Preschool can engage a child’s curiosity, encourage independence and provide opportunities for social-emotional learning. But not all parents and caregivers want or can afford to send their child to preschool. For some parents, a physical location nearby may not be an option either. For that reason, many parents are choosing to provide preschool at home.
“Homeschool preschool is a wonderful option if families have the tools required and the time and interest needed to help prepare their little ones for school at home,” says Amanda Vierheller, co-founder and COO of Playgarden, a premier online preschool program offering children 18 months-5 years old a private education experience at home.
And if you’re looking for flexibility, that’s one of the greatest advantages of home preschool, points out Katelyn Rigg who holds her Master of Education with a reading specialist certification and is the founder of LiteracyLearn.com as well as a parent who did at-home pre-K with her oldest child. But there is a lot to consider before knowing if it’s right for you and your family.
Read on for the pros and cons of preschooling at home as well as expert-backed tips, resources and testimonials to help you decide whether a home-based preschool is for you.
How to deciding if preschooling at home is right for your family
“It’s essential to carefully weigh the pros and cons to make an informed decision that aligns with your family’s goals and aspirations,” says Jess Brooks, editor of HessUnAcademy.com, former elementary teacher and homeschool mom.
Here are both the advantages and disadvantages of creating your child’s preschool experience at home.
Advantages of preschooling at home
You create the schedule.
“As a homeschooling parent, you have the freedom to create a schedule that aligns with your family’s needs,” says Brooks. She says that the schedule can be built around your child’s learning pace, which allows for a more personal learning experience.
One-on-one attention is a significant benefit.
Brooks says when you are the teacher and your child is the only student, your child can benefit from undivided focus, which is instrumental in their early development. And your attention can help determine what best supports your child’s growth and development, she says.
You control the curriculum.
This means that each day can look different based on your child’s interest. “One day the child might be working on letter formation with playdough at home, and the next day, during grocery shopping, they’re looking at cereal boxes and identifying letters in the environmental print,” says Rigg.
Brooks adds that this control enables you to choose a teaching style and materials that align with your values and your child’s unique learning style.
Disadvantages of preschooling at home
Kids may not get the socialization skills they need.
”Kids need to learn important skills like sharing and independence,” says Rigg. She adds that kids who lack the experience of schooling outside of their home might find the transition to kindergarten more challenging.
Homeschooling demands time and preparation.
“As a homeschooling parent,you’ll need to invest time in planning and organizing lessons and activities, which can be a significant commitment, especially if you’re juggling other responsibilities,” says Brooks.
All experts recommend reaching out to both local and online resources, which can provide peer-socializing and teaching tools that aren’t automatically built into home preschooling.
How to structure homeschool preschool
If you’ve decided you want to give preschooling a home a try and are ready to get started, here are ways to get the most out of your child’s early educational experience.
Find a routine that works for you.
The way you structure homeschool preschool can be flexible and tailored to the child’s needs, but a general guideline is to maintain a routine, says Sohaib Hasan, the founder of OhMyClassroom.com, a website that offers comprehensive resources on a range of topics related to early childhood development, parenting and education. Allocate two to three hours each day for structured learning activities, which can be broken into short sessions to keep your preschooler engaged, notes Hasan. Adapt the schedule as needed to accommodate your child’s attention span and interests.
Brooks recommends establishing a schedule that includes learning time and playtime — and to stick with it, given that kids thrive on consistency. This will also help establish some balance between you and your child who is also seeing you both their teacher and parent.
Communicate your role to your child.
Speaking of striking a balance as both a parent and a teacher, Brooks notes that it “ can be a bit tricky, but it’s doable.” Maintaining a daily schedule helps you establish yourself as a teacher during learning time, when structure and focus are necessary, and you can be a fun and supportive parent during playtime.
Rigg says that those boundaries are important. “As a teacher and a [parent], your whole life revolves around the needs of children,” she says. “And those needs are of utmost importance. Each one of those roles gets my focused attention, even though sometimes the roles can overlap at times.”
