When it is time for your young child to begin his/her early education, most parents are perplexed and overwhelmed by the decision. Private schools, such as Beacon Hill can provide a familiar place for your child all the way up to 8th grade! That means the child has a comfortable, consistent place, where he or she will thrive. Research has shown that children who jump from daycare to daycare do not learn to their full potential and oftentimes become introverted and shy or develop behavior problems (Coley et al., 2011). If you start your child at a private school during these same years, your child can build relationships with teachers and fellow students while developing confidence in the surroundings. Hence, the curriculum and child’s learning is fluid and natural as is the transition from grade level to grade level.
Talented Staff
Most daycare centers don’t have the education rooted staff that private schools require. At Beacon Hill, we have a highly experienced and educated staff. Beginning as early as one year old, teachers are planning for your child’s successful holistic education; not just watching your child and fulfilling basic needs. The Council for American Private Education lists many reasons why private schools have high levels of success and excel in student achievement.
From a study and review with prominent child care experts (care.com, 2017), the following 10 concerns were identified in daycare centers:
- Poor supervision
- Under-trained staff
- Improperly administered medication
- Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS)
- Poisons and toxic substances
- Nursery products and equipment unsafe or unsanitary
- Transmission of Illness
- Food safety concerns
- Lacking emergency preparations and plans
- Inadequate or lack of background checks for staff
A private school is concerned about the items above as they are building long -term relationships with parents and students. Think of a private school as a continuing, secure growth option for your child.
Can Daycare Centers be Accredited?
According to Dr. Richard Fiene, a child care researcher and retired professor of human development and psychology at Pennsylvania State University, fewer than 10 percent of U.S. day cares are accredited. While accreditation is not a requirement or a 100 percent guarantee of quality care, he adds, “It’s a voluntary system and generally it indicates that providers have a real commitment to quality.”
What About Cost and Hours?
Many parents think of private school and automatically assume that the fees will be too high and that the operating hours will not work for them. In fact, Beacon Hill School operates from 6:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m Monday -Friday. Additionally, when costs are compared, the school is generally the same in fees as a basic daycare. Plus, Beacon Hill School accepts scholarships such as SUFS, ELC, Gardiner, and McKay. At Beacon Hill School, students and families get so much more, oftentimes for LESS!
Contact Beacon Hill School to find out more about our early childhood programs and to enroll your child. We are happy to assist in making this transition a smooth and beneficial one for your family.