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Starting the Preschool Hunt
Tips for Finding the Perfect Environment for Your Child
By Becky Lane
Look at each school you visit in terms of staff and the school environment as a whole, and ask the same questions at each school, so you have something for comparison, Molland says. Green says she did all these things, as well as talked to parents of the preschool's students, before she committed to a school.
''Once you have narrowed down your top two or three choices, revisit these schools at different times of the day to observe different parts of their program," Posey says. "Ask if your child can come back to try out the classroom for a day. Consider it a red flag if a school does not encourage you to visit or is not open and responsive to all of your questions about the program."
Preschool staff should be one of your first considerations on the tour. "Be sure to ask about the school's management team," Posey says. "Who can you go to with questions or concerns?" Communication is a crucial part of your family's experience at a preschool, she says. "For example, a daily activity report lets parents know about their child's day from snacks and favorite books to what new words were learned in sign language and Spanish."
As for teachers, "The right combination of education, experience and caring is key when it comes to finding the best teacher for your child," Posey says. "Qualified teachers should, at a minimum, be pursuing a degree in early childhood education or a related field. Continuing education is also important. Through a program called Goddard University, we regularly bring ongoing training to each school tha ensures our teachers have the latest information in early childhood education."
