What should I be asking at preschool visits?
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Anonymous
| We are starting visits for DS to be in a 2's program next fall. What kinds of questions should I be asking at the open houses? (I swear someone needs to put together a manual on this stuff, they'd make a mint.) |
Anonymous
| Anyone can answer you anyway they want. Simply observe for three hours, then you'll know what to ask, or not. |
Anonymous
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Do they serve food or do you packe them? If catered, ask to see the menu, including snacks.
What type of educational background do the teachers have? Continuing training? Ratios? Teaching philosophy? Discipline philosophy? |
Anonymous
| Any time spent with older/younger kids? |
Anonymous
This! |
Anonymous
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Former nursery school teacher here. Find out what training the staff has and what kind of background checks have been done. Ask about the daily schedule; how much of the time is free play, and how much is structured? Are music, books, crafts, and outdoor time a part of every class? Where is the bathroom, and how is potty-training handled? What is the discipline policy? What kinds of foods are served for snacks? Look at the classroom; is it bright, cheerful, and clean? Do the children look happy? Do the staff members seem truly engaged with the children? Observe how they are handling any issues in the classroom; in a two's room, there is always a lot going on!
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Anonymous
| How long have the teachers and director been there. Some staff turnover is normal from year to year, but a lot can be tough on young children. |
Anonymous
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How involved are the parents? If you love to be involved, you'll want a school that values that and makes you feel welcome. If you'd rather drop your child off at a great place and not be involved, you'll want a place where that's the culture.
A mismatch can mean you feel intrusive and unwelcome (at a place that doesn't welcome parents, if you're the involved sort) or defensive and disconnected (if you're at a place that wants parents constantly involved, and you don't have time/interest for that). Obviously, we all want a school we trust, and we all want good communication for the major stuff, but there are big cultural differences between schools on the smaller day to day stuff. Finding a school that sits well with your expectations will make you happier as a parent, and happier with the school. |
Anonymous
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potty training-how do they do it? some places wait for parents to let them know... others try to train the whole class at once with sticker charts, etc.
nap time-if the kids don't want to nap on a particular day or have outgrown nap time how is this handled? are they allowed to look at books quietly on their cots? how is supervision handled at naptime? are there enough teachers to allow kids to get up after the required 45 minutes/hour or whatever? current parents-can the director put you in touch with current parents? are there room parents? a parents advisory group? communication-how do you communicate with parents? do the 2 year olds have day sheets? what about as they grow older? aftercare/beforecare-if you're going to do it you should know how the classes mix and unmix during the day. in some programs, there are too many transitions. what kind of supplementary programs are offered-some places have a music teacher come in once a week and it's included in the tuition. others may allow outside vendors to come and hold classes with the kids and it costs $50-100/month extra. