What are your ideas about faith-based preschools?

Question

I am worrying about picking a preschool for my soon to be 3 yo. Her father and I aren't really Anti-God, but we lean towards the atheist side. I have a problem with "brainwashing" her into believing. I feel like she should make decisions like that when she is old enough to understand what she is hearing. However, all of the preschools that are appealing to me are faith-based. Same is true of the schools she will attend when she is older. I'm having a hard time choosing between the cons of those schools and the cons of regular daycare/preschool institutions. The cons of those being schedule, cost, size etc. I don't want to brainwash my child but I also have those problems with the others. Which choice is the better compromise? Atheists and religious answers welcome!

Answer 1

The pre-school I work at in non-faith based and follows the government curriculum for 3-5 years old which then follows on to the curriculum of mainstream school. Although we dont teach God and religions the chidlren get to experience different cultures, events, festivals, foods, crafts etc which helps them in tolerance and understanding! I think all settings have pros and cons and you just have to weigh up how much each con and pro is work-maybe mark then out of 5 then count up the total and see which preschool has the best score in your mind!

Also look up on www.ofsted.gov.uk to see the preschools reports to see what the inspection said about them. You may also want to talk to the preschools which are faith ones a they may not be as full on as you expect!

Answer 2

I think it depends on how the faith based schools integrate their faith into the curriculum.  I have looked into some faith based preschools for my little one, and some of them have been more like a traditional preschool placed in a community of believers.  So, the religion is not being forced on the children, but they (the preschool) are more or less just providing a positive example of what a Christian environment should consist of-- i.e. Christian morality.  However, I have also looked at other preschools were the core of the curriculum is religious training and I wasn't as sure about those.  Bottom line:  I think you just need to check carefully into the curriculum regardless of whether it's religious or secular based and decide from there.  Good luck!

Answer 3

I wouldn't worry so much about whether it is faith-based or not. I used to work at a faith-based preschool and really the only difference was that we were located inside of a church and every Wednesday the older ladies from the church would read to the kids.

I would worry more about the curriculum and the kind of care your child is getting there. Look for teachers who are qualified (specifically those who have atleast an associate degree in Early Childhood Education). Also look around the classroom.....do the kids seem happy? Are the teachers yelling at the kids or quietly redirecting them?

Look at the lesson plans - do they have appropriate activities that all the kids would be able to understand and learn from? Are there books included in the plan everyday? How important is prayer/religion in this classroom? You may find that it's not all that important. I bet 90% of the teachers there don't go to that church and may not even believe in that religion.

A lot of parents don't realize this, but the preschool years are some of the most important years because kids are picking up things so quickly and the people around them are really shaping the person that they will become. You sound like you are open to your child believing in God, as long as that's their choice, and I think this way she'll have the opportunity to learn a little about God and make her own decision when she is a little older.

Good luck!

Answer 4

My experience... we were concerned about them teaching their religion's philosophy and all when we sent our child to a Lutheran Preschool.  They told us that they very generally introduce Christian beliefs and that's exactly what they did.  They didn't push any of their beliefs onto the children or families.  Yes, they invited us to their services but with no strings attached and they didn't have a problem when we didn't go.  :-)  They did a "Christmas program"  but so do public schools.  They painted crosses and said a "prayer" at snack but just think of it as an "early education"... when she talks about what is going on in school you can respond with, "yes, some people do that."  I think you will be okay with most...just come right out and ask them to explain if and what do they incorporate from the religious side of things.  Then make your decision.  Good luck!

Answer 5

My neice attends a Christian pre k but our family are Christians so if I were you I would not send your daughter there because you don't want her to learn about God.  I wish you were Christians but you have the right to practice what you want but don't try to confuse your child.  They learn about the teachings of Christ and memorize verses and put on faith based plays....so why confuse your child besides the prek expects that you are raising your child in a Christian home.

The reason you like the Christian schools better well maybe God is knocking at your door and you need to listien more.  Take your kid to different churches and maybe you will find something yourself and best wishes to your family

Answer 6

Well, let's be honest here.  Try as any parent might, they inculcate their child with their own beliefs...so in a way all parents "brainwash" their children.

Would you like your child to have the experience of learning about many different cultures and beliefs?  If so, you would want a secular school with children from varying backgrounds.  If your family, religious or not, tends to celebrate major Christian holidays to the exclusion of others, you might want to make other choices.

If you want to avoid such ideas altogether, be sure to observe any possible school for several days.  Even the most secular schools do "major" holidays such as Christmas and Easter.  In addition, your child will be learning about her classmates beliefs just by being with them.

If you put her in a religious school, she will definitely come home with expectations about what you will do with her...kids at her age don't draw the line between school and home that clearly.

I happen to belief, however, that children bloom where they are planted, and wherever your child goes to preschool, she will do well.  :)