Preschool

When it is Time to Start Outside Education for Your ChildEvery parent wants their child to be happy and have a good education at the same time. There is a lot to consider when looking for a preschool program. More than anything, preschool is preparation for kindergarten so you should look ahead to what kind of kindergarten your child will be attending. If they are going to enter an “academic” kindergarten then you might not want to send them to a “developmental” preschool and vice versa. Finding a preschool program that is a good match for you and your child can be less stressful when you follow guidelines.A good preschool should have a welcoming, friendly atmosphere and be known for its nurturing environment and stimulating curriculum. Ask the school for names and numbers of other parents and call them, or stop by during afternoon pickup time and approach other parents then. Of course, take anything you hear about a school with a grain of salt and wait to judge it until you see it for yourself as disgruntled parents may simply have had a personality conflict with the preschool director. Also, your own first impressions definitely matter here. Be sure to observe the children when you visit: If they don’t seem happy to be there, that’s probably a signal to look elsewhere.Compile a list of preschool programs in your area. Word of mouth is one of the best ways to find a good preschool program. Ask your friends, neighbors or co-workers where their children go and what kind of experiences they have had. Know what you can afford and how long you want your child to be there each day. By knowing how much money you can spend on a preschool program or that you just want a break a couple of days a week, you may be able to significantly shorten your list.Visit the school’s classrooms and playground. Most schools will give you a tour if you call ahead. If they are reluctant to do so, that should be an indication that you do not want your child to go there. Observe the classroom for 20 to 30 minutes and know what to look for. Stand or sit quietly away from the children. Just watch, do not ask the teacher questions or talk to the children. Observe how much of the activity is teacher-directed and see if the children have free time. Look for organization and structure. Watch how the teacher interacts with the children.Ask yourself these important questions. Are the classrooms clean and orderly? Is the playground safe? What is the teacher to child ratio? What is the teaching philosophy and is it in line with your parenting style? If you like what you see then you can feel good about your choice and can look forward to the first day of preschool.It’s important for a preschool to be flexible by letting you pick up and drop off your child at different times. But it should also have clearly established written regulations for everything from operating hours to how to handle emergencies. That way you know the staff takes its responsibility and your child seriously.Look for a school with a strict sick-child policy. Find out which illnesses mean your child has to stay home, and for how long. A tough policy may inconvenience you if your child is ill, but keeping sick children (and staff) away makes sense. A good preschool helps cut down on illness by requiring all children and employees to have current immunizations and regular checkups.If a preschool doesn’t encourage parents to stop by unannounced anytime, chances are it has something to hide and keep looking. A great preschool will go beyond merely letting you in; it will invite you to become part of its community by helping with activities, accompanying the children on field trips, and so on. Some even have web cams that you can watch throughout the day online.