Choosing the Right Preschool for your Child

Early this year, things at the office were a bit relaxed having just come from the holidays so I thought it might be the opportune time to revive an event that I used to love organizing years ago. The concept stemmed from the fact that most parents experience challenges when it comes to looking for the right preschool for their child. For most discerning parents, it would entail time, effort and research to choose where to enrol, making their decision based on factors such as location, teaching methods, facilities, tuition packages, student-teacher ratio, or even rapport with the administrators and teachers, or if the child likes the shortlisted campuses at all.With several schools also asking for our help in promotions, I remembered The Preschool Fair event. The Preschool Fair concept was one of my first events when I started my parenting advocacy events back in the year 2000. In this event, I would gather top preschools in Manila and they would showcase their portfolio in an interactive exhibit, and the parents and kids could come and learn more about their school at the same time ask questions from the teachers.Gemma and Gladys of Mommy Mundo welcome the attendeesWe chose to do it at the Top Shelf in Fully Booked this year and at first I was anxious to know if the event concept would still be relevant today, now that information is more accessible online. So it was to my surprise to see so many people when I first arrived at the venue, lined up to enter the fair.Explorations PreschoolChild's Place, MIISCreate and Learning Paths SchoolLFM - Lycee Francais de ManillePlayworksMaria MontessoriClayton Learning CenterMindchamps International PreSchoolReedley International SchoolTMA Homeschool...Eduplay and Little Clarion School were there too.In all the events that we organise at Mommy Mundo, we always hope that people would come and patronise because that would not only show that we are truly answering a need (or want) of our parent community, but also it would make my exhibitors happy and make their time, effort and investment worthwhile. It isn’t enough for me that we have enough exhibitors, even if the costs of our events are covered, we work extra hard to draw in people and I always wish that our events are win-win - our moms are happy and our exhibitors also have a good experience.Parents listening to the talks, moms and kids talking and bonding...Checking the booths and talking to the teachers...Enjoying crafts at the Amspec booth.Some brought home some tokens from the talks and also from being able to pre-register.Thankfully the Preschool Fair 2016 had a good response with moms expressing their pleasure in having all the schools in one location, and the schools happy to have been able to market their schools in a more direct and proactive manner. I guess it is safe to say that this event is back on the Mommy Mundo roster. Hopefully next time with more schools in our roster, covering more areas in Manila.For moms and dads who came, thank you for making time for this event, for being such hands-on and passionate parents to your kids. I hope you were able to find a school in this setting which we worked hard to make convenient, where you could meet and talk to the educators in each school, ask your important questions and lessen the legwork in selecting the best school for your child.I myself learned so much from the hourly talks we had…The morning started off with talks by the Mindchamps International Preschool, Tina Soliman Zamora of Nest, then discussions on homeschooling by TMA Homeschool and more talks throughout the day...Teacher Beni of Explorations An interactive show featuring "The Gruffalo" by Clayton School Teacher Joy of the Multiple Intelligence School and Child's PlaceIt was great to see involved moms and kids listening intently.Family and friends also came by to support usRaymond and Joy Abaquin of the MI School, my long time friendsIchel Alignay and kids and Jing Lejano, Mommym Mundo head of contentand the rest of the team who worked hard to make the event happen.Arnel, Rej and Jing of Creative Juice/ Mommy MundoFor those who weren’t able to make it, you can download our Preschool Fair directory here and check out the quality schools that joined us.Hope to see you in the next Preschool Fair!