Starting Preschool: How to Choose a Preschool and a Preschool Backpack
Your child's first day of school is a big step. Beyond the learning environment and teachers, what else should parents consider? This guide covers when to start, how to choose a preschool, how to prepare, and how to pick a backpack.
What age is right for preschool?
Many children start between about 2 and 3 years old, but it depends on your child's development, your family's needs and each preschool's admission policy. Things to consider: social skills (sharing, cooperating), language (understanding simple instructions and expressing needs), self-care (eating and using the toilet with a teacher's help) and family needs. Classes are usually grouped by age: toddler class (age 2), small class (age 3), middle class (age 4) and large class (age 5).
1. What to look for in a preschool
Location and commute: a preschool near home or work saves travel time and lets you arrive quickly when needed.
Safety and hygiene: check that sharp objects are covered, play areas follow child safety standards and there is adequate supervision, and look at how clean the classrooms, dining area and toilets are.
Teachers and philosophy: choose an approach that matches your values, such as arts, nature exploration or early technology, and pay attention to teachers' background, experience and patience.
Curriculum and activities: a balanced mix of music, art, sports, outdoor play and group games.
After-school services: useful if you cannot pick up on time; ask about after-school care and meals.
How to shortlist preschools
List preschools near your home or workplace. In Taiwan you can search the national early childhood education information website.
Weigh your needs and budget. If you have no family backup, choose a preschool near home or work with long care hours; for a lower budget, consider public or non-profit preschools. Also compare philosophy, environment, teaching style and activity space.
Book a visit with your child and ask your questions on the spot.
Public, private, non-profit and quasi-public preschools
Public: government funded with lower tuition, stable teaching quality and good facilities. Admission is usually by lottery and is competitive.
Private: self-funded and usually the highest tuition. Quality varies by school, some have excellent facilities and teachers, and many develop distinctive styles. Admission is usually open enrollment.
Non-profit: run by non-profit organizations on government-provided land and buildings, usually near primary or junior high schools. Tuition is lower than private schools and staffing is relatively stable.
Quasi-public: private preschools that work with government subsidy programs. Check the current local rules for details.
2. Preparing for preschool
Adjust routines early: in the weeks before school, move bedtime and wake-up time gradually earlier, and practise a regular nap time if the preschool has one. A well-rested child usually settles in more easily.
Read books about school: picture books show children learning, playing and meeting teachers. Talk about what will happen and stress that you will pick them up after school.
Keep school and home consistent: stay in touch with teachers and practise at home what your child learns at school, such as dressing, tidying toys and packing the bag, plus mealtime and play routines.
3. How to choose a preschool backpack
Keep it light: guidance commonly suggests the bag with its contents should not exceed about 10–15% of a child's body weight, so check the weight of the bag itself. HUGGER bags weigh under 300 g.
Wide, comfortable straps: soft, wide, adjustable straps with a chest buckle. If straps are too long the bag sits low and pulls backward. Reflective details on the straps add visibility on the way to school.
Fit the child's size: choose for your child's current size, not for future growth. At ages 2–5 children carry little, such as a bottle, handkerchief, small toys and a book, so avoid an oversized bag.
Easy to open: a top-opening zipper is better than a flap. Let your child test the zipper and buckles.
Water-resistant, hard-wearing fabric: HUGGER uses high-density nylon with water-resistant properties and good abrasion resistance.
Choosing a preschool or primary school backpack in Singapore
Parents often search for kids backpack, preschool backpack, nursery bag or school bag. The HUGGER B5 preschool backpack suits ages about 3–7 (about 85–120 cm), and the A4 kids backpack suits primary school children about 5–8 years old and fits A4 books. Check size, weight and the chest strap, and let your child try the bag on before you buy.
What is the difference between a preschool backpack and a kids backpack?
They are search terms for the same kind of product: a child-sized bag for school or outings. The HUGGER B5 preschool backpack is for nursery and kindergarten, and the A4 kids backpack is for primary school.
B5 or A4 backpack: which size should I choose?
The B5 preschool backpack suits ages about 3–7 (about 85–120 cm). The A4 kids backpack suits ages about 5–8 (about 100–130 cm) and fits A4 books.
What should I check before buying?
Check size, weight and the chest strap, and let your child try the bag on.
Does HUGGER ship to Hong Kong, Macau and Singapore?
Singapore: delivery is available via SF Express. Hong Kong and Macau: please contact the local distributor. See the shipping and delivery page for fees and delivery times.
