What should I look for in a Pre-K?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The thing your child needs most right now from preschool is social interaction. Learning to interact and get along with other kids when the social situations aren't so controlled (e.g., not just playdates with pre-approved friends with parents closely supervising). A variety of activities to give them stimulation. Outdoor play is more important than drilling them on math skills. If learning Spanish were important to you, you'd probably also be looking into Spanish immersion for kindergarten and would already have decided it's a priority.

Ultimately, go with your gut. Does the school feel friendly and welcoming? Do kids seem comfortable with the staff? Those are key. Also, don't dismiss proximity. Even with a nanny to drive your child there and back, if your child makes friends and wants to do playdates, it's much easier if the families lives relatively close to you because no one wants to drive across the river for that.

OP here. I would like Spanish immersion. I was a Spanish major in college, but since it's not my first language I don't speak it with my children. I haven't been thrilled with the Spanish programs near me.

I adore my DD, but I really want to build her confidence. She easily gets bullied and she does exactly what we tell her to do always (which is amazing for us as parents, but I would like to raise her to be more independent too). Instead of playing with other children, she loves playing with adults.

There are about 15 Pre-Ks in a 5 minute radius and it's hard to tour them all and figure it out.

I was a Spanish major also and prioritized Spanish immersion for my kid as well. I will say, if you won't be able to continue it through elementary and can't supplement at home, then it's really not worth prioritizing over an overall better preschool for the next year or two. I speak to my kid in Spanish as much as she'll let me, do TV in Spanish only, and choose Spanish summer camps...on top of her Spanish immersion elementary school. IMO, if you can't commit to all of that, then I would really focus on building her confidence and social skills. It will make the transition into kindergarten MUCH easier.

I would look for a play based school that can tell you about their approach to socio-emotional development. Look for a school with teachers that get continuing education, are encouraged to get addition certifications and with whom the children generally seem happy and affectionate towards. When you visit, talk to the teachers and tell them you have an easily bullied people pleaser, and ask what they would do to help her build confidence.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Wait, OP, you want a full day program so nanny doesn't need to travel? Well, you can do that, too - (I'm the ECE with the long email.. there are plenty of full day program that do the playbased I said - but there are plenty that do NOT.

At our full day program our children are outside twice a day for an hour (or more) each day. No kidding. Today they went outside, in the snow and mud and had a glorious time. They will go outside again this afternoon. they don't go outside when it's sleeting or raining really hard, or when there is a blizzard, or when the wind is so strong it will blow them off their feet, or when it's dangerous (wind chill for too cold or heat index for too hot). But basically they go outside every darn day, twice a day.

Can you name your program?