Find ways for your child to socialize with other kids.
“Three and 4-year-olds need social interaction [with peers] in preparation for kindergarten,” says Laurie Hollman, licensed clinical social worker, certified infant-parent psychotherapist and award-winning author. “Plus, little ones love other little ones to be with, so it’s a necessary part to include in homeschooling.”
Adding trips to the library or finding playgroups are great ways to build in socialization, she notes, adding that if you can find a playgroup that allows you to leave your child for a little time, it will help create confidence during separations, which is beneficial when it’s time for kindergarten.
Rigg suggests using community resources and community centers to build in opportunities for socialization. For example, she includes a daily read-aloud time at the library as part of the weekly school routine.
Joining local homeschooling or preschool co-op groups can be great too, says Brooks, because it allows for socialization and opportunities to develop necessary social-emotional skills. Preschool co-ops are often “built” by a group of parents who live nearby and work together to provide game and play-based education for their kids. And sports, art or music classes also provide the chance for your child to mingle with peers. They can be offered through libraries, park and recreation departments and dance or gymnastic studios.
Resources when teaching preschool at home
There is no shortage of options when it comes to resources, points out Brooks. You can easily find plenty of educational websites and apps that make learning fun for preschoolers, and curriculum guides and materials are available online or in stores if you want a more structured approach, she says. And the library is also a “treasure trove” of books and materials for young learners, according to Brooks.
You’ll also want some educational toys and art supplies that can add a hands-on element to your home preschool. (Fat Brain Toys and Smart Kids Planet are both reputable sites for shopping or idea gathering.)
When it comes to building your home preschool, consider the following:
Age-appropriate curriculum
Choose a curriculum or educational materials that align with preschool learning objectives, including phonics, math basics and social skills. Riggs says that she doesn’t usually use a set curriculum and relies on toys, books and songs to keep kids learning. That said, she is currently using Heggerty’s Phonemic Awareness Curriculum, which provides 35 weeks of daily lessons for half-day or full-day lessons, to build the foundation for her 4-year old to be a successful reader.
Books
Build a library with a variety of picture books, early readers and educational materials that cater to your child’s interests, suggests Hasan.
Art supplies
All of our experts agree that stocking up on basic art supplies — such as crayons, markers, colored pencils, paper, glue and child-safe scissors — encourages creativity.
Learning apps and websites
Utilize educational apps and websites that offer interactive activities and lessons tailored to preschoolers. Hasan recommends exploring apps like Duolingo ABC and Endless Alphabet for interactive learning.
“I’m a big fan of ABC Mouse,” says Brooks, who makes a lot of printables herself to engage children during non-screen time.
Noggin is another site that offers preschool-friendly learning games, and Education.com has printables as well.
Vierheller also recommends Teachers Pay Teachers and Tot Schooling.
Manipulatives
Hasan recommends items like counting bears, building blocks and pattern cards enhance hands-on learning.
Outdoor play equipment
Encourage physical activity and exploration with age-appropriate outdoor toys like balls, tricycles and a sandbox, says Hasan.
A supportive learning environment
Designate a quiet space for your child to focus and learn, recommends Vierheller. A comfortable spot with the necessary supplies, cubbies or containers that are easy to access and use will make the day go smoother and help give your homeschooler some independence to get what they need. She suggests keeping a water bottle close at hand so your child can stay hydrated without needing to disrupt learning time to get a drink. Checklists and calendars are also helpful so kids know what’s next and can see what they have accomplished. “A timer is another great tool that allows children to visually understand how long each learning session will last,” adds Vierheller.
The bottom line on preschooling at home
Choosing between homeschooling preschool and enrolling your child in a daycare center or preschool program is a deeply personal one. Brooks reminds caregivers that the decision is based on your family’s values, your child’s needs and your individual circumstances. There will never be a one-size-fits-all answer for early education. What matters most: choosing the option that best supports your child’s growth and development.
