As a parent, finding a preschool for your little one is one of the most important decisions you’ll make early on in their educational journey. Preschool or kindergarten programs, depending on where you live, are designed to teach your child foundational skills to help set them up for success throughout their schooling years.
And while it’s essential to choose a preschool program that provides your child with these fundamental skills, it’s also important to find a program that aligns with your family’s values and beliefs. But with so many different educational approaches out there, it can be tricky to know which approach is the best fit.
To help you find a preschool that aligns with your family, we’ve pulled together some of the most common educational approaches so you can better understand the learning experiences they offer.
Types of preschool programs
While preschool is designed to get your child ready for schooling, there are a number of different educational approaches and learning philosophies that guide and help children’s development during their early education years. Although it’s important to find a learning approach that aligns with your family’s values and beliefs, it’s equally important that the method meets your child’s individual needs.
The Play-Based method
One of the most popular educational approaches is the play-based method. This approach positions play as the core of children's learning and development. It allows children to freely choose activities and engage in self-directed play. The preschool environment offers abundant materials for exploration, creativity and problem-solving.
Educators in play-based childcare act as facilitators, supporting and observing children's play experiences. They may introduce new ideas, engage in play alongside children and extend their learning.
This approach promotes social, emotional, cognitive and physical development, fostering imagination, social skills, problem-solving and self-regulation. Recognising play's significance, play-based childcare acknowledges its crucial role in children's overall development and learning journey.
The Montessori method
The Montessori method is an early learning approach that focuses on independence, self-directed learning and exploration. Developed by Dr. Maria Montessori, it emphasises a prepared environment that nurtures children's curiosity and their desire to learn.
In a Montessori classroom, children choose their activities within a structured framework. Each day begins with a welcoming group activity to encourage collaboration and social skills. Children engage in self-directed learning throughout the day, moving freely between different areas of the classroom. They use specialised materials and activities that promote sensory and hands-on experiences, fostering purposeful and meaningful work.
This method values individualised learning, allowing children to select activities that align with their interests and developmental needs.
The Waldorf/Steiner method
Based on Rudolf Steiner's teachings, the Waldorf/Steiner approach to early childhood education focuses on active and hands-on learning experiences. According to this approach, the first seven years are crucial for children's future well-being and development, encompassing physical, social, emotional, intellectual and spiritual growth.
This approach recognises the importance of play, exploration and interaction with the environment as primary avenues for learning. The environment should be quiet, simple, warm and peaceful to best serve the child's needs.
Holistic education, integrating arts, nature and practical activities are valued in the Steiner Approach. By nurturing children's natural abilities and cultivating a love for learning, it aims to establish a strong foundation for lifelong learning and personal growth.
The Reggio Emilia method
The Reggio Emilia approach, developed by Loris Malaguzzi and parents in post-World War II Italy, values children as active learners, emphasising their curiosity and creativity.
It considers the environment as the third teacher, alongside parents and educators, creating beautiful and stimulating spaces for learning. Open-ended exploration, project-based learning and collaborative activities foster problem-solving, social interactions and self-expression through art.
The approach highlights documentation and reflection, allowing children and educators to revisit and analyse experiences. By empowering children as capable learners and valuing their perspectives, the Reggio Emilia approach promotes child-centered and inquiry-based education.
The Froebel method
Friedrich Froebel, a German educator, recognised the importance of brain development in the first three years of a child's life. His kindergartens were built on the philosophy that children are creative beings who need to learn and develop at their own pace.
The Froebel method values play as the natural way for children to explore and understand the world. It promotes holistic development and creativity in early childhood education, aiming to instill a love for learning from an early age.
The Pikler method
The Pikler approach to early learning prioritises a child's autonomy, independence and respectful care from birth to early childhood.
Developed by Dr. Emmi Pikler, a Hungarian pediatrician, this methodology highlights the significance of free movement and self-directed play within a safe and supportive environment. Dr. Pikler recognised babies as active participants and promotes a cooperative approach in all interactions with them.
The HighScope method
Developed by Dr. David P. Weikart and his colleagues in the 1960s, the HighScope method is an educational approach that focuses on active learning and child engagement in early childhood education. It concentrates on key developmental domains, such as social-emotional, physical, cognitive and language development.
Using a plan-do-review process, children plan activities, engage in hands-on experiences and reflect on their learning. Teachers serve as facilitators, creating a supportive environment and encouraging active participation. A variety of learning materials and independent exploration opportunities are provided in the classroom.
The HighScope method fosters self-directed learning, social-emotional skills and a strong foundation for academic success.
The Curiosity method
The Curiosity approach nurtures children's natural curiosity and encourages self-directed learning. It values open-ended exploration and hands-on experiences for children's development and education. The approach creates a stimulating environment with natural resources that invite investigation and discovery.
Child-led play and imaginative activities are promoted, allowing children to follow their interests. Educators act as facilitators, supporting and extending learning based on individual abilities and interests. By embracing curiosity, the Curiosity method aims to inspire a lifelong love of learning, critical thinking and a sense of wonder in children.
With Care for Kids, finding a preschool that aligns with your family and meets your child’s needs is easy. Explore our extensive range of resources to help guide you on your decision and use our childcare search tool to find, compare and connect with quality preschools in your local area.
