinguish Pebbles & Piaget as one of the leading centres for early childhood education in British Columbia.
1) Age of the Child
Different preschool programs cater to different age groups. The term preschool broadly refers to programs that incorporate elements of child care and education that take place before kindergarten starts. However, some programs cater to specific age groups—babies, toddlers, etc. At Pebbles & Piaget, we offer baby care for children as young as ten months right up to advanced junior kindergarten classes for children aged four to five years. Our brand-new facility houses different classrooms, where students learn and interact with peers from their own age group. These programs scaffold school-based learning, allowing students to seamlessly transition from programs that focus on engaging the senses and the development of sensory and motor skills to a teacher-led curriculum that balances learning with purposeful play in preparation for kindergarten.
2) Reviews/Feedback
One of the most important aspects of choosing a preschool is the testimonials of other parents. Most parents are open about sharing their experiences online. For example, Pebbles and Piaget has a 4.5 rating with over 33 reviews on Google. Do a little research and note what parents are saying—both the good and the bad.
3) Visit the Facilities
Resources, playrooms, and environment are important for childhood development. A clean and pleasant classroom makes life and learning more pleasant and fun for children. Our facilities were built, not refurbished, to our specifications by the excellent team at m+ Architecture | Interior Design. Considerations included large and lovely classes flooded with lots of natural light, secure indoor and outdoor play spaces, reading nooks, and dedicated spaces to explore and learn, all outfitted with toys and tools designed to stimulate the five senses and plant the seeds of future success across all areas of development. We are immensely proud and pleased to offer interested parents an opportunity to experience our Walnut Grove preschool firsthand. Call (778) 705-9186 to schedule a tour.
4) Teaching Philosophy
Many preschools do not have a fixed curriculum to which the school adheres. There may be broad teaching philosophies like Montessori, Reggio Emilia, or Waldorf. At Pebbles & Piaget, we have designed our unique psychology-based curriculum on child development work of Swiss psychologist Jean Piaget. All our programs—for babies, toddlers and Junior Kindergarten 1 & 2—follow specific curriculum objectives. For example, our Junior Kindergarten 2 Program acts as a launchpad into the schooling system. Moreover, our curriculum goes beyond the emphasis of fundamentals like literacy and mathematics and incorporates soft skills like managing emotions, sharing, socializing, turn-taking, etc.
5) Parent Involvement
Does the preschool offer any special tools to parents? For example, some preschools offer class cams on a special secure network. At Pebbles & Piaget, we proudly offer parents access to Watch Me Grow, the highest performing, easiest-to-use, and most secure video streaming system in the industry. We also provide Tadpoles Daily Reports, which allows parents to stay connected to their child’s development through photos, videos, and notes from their day—either at the moment they happen or later in a daily report.
6) Food & Nutrition
Food is a vital consideration when choosing a preschool. When tuition rates differ dramatically, food is often a differentiating factor. Children need healthy meals and snacks to support physical, mental, and emotional growth. While some facilities require parents to pack along healthy snacks and lunches, Pebbles & Piaget has an in-school chef that prepares healthy snacks and hot lunches in our onsite kitchen. All meals are prepared according to the latest guidelines of the Canada Food Guide for optimal nutrition. Click here to see a sample of our weekly menu.
7) Extracurricular
Children begin developing individual interests at a very early age. Classes that allow students to explore interests like music and sports can be crucial to development, especially for children in preschool for a long time. Pebbles & Piaget offers enriching extracurricular activities that are optional, but work to support purpose and boost self-esteem while teaching about leadership, practice, and problem-solving. Our extracurricular programs vary by term and include activities such as piano, karate, and dance. All activities are taught by professionals in their given field and occur during the school day, which means parents don’t have to commute for extra enrichment activities.
Conclusion
We hope this article is useful in determining which Langley preschool will be the best fit for your little one. As parents strive to make the best choices, we believe our role as educators is to make that journey a bit easier. At Pebbles & Piaget, we have created a curriculum that helps children learn through defined boundaries and respectful consistency. From our Baby Program to Junior Kindergarten, our instructors provide the steppingstones for development through a thematically diverse curriculum that allows each student to discover their potential in an environment that’s safe, nurturing, and always supportive.
We currently have openings in all programs at our new Langley Preschool. Learn more today.