The task of choosing the right preschool facility is daunting if your child is ready.There are a lot of factors to consider, including location, cost, learning philosophy, teacher qualifications, and schedules.If you start your research early and know what questions to ask when you call and visit each school, you will have a much easier time selecting a facility that is perfect for your child.
Step 1: Start your search early.
You should start searching for a preschool for your child 9 to 12 months before you expect them to start.There will be an opening at the school by the time your child is ready to start and this will ensure that you have time to make the right selection.You will be put on a wait list.This is common with preschools.In areas like New York City or Los Angeles, where preschool admission is very competitive, you will have to start searching earlier.If you didn't start searching early and need a preschool at the last minute, you may still have other options.Call around to see if any of the preschools in your area have openings, but don't neglect to vet them properly just because you're in a hurry.
Step 2: Consider both public and private options.
The right choice for you will largely depend on what is available in your area and your own preferences, as there are lots of different public and private preschool options out there.Both options have advantages and both can provide your child with a quality education, so don't rule them out without doing some research first.Smaller class sizes and more individualized attention can be offered by private preschools.When it comes to teaching methods, they may have more flexibility.It is not certain that public preschools are more affordable.Their teaching philosophy is likely to be similar to that of the entire public school district because they are often affiliated with the local elementary school.
Step 3: Think about how things work.
It's important to think about practical considerations when you're focused on curriculum and policies.It needs to be convenient and affordable for you and your child to attend a preschool.It is important to choose a preschool that is close to you.Some parents prefer a location that is close to home or work, while others don't mind driving a little further.Make sure the schedule works for you as well.It is important to know that you will be able to pick up and drop off your child at times that are convenient.Depending on your schedule, you may need a preschool.You need to make sure that your family can afford a preschool.Depending on where you live, the costs for preschools can be vastly different.
Step 4: Ask your friends for referrals.
Talk to people with children.These people can tell you about their experiences with schools in your area, which can help you make a more informed decision.There are online reviews as well.Some parents have written about their experience with the school.A good indicator of a good school is the number of favorable reviews.Don't rule out a preschool just because of a negative review.It is possible that the parent who wrote it had a personal issue with a member of the staff.
Step 5: Check for licensing and accreditation.
Only 6 states allow faith-based schools to operate without licenses, which is why preschools must be licensed by the state they operate in.Basic health and safety requirements may not be met by a school that is not properly licensed.To make sure the facility is licensed in your state, check the website of the licensing agency.You could ask the preschool to look at the most recent inspection report.You can view violation reports online for any of the schools you are interested in.If there are any violations, you should find out if they have been fixed or not.Check for accreditation by The National Association for the Education of Young Children to make sure that a preschool meets more than just the bare minimum standards.strict standards regarding curriculum, classroom environment, and teaching qualifications are met by approved schools.If you don't know what's available in your area, the NAEYC is a great resource to use.A complete list of accredited preschool programs can be found on their website.
Step 6: Take your child's needs into account.
It's important to think about what your child enjoys and what she needs to learn in order to be prepared for kindergarten.Some children need help learning basic literacy skills while others need to practice socializing.If your child is interested in art or sports, look for a program that will allow her to explore that area more fully.Consider if your child likes being around large groups or if she does better with smaller groups.Think about whether your child would benefit from either an academically- or play-based curriculum.Public schools tend to focus more on academics than private schools do.
Step 7: Understand the different teaching philosophies.
The right preschool teaching philosophy is a matter of preference.It's important to understand some of the most common schools of thought in order to find the best fit for your child.Children are allowed to choose their own activities in Montessori programs.These programs focus on hands-on learning experiences, practical life skills, and learning about cultural diversity.The focus of the programs is on group activities that foster creativity and curiosity.The purpose of these programs is to enrich the spirit, soul, and body of the child.In a variety of development areas, High Scope programs believe in providing active involvement to children.Children are encouraged to make their own decisions about how they learn in these programs.Children's learning styles and paces are embraced by Bank Street programs.Children are usually encouraged to work in groups, but can choose their own activities.The children's interests can be used to guide classroom explorations.Children are free to choose what they do.Children engage in pre-set units in teacher directed programs.The Creative Curriculum is one of the programs that the school purchases.
Step 8: Ask about the curriculum.
It is important to find out how the facility implements the philosophy you prefer.They should be able to articulate the philosophy and explain how various activities fit within it.Whether your child will be exposed to a variety of age-appropriate educational activities is the most important thing to consider.The curriculum shouldn't be too strict for your child's age, but it should encourage growth and exploration.If the curriculum is adapted for children who learn faster than average.These are not appropriate for young children.If you can identify the philosophy in practice, look at the classroom and school.If the children's work is chosen by them, look at the bulletin boards.If there is a clear unit theme in the classroom, and if classroom materials are openly available to the children.
