3 Tips For Choosing Your Child's Kindergarten School

As a parent, it is a continuous duty to find the best for our children, including selecting a suitable kindergarten class! From BPA-free water bottles to organic homemade snacks, we know that you go the extra mile for your little one. A good kindergarten experience can build confidence, spark curiosity and learning, and help learn essential social and life skills. Choosing the right kindergarten school can be a lot like learning to drive with your eyes closed if you don’t know the critical criteria. Fortunately, we’ve compiled three fool-proof and straightforward tips for selecting an excellent kindergarten school!

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Encore at West Grove Estates provides an extremely rare opportunity to move into one of Calgary's most sought-after neighbourhoods, West Springs, with semi-estate homes starting at the mid $600's. Located near excellent amenities and top schools in a well-established community that's only 15 minutes away from downtown and an hour from the mountains, Encore at West Grove Estates is the perfect place to live, work, and play. Contact us today to book your showhome visit and see why West Springs is one of the best neighbourhoods in Calgary for families. 

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Top 3 Tips for Selecting a Kindergarten

1. Proximity Of The School To Your Home

No matter what your kindergarten goals, one of the most impactful criteria will undoubtedly be location. A morning walk hand in hand across the street, for example, is an opportunity to build empowerment and independence versus a car ride and drop-off. Location will also directly impact your commute time in the busy morning and after school, but in other ways as well; If your child’s school is close to home, it will be that much easier to continue to build those classmate friendships outside of class for playdates after school or on the weekend when they live in the same neighbourhood. Selecting a kindergarten and even selecting an area to live in that is close to kindergarten, elementary and high schools gives your child the opportunity to grow up with the same kids and form lifelong friendships. When choosing the best kindergarten for your son or daughter, you will want to consider schools close enough to your home to foster independence and community.

2. Community

Arguably, another vital aspect of selecting your child’s kindergarten school is the people. We’ve all heard it takes a village, well a great way to get a sense of the community at your child’s school is to talk to other parents and teachers. Look out for tours, baking sales, fundraisers, and PTA meetings where you can get a sense of the school community’s values and priorities. One benefit of living in the same neighbourhood as your child’s school is the abundance of opportunities to get to know your neighbours, such as ice rinks, clubs, barbecues, or even going out for a walk with the family dog. If you find the parents and teachers are like-minded, you will most likely find you align with the school priorities and dynamics.

3. Make a List

Once you’ve narrowed down the schools in your area and spoken to neighbours and parents to get a sense of the school community, you will want to make a checklist for all your criteria. You can book a tour or virtual tour these days or inquire about an appointment with the principal to address some key questions. This list should include logistics such as class sizes, teaching styles and methods, how much attention is allocated to each child, field trips, safety protocols, diversity and inclusiveness, bullying policies, and communication processes. When touring the kindergarten, whether virtually or in person, pay attention to how engaged and content the children and the teacher appear and whether the classroom seems overcrowded or seems overwhelmed. A subtle clue to the classroom’s habitual state is cleanliness, art supplies, learning materials, artwork on the walls and hallways, and even the bathrooms' cleanliness. Once you’ve compiled and answered these questions, you’ll be able to make an informed decision on which kindergarten school will be a good fit for your child.
 

West Springs: A Family Home Near All Your Top Schools

Encore Homes, West Springs and the surrounding area are home to many fantastic schools. With exceptional private schools located nearby, there are also high-ranking public and Catholic schools close to the community. From childcare to kindergarten through to post-secondary, it’s easy to find a close-knit school nearby that integrates parent concerns and ideas while fostering an atmosphere of inclusiveness, curiosity, confidence and learning.

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FAQ's

Which Kindergarten schools are near Encore living?

Some of the impressive kindergarten options in West Spring include Rosscarrock School, Kids U, First Step Academy, Calgary Academy, the Calgary Waldorf School, and the Calgary French & International School, to name a few. For a complete list of schools, click here. 

What Other Amenities Does Encore Offer?

Not only does Encore offer semi-estate homes starting at the mid $600’s, but it offers impressive amenities such as green spaces, unique dining experiences, parks, and an established community in the desirable Southwest.

Are Showhomes open to the public?

Yes, you can continue to book an appointment to drop by and view our showhomes safely and socially distanced during the COVID-19 pandemic. Contact us today to set one up to get a picture of your next family home close to your dream schools for your kids.