Parents, what do you look for in a preschool?

[AnaheimGirl]

I need to start checking out preschools in my area. It's been a while since I've done this, and while I have certain things in mind that are important to me, I keep wondering if I'm forgetting anything, and thought it might make for an interesting discussion.

So what is/was important to you, in deciding on a preschool for your child?

 

[DVC Jen]

I am a preschool teacher (3 yr olds) and if I had a child going off to preschool and/or I was in the process of finding a good school these are the things I would ask.

Director - teacher to student ratio, I would want to know of any violations of licensing and or health code violations for the past 5 years. How quickly were these resolved. What are discipline policies, snack policies. I would ask about curriculum, possible field trips.. are there any "specials" the children attend (at our school we have music, PE, stretch n grow, spanish and chapel). Do they have early drop off and or late pick-up? How long has the school been in business? What is the attendance level? How long has that particular director been there (if not long then I would want to know how many directors have been there in the past 5 years and why they left). I would ask to observe the classroom my child would be in. If there is any hesitation on the directors part of the teachers part I would run like the wind.

These are just a few for the director.

OK.. the possible teacher - how long have you taught? What made you want to get into early childhood education? What themes do you impliment into your lesson plans? What are your goals for the children? Do you students go on field trips? If so how does the transportation work? What is the adult/child radio for a field trip (in texas it is MUCH lower for a field trip than just a classroom setting). How do you handle seperation anxiety? What is your discipline policy/plan? How do you communicate with parents when there is a problem or something you feel needs to be addressed? Are you available for conferences if we feel one is needed? Do you have an open door policy? How much free play time verses actual "sit down and be still learning" is there? Do you implement games as a part of your learning centers or do you mostly teach via work sheets?

These are just a few questions for a teacher I would have... I would be pretty tough (but polite) because I am in that field and I know how bad some teachers are (there are an equal number of wonderful teachers too). Also the questions I have posed are probably for a more academic school then a simple day care setting since we are more academic based.

Don't be afraid to ask any and all questions you have. Call back after you have left and ask more if you think of them.. or better yet.. jsut drop in unexpected and see how many smiling faces you see (on the teachers too).

This is your precious child.. make sure you are 100% comfortable leaving him/her there.

Good luck.

 

[diznygirl]

The deciding factor for me was how warm and friendly the teachers were with the students. I really knew that my DS would adapt very quickly in that environment and that his first "school" experience would not scare him. One of the assistants greeted the kids with a big hello and a hug every class day - it was great!

I also spoke with other moms from previous years - and they had nothing but praise for the school. You know how moms like to complain - but no complaints!!!

 

[DisneyTarheel]

We have two boys in preschool now and agree with the questions offered by DVC Jen.

Another item we found important was the amount of parental involvement. At the school we selected, parents take turns acting as the helping parent in their children's classrooms. Also, parents serve on one or more committee(s) within the school, help with the physical maintenance of the school, and are involved with school planning and governance.

Not only does this help keep you actively involved in your child's development, it also helps keep tuition down.

 

[Tigger&Belle]

When I looked for a preschool for my kids I visited several places and talked with people to find out where their kids went and how they liked it. The place I chose was great and I knew it as soon as I toured. The teachers welcomed me in to observe, but they kept interacting with the kids and never ignored them to talk with me. I visited all the classrooms and got the same feeling from all the teachers. One school that I visited actually got out a tv and made the kids all sit and watch tv so that the teacher could visit with me. Needless to say I didn't choose that school.

I did not want a coop type place, so that was not important.

 

[AnaheimGirl]

Thanks for the replies. I also like the idea of the parental participation preschools, but the only ones in my area are actually quite a drive. For as short a day as preschool is, I know it would drive me bonkers if it took half an hour to drive there, half an hour back, and then again to pick up.

How about accreditation? My older dd went to a day care whose morning preschool program was accredited, but that school is no longer an option for us. I've always thought accreditation was important, but now that I'm looking for preschools only (without day care), I'm finding very few in my area that are accredited. Even some of the most highly recommended by other moms are not accredited.

 

[AnaheimGirl]

When I looked for a preschool for my kids I visited several places and talked with people to find out where their kids went and how they liked it. The place I chose was great and I knew it as soon as I toured. The teachers welcomed me in to observe, but they kept interacting with the kids and never ignored them to talk with me. I visited all the classrooms and got the same feeling from all the teachers. One school that I visited actually got out a tv and made the kids all sit and watch tv so that the teacher could visit with me. Needless to say I didn't choose that school.

I did not want a coop type place, so that was not important.

This reminded me of searching for day care centers for my older dd. At one place, the teacher let a baby sit and cry in the highchair while she showed me around. I loved (and chose) the place where the teachers made me wait until they finished caring for the kids.

I hope I can find a place that feels that good for my younger dd.

 

[mtemm]

thank you for posting this! we just moved and are looking for a new preschool. I had a wonderful list that I used when we were first looking last winter and it paid off...we chose a wonderful pre-school for our son. Now that we have moved I am blanking on some of the things I was looking out for last year.

 

[lewdyan1]

How about accreditation? My older dd went to a day care whose morning preschool program was accredited, but that school is no longer an option for us. I've always thought accreditation was important, but now that I'm looking for preschools only (without day care), I'm finding very few in my area that are accredited. Even some of the most highly recommended by other moms are not accredited.

I am a former pre-school teacher and our school did the voluntary accreditation with NAEYC. I highly recommend looking for a school with this accreditation. It is a complete process that looks at all aspects of child interaction and care. Schools must go through accreditation every three years and are held to a higher standard.

 

[disykat]

Another thing to look at is curriculum. I prefer a more play centered curriculum, but some people want something more academic. Find one that meets your needs.

 

[PaulaSue]

I would ask how is the teacher/helper turnover and years each has worked.

 

[MoniqueU]

My girls last preschool the teacher had been there 30 some odd years. She was a grandmotherly type that as far as I know had no kids of her own nor was she married yet she just had that touch with kids. That meant more to me then all the other junk in the world. I was very happy with her and less thrilled with the teachers my girls got after that though I liked the program of the school. We have slim pickings in my town and the slots fill up fast. I chose mine based on friendliness, activites, schedule, safety and just the feel of the place.