When it comes time for your child to start kindergarten you are probably anxious about the idea. How has your baby grown up so fast? And, how will he/she fare in school? Once you begin thinking about schools you will inevitably begin wondering what school you should send your child to and if public or private would be the best idea. Making the decision is always a hard one because you want whats best for your child and knowing what is best is sometimes a mystery. However, an overview of the benefits and drawbacks of both public and private education might help make your decision a little easier.

Public School
One benefit of public school is that it doesnt cost anything. That means families of all income levels can afford a public school education for their children. Another benefit is that all teachers have valid state licenses to teach and must meet certain criteria in order to do so. Another benefit is that there are many children from different backgrounds. Your child will have friends of different races and socioeconomic status than his own and this teaches patience and understanding of other races and cultures.

Public schools also have larger classrooms and generally a larger student to teacher ratio. This might not impress you too much because you want your child to receive the personalized attention he/she deserves. That simply does not happen in public schools because there are so many students and only one teacher to meet all the needs.

Private School
Private schools generally have excellent teachers and they more often than not have a low teacher to student ratio. This means that in most private schools your child will receive the one on one attention you want for him. This facilitates learning and gives the child more self confidence. Also, scholarships may be available.

A drawback is that private school costs money. Some tuition may be extremely high while others are more affordable. You can only know if private school is something you can afford by comparing your expendable income to the amount of tuition. Also, most private schools are made up predominantly of one race and most students come from affluent families. This is not a rule, its just a generality. As a result students dont mix with people from different backgrounds and dont gain the respect and appreciation for all people regardless of race, income, and the like.

Which to Choose
When trying to choose between private or public school for your kindergartener think about the teachers in the respective schools who teach kindergarten. Go speak with them and find out what a day of kindergarten is like in their classroom. Ask about curriculum, rules, and general guidelines. A simple discussion with both teachers may be enough to help you decide whether you want your child in private or public school.

Posted in Kindergarten

Related Articles:

• How Important is Kindergarten?
• Will Attending Daycare Affect My Child in the Future?
• The Benefits of Preschool When Starting Kindergarten
• How Is 1st Grade Different to Kindergarten?
• Are Homeschooled Children Less Socialized?
• Teaching Everything In Homeschool That Is Taught In Public School
• Is It Important To Stay In The Same School From Kindergarten on?
• Should My Discipline Actions Be Changed When In Public?
• Are There Advantages/Disadvantages Of Being In Kindergarten Early?
• A Typical First Day in Kindergarten