Choosing a Preschool
From LoveToKnow Baby
Before you begin the process of choosing a preschool for your child, you need to decide what attributes are important to you. What do you want a preschool to do for your child? Do you want more of a day care situation, or are you leaning towards a more educational experience? Once you determine what you want out of a preschool for your child, then you will be better equipped to find the perfect preschool!
Objectives of a Preschool
How can you differentiate between a preschool and a day care? Typically, preschools begin readying toddlers for kindergarten. While day cares may cater to all ages of children, from newborns to after school elementary care, preschools usually focus on toddlers up to kindergarten age. Some preschools actually have kindergartens, too.
Parents that choose preschools don't always place their child in one as a day care situation. Instead, they look at preschool as an opportunity for their child to experience more educational training and to learn how to interact with other children in more of a classroom-type learning environment.
What's Best for Your Child?
You can find the best preschool in the world, but if your child isn't happy there, you've chosen the wrong one. While some children thrive in larger class-like situations, others just aren't ready for the structure and sometimes over-exuberance of large preschool classes. Some children would be much happier in a small, home-like environment. Before choosing a preschool for your child, think about your child's personality, needs, insecurities, likes, and dislikes.
Choosing a Preschool Questions
Before choosing a preschool, consider the following questions?
- Do you know other parents who are happy with this preschool?
- What is the teacher/child ratio?
- What credentials do the teachers have? How many years of experience?
- Does the preschool have an open-door policy? If not, keep looking!
- What type of learning environment does the preschool have? Are the children given a mix of individual and group projects? Do the teachers recognize each child's interests?
- Look around the preschool? What types of activities are being done? What types of supplies are on hand? Are they plentiful?
- What is the playground equipment like? Is it in good shape?
- What is the safety procedures for the preschool? Are there evacuation plans in case of fire, or safe areas for the children to go during bad weather?
- What kind of security measures are in place? How are visitors admitted? How are the children released at the end of the day?
- Is the preschool an all-day school, a half-day, or do you have options?
- What is the price of tuition, and do you have to pay if your child doesn't attend sometimes?
- Are teachers and staff certified in CPR?
- What is the discipline policy?
- What is the health department rating?
- What types of foods are served?
- How clean is the preschool?
- Observe the children. Do they appear happy?
- What type of educational philosophy does the center subscribe to?
Types of Preschools
Finally, some preschools adopt a particular philosophy, and these philosophies can be identified by the preschool name.
Montessori
The Montessori program is known as a "living room for children". Children are encouraged to become more independent. Individual interests are also stressed under this philosophy. Teachers tend to follow a child's lead. Exposure to various cultures is emphasized. Teachers typically try to cultivate a close bond with the parents to better educate their children.
High/Scope
The High/Scope program was originally designed for low-income and high risk students. However, it has evolved into an educational program that offers benefits for every child. High/Scope also focuses on individuality and the interests of each child. Teachers are trained to support independence and decision-making, and children are encouraged to make their own choices. Children who need more individual attention may thrive under this program.
Waldorf Method
The Waldorf Method focuses on repetitive routines to provide a comforting rhythm for children. The preschool environment focuses on the comforts of home. Natural lighting, uncluttered areas, and simple, wooden furniture give children a comforting and reassuring environment in which to learn. Creative play is encouraged, and group activities are frequent.
Bank Street Program
The Bank Street program encourages children to learn about geography, history, art, political science, and economics. The key to this preschool program's philosophy is for the children to learn about the world around them so that they can make sense out of their own world. Manipulative toys that encourage a child's imagination are preferred. The Bank Street preschool doesn't stick to a uniformly structured environment.
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