Step 9: You should get a copy of the schedule.
You won't be able to completely assess a preschool curriculum without reviewing a daily schedule.This will give you an idea of whether or not the facility will offer your child a wide variety of activities that will keep her engaged and encourage different kinds of development.The schedule should include both indoor and outdoor play.Free play and organized activity should be included in the schedule.A combination of individual, group, and one-on-one activities is what the schedule should include.Kids should have the chance to develop their gross and fine motor skills, so look for activities that engage these skills.Opportunities to play pretend should be included in the schedule in order to help children with language development.If the classroom seems to be on schedule, note it during your visit.If the schedule states that the children should be having "Read Aloud" but are instead eating a snack, ask why.
Step 10: Ask about the staff.
It is important to find out more about the staff at a preschool if you are interested in it.It is important to know who these people are because they will be working with your child.State and age group teacher requirements are different.Look for a teacher that is licensed to teach in that age group.A bachelor's degree in Early Childhood Development is better for teachers than a Child Development Associate (CDA)credential.How is teacher turnover addressed?The effects of turnover on the children's daily experiences can be minimized.Asking for references is not a bad idea.Quality references for the program will be provided by a good preschool.
Step 11: Ask about the involvement of parents.
Ask the preschool what they do to encourage parental involvement.You should be able to visit and observe at any time in a good preschool.Staying informed is also important.Ask the school how they let parents know about changes.A good school will communicate with the parents in many different ways.A strong home to school ties is what you should look for in a preschool.There are special events on the school's calendar that allow parents to be in the classroom.
Step 12: Ask about the assessments.
While a preschool shouldn't be administering tests to your child, the staff should be paying close attention to her ability to perform activities and give you feedback on her progress.Ask the preschool what their policy is for assessments, how often they share this information with parents, and what format it is in.If there are opportunities for you to sit down with your child's teacher to get more feedback about her progress, you may want to ask.
Step 13: There are student to teacher ratios.
It's important to know how much one-on-one attention your child will get at preschool, so be sure to ask how many adults will be with each class and what their background is.Your state may have guidelines for student to teacher ratios, but your child may benefit from a smaller group size.The requirements for your child's age group can be found on the licensing agency website.
Step 14: Ask about the policies.
Don't be afraid to ask lots of specific questions when searching for a preschool.There should be policies in place for a good preschool.The preschool may not be the right fit for you if you aren't comfortable with any of the policies.Make sure you are comfortable with the procedure.It is important that the preschool's philosophy on discipline is similar to your own.There are policies regarding hitting and biting.Some schools will suspend or expel students if they display this behavior a lot.To find out what the rules are for potty-training, be sure to ask.Waivers for family vacations, disenrollment refunds and security deposits are included in the tuition policy.Pick-up and drop-off policies, food policies and sick policies are some of the details you can find.When choosing whether or not the preschool is a good fit, you need to keep in mind these practical considerations.
Step 15: You can visit the school.
Once you have decided on a few schools that you would like to visit, contact them to arrange your visit.The director, the teachers, and the assistant teachers should be with you while you are there.Don't skip this step if you want to get a good impression of the program.
Step 16: The staff should be observed.
It's important to observe how the staff interact with the children at the preschool in addition to knowing about their training and certifications.The children should seem to like interacting with them.Make sure they are happy with their jobs.It is not likely that teachers will be effective.Teachers should be spending more time with the kids.Better relationship development is fostered by this.If your observations are in line with the school's policy, be aware of how teachers discipline children.
Step 17: Pay attention to the environment.
Make a note of how the place makes you feel when you visit.Your child may feel the same way if you have a bad opinion of it.The space should be welcoming.There should be a lot of space for playing and running.There should be a lot of toys.A sign that the school encourages creativity is original art on the walls.Children are given the chance to choose their own projects based on their interests if all of the artwork is unique.Kids shouldn't have to ask an adult if they want to play with toys.
Step 18: It's important to pay attention to safety.
Extra attention should be paid to anything that looks less than safe in a preschool.Sharp edges on furniture, broken furniture or toys, exposed electrical outlets, and cleaning chemicals within the reach of children are some of the potential safety risks.
Step 19: Have your child visit.
It is important for your child to feel comfortable at the preschool because she will be spending a lot of her time there.If you approve of a specific preschool, contact the school to arrange a time when your child can visit.A good preschool will allow your child to engage in activities and interact with other children.You should pay attention to your child's reaction.Ask her to tell you what she doesn't like.Before you bring your child to see the preschool, make sure it's up to your standards.She would be very disappointed if she couldn't go there because it was over budget.