What is the best school for my child?

Many people ask me which is the best school to enroll a child in these days. The answer to this question is not so simple, since it requires observing specific aspects involving family dynamics and the student's profile. Often, basing oneself solely on the opinion of friends may not be enough.

Stay with me until the end and check out eight valuable tips for making the best decision.

Tip Number 1: Logistics (Time x Distance)

Check the distance you will need to travel to drop your child off at school and the time you will have available to do so. Parents often take their children to school before going to work, and it is important to keep in mind that there are variations in the opening hours of different schools. In addition, whether you will be walking, using public transport, or finding a place to park... each detail will influence the total time of this task. Remember: you still have other commitments after this mission.

Finding a school close to home can be a real dream, but "the perfect plan" does not always happen (realistically, it rarely does). There are variations in the arrival and departure times of schools, as well as institutions that offer part-time or full-time hours, with or without extra activities in the same location. You need to think not only about the logistics of the beginning but also about the end of the day, as well as the total time the child will spend at school.

Tip Number 2: Security (Internal and External)

Arriving and leaving school must be peaceful. It is important that there is always someone from the school available to greet new arrivals. After all, parents usually have their attention focused on their children at this time. You need to be careful with car doors opening and closing, bicycles, motorcycles, and people walking by.

Inside the school, you should look at things differently. Check if there are protective screens on all windows and stairwells, if there are handrails for everyone, adults and children, to go up and down if the furniture is rounded or has protection on the corners, and if there is rubber flooring in the areas designated for children and, most importantly if the spaces are clean.

Ask about the procedures adopted in case of medical emergencies that may occur inside the school, if there is any periodic first aid training for the staff, if there is an agreement with an external company in case of emergencies if the school provides medication sent by parents or not... believe me, emergencies happen and it is better to avoid unpleasant surprises when the problem arises.

Find out about possible security camera systems and whether or not parents can have access. Often, the mere presence of cameras can prevent many unpleasant actions, and even if parents do not have direct access, this allows the school to maintain extra vigilance, both outside and inside the establishment.

Tip Number 3: The Place

The place is cute on the outside, but "a real pain" on the inside. Think about how long your child will stay at the school and whether there will be any possibility of moving around. Ample movement is extremely important for the development of our little ones, and space is essential for this. Being confined, in addition to not encouraging mobility and motor development, can also cause stress for children and professionals.

There is no point in the place having a beautiful nursery if your child will not go there. Likewise, there is no point in having an incredible sports area and a disabled baby area if this is the space your little one frequents. Visit the bathrooms, and look at everything! Think about what is important to you.

Is the idea for a full-time or part-time school? Find out if there is a time and space reserved for children to rest, if the classrooms are well-ventilated, and if there is any difference in the school schedule (some schools organize small groups, separating children who opt for full-time school for specific activities). Find out how the dynamics work within the school and what choices you can make.

Tip Number 4: Food

Find out how the school menu works. Even if your child doesn't have any dietary restrictions, it's important to make sure he or she eats well. If there are any restrictions, it's important to make sure that all specific needs are met every day.

Ask to visit the kitchen/cafeteria, talk to the nutritionist, find out about the cost of meals (whether they are included in the school fee or not), and ask about the possibility of sending snacks separately, if that's best for your child.

If you need to leave your baby at daycare, also ask about the procedures for sending, storing, and thawing breast milk (or how to send formula). After all, you don't want to see all your dedication to expressing milk or all the care you took to preserve formula go down the drain.

In the case of older children, find out if there's a cafeteria at the school where you can buy quick snacks and check if the options are in line with what you consider appropriate for your family. Ask if it is possible to load cards with predetermined amounts for use at school or if children can carry cash.

Tip Number 5: Visit

There is no need to pay to visit schools. Enjoy it! Only by visiting the place will you be able to observe everything you think is necessary. Ask everything you want (without fear of being happy) and everything you think is relevant so that you can feel safe. Allowing an institution to be responsible for the education and care of your child is a very important choice and a great responsibility. You need to feel confident in the decision you are making.

Tip Number 6: Adaptation and Reception

Find out about the internal rules adopted by the school during the children's adaptation process. Find out how long the school takes for the child to be considered "adapted" to the place and the staff. Normally, schools tend to be flexible and inform that "it depends on each child", but professionals usually have an approximate idea.

The adaptation process can be a real "box of surprises". Some children react very well and go through the process quickly, while other children may take a little longer, with possible crying episodes. In addition, it is necessary to pay attention to the child's behavior, which may vary depending on their age.

The adaptation process needs to be treated with great care by families and professionals, since many factors can influence it, such as changes in the family environment, unknown children and professionals, distance from the family, and perception of insecurity or sadness of the parents... (there are so many factors that we could even continue in a new post).

Now, be careful: if the school is not organized and does not allow parents to enter the school (considering young children), during the adaptation period, run away! I myself visited a place where the idea was to hand over my baby, who was 6 months old at the time, at the school gate and leave, without any adaptation or transition, with the justification that "it's normal for babies to cry anyway". Needless to say, I never went back to that place.

Observe everything, but don't forget to check if you are also feeling the support you deserve as a parent. You should notice that your concerns are validated respectfully. Many times, parents' anxiety is the result of the insecurity they feel when leaving their children in a new place. Don't be shy about asking. Remember that parents also deserve a cuddle from time to time and an experienced coordinator will understand this process.

Tip Number 7: Reputation

Check the reputation of the chosen institution, what its relationship with families is like, whether anyone you know knows anything about it, and the reasons behind the opinions expressed. An internet search can help you in this process, as many schools have a virtual profile where parents can add comments. You will not make your decision based solely on comments, as indicated at the beginning of this post, but listening to or reading a little about the opinions of people who know the institution can greatly help you in your final decision.

Tip Number 8: Methodology and Values

Over time, the education market has advanced a lot. Today, it is possible to find several schools, with the most varied profiles. However, be careful: the "most famous" or "most expensive" school will not always be the best choice for your family.

Choosing a school because "all your neighbors are enrolled there" is far from being a determinant of happiness. There is no point in making a careless choice, without knowing the details about the school's philosophy, values ​​, or methodology and then fighting to change the institution's structure.

Think about your values, if you imagine your child developing an ecological outlook, being prepared in a technological environment, and/or developing their sports potential, ask yourself about the sense of belonging that your child will need to feel in this space, if it will be an inclusive space, considering the real capabilities and limitations of each child, if you intend to insert your children in a competitive environment or not, with a religious orientation or not, if you intend to choose to teach a foreign language or not. Ultimately, this is a personal decision and you should take into account the aspects that are important to your family.

Ultimately, if even after considering all of this you regret your initial choice, change it! After all, it is through mistakes that we learn and there is always time to find a new path.

Good luck!