Tips on Choosing the Right Preschool for Your Child

When it comes to choosing a preschool for your child the choices can often feel overwhelming.

Your child’s mind is absorbing everything she can about the world around her,  trying to discover her place in it. It’s important to find a preschool with teachers who understand how to harness this curious nature and guide her towards building the skills she’ll need throughout life.

Consider the following when choosing the right preschool for your child.

What is the school’s curriculum philosophy?

There are a lot of different philosophies surrounding the best way to educate children. If you’re not aware of the nuances, it can be confusing deciding between preschools which provide similar offerings.

Following are some of the most common terms you’ll see:

Montessori approach

Find a preschool which suits your child’s needs

This approach focuses on each child’s individuality as they’re learning. They base a child’s progress apart from what other children are doing, and help each child learn at their own pace and in their own way.

Reggio Emilia approach

This teaching method involves giving children opportunities to solve problems through exploration and critical thinking.

Waldorf approach

The Waldorf approach helps children use their imaginations in learning, giving them opportunities to explore their world through their senses, through participation and analytical thought about their experiences.

Bank Street approach

Schools using this approach are focused on “meeting” children where they’re at and rely on their educators to have an understanding of human development. This gives them the skills to help each child progress to the next level by providing opportunities to learn through multiple perspectives, both in the natural world and in the classroom.

High/Scope approach

Educators using this approach to learning allow children to take charge of their own learning. Children learn to plan out what they want to accomplish each day and take part in a review session to determine their goals for the following day.

Other terms commonly used are:

Child-centered

In a “child-centered” facility children take part in activities and learning opportunities that interests them, rather than topics that are pre-chosen by the teacher.

Teacher-led

Teachers in this type of classroom will choose the schedule and topics for the children, giving them a structured learning environment.

Child-led

Educators in a child-led facility operate on the premise that children are most engaged in learning when they’re interested in the topic and/or activity. Teachers wait for each child to initiate the learning process by asking to do something new, making learning an individualized, rather than group experience.

Faith-based

As you might imagine, a school that is described as ‘faith-based” educates children according to the tenets of their particular faith.

Co-operative

This kind of setting will often ask parents and families to volunteer in running the preschool. Individuals will sign up to volunteer to manage the day to day activities as well as fundraising, advertising and janitorial upkeep of the school.

Developmentally appropriate

The activities and curriculum chosen for the school should be developmentally appropriate for the ages of the children in class.

While the curriculum among schools can vary, there are some key things to consider when choosing a school that apply to every preschool.

The Teacher/Child relationship

In preschool, your child should really be able to connect and engage with her teacher. Until this stage in her life she’s been surrounded and supported by her parents, siblings and perhaps other family members who love and care for her.

The transition between spending a large part of her day at home, with familiar surroundings and people, to spending time somewhere else, with other people, can be a scary process for her. That’s why it’s so important that she’s able to make a connection with her teacher.

When you visit the preschool, take note at how engaged the teacher is with the other students. Ask her about the students in her classroom. She should be able to speak about each child’s individual strengths and weaknesses as if they were her own child.

The teacher should show great patience and gentleness when the children ask her for help. They may simply want to share something they’ve done – which is a very common occurrence at this stage!

If possible, watch how she resolves differences among the children.  Is she gruff or short, barking out orders, or does she take time to explain to each child why certain behaviors aren’t appropriate?

Words… everywhere

The right preschool programs provide many opportunities to learn visually, phonetically and even kinesthetically.

• Do children make regular visits to the library?
• Are there banners and bulletin boards displaying words, letters and images everywhere?
• Is there a reading nook with stacks of books and puzzles and a place for children to gather to hear the teacher read stories?

Math concepts

Simple, basic math concepts should be explained and taught to your preschool age child.

Concepts such as “greater than” or “less than”, bigger, smaller, counting objects, etc. should be consistently reinforced as part of the preschool curriculum.

Look for a teacher who is excited about math and shows that same enthusiasm to her students.

Recess

Does the preschool have a safe place outside where your child can play?

If not, look elsewhere. Research – and common sense – shows that not only is physical activity is needed for growing bodies, it also increases cognitive functioning.

Do you want to work all day long without a break?

Obviously not… and neither would your child!

Narrow down your choices

Once you’ve narrowed down the vast number of preschools to just a few choices, do the following:

Tap your network for information about good preschools in the area. Why do this last? Because understanding the different philosophies surrounding child education will help you choose among schools which may be very similar.

Research reviews of the school online.

Visit your preferred schools in person to observe the teachers and administrators in action. Ask yourself the following questions while you’re there:

•      Is my child interested in what’s happening?
•      Is everything clean and safe?
•      How do children and adults interact with each other?
•      How do the children interact among themselves?
•      Do I feel welcome?

Some basic questions you can ask include the following:

•      What is the staff turnover rate?
•      How many of your staff hold degrees in early childhood education?
•      What are your safety procedures for picking up and dropping off children?
•      Are you accredited?
•      What are your payment procedures and options?
•      How do you handle discipline?

Finally, make the time, if possible, to spend a couple of hours at the center.  Watch the children and the teacher(s) go through their day to give you an idea of what your child will experience when she attends.

Bottom line… if something feels wrong and you’re not able to put it into words, just trust your instincts. Find another preschool for your child… she’ll be spending a lot of time there. You want her to learn, but you also want her to feel safe, secure and happy. Are you looking for a preschool that will put your child first? Try Voyagers Community School.

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