Choosing a school for your child is one of the most important decisions you will have to make as a parent because it affects not just their academic performance, but also their relationship with learning and their character development. This is why you want to make sure you pick one that can offer the kind of environment where your child feels comfortable and happy.

The good news is that you have a lot of options. Unfortunately, too many options can make you feel overwhelmed, especially since you know that this is a high-pressure decision.

So how do you choose the right school for your child?

You can look at test scores, read reviews and ask for recommendations from friends or family, but nothing compares to an actual visit. This is when you have the opportunity to get a sense of the environment and ask a few questions. What should you ask? That’s exactly what we will discuss in this article.

What Do You Do When a Child Gets Upset or Homesick?

Considering how young kids are when they go to primary school, there’s a good chance at least some of them will get homesick, upset, lost or have trouble making friends. This means your primary school choices should also depend on how well the school staff can handle these types of situations.

During your visit, ask the staff if they have any policies to help your child adjust to a new environment and what they do your child gets upset or if they see them playing alone during breaks because they’re too afraid to approach the other children.

How Many Children Are in Each Class?

You’ll also want to ask about the student-teacher ratio. If there are fewer kids in a class, it means that the teachers will be able to give each child more individual attention, which is especially important at such a young age.

Moreover, if there are fewer kids in a classroom, your child is less likely to feel overwhelmed and will have an easier time making friends. Don’t forget to also how many kids will be in each class in later years as well.

What Are the Lunchtime Arrangements?

Of course, you want your child to eat healthy food while they’re at school. Most schools have weekly menus so the parents can see what they’re kids are going to eat at lunchtime. If your child has any food allergies, ask the staff how they can accommodate them.

You should also ask if your child is allowed to bring packed lunch instead, and if so, what type of food and drinks are you allowed to put in their lunchbox. Some schools have very strict rules regarding these aspects.

What About Before and After School Activities?

If you work a full-time job, you’ll need to think about how you’re going to accommodate that. Many preschools offer extended hours so you’ll want to choose a school that also offers extra-curricular activities and clubs before and after school so you can drop your kids off on your way to work and pick them up on your way home.

This will save you a lot of time because otherwise, you’d either have to hire a baby-sitter or look for other options outside school. However, you’d still have to take the time away from work to drive your child from one place to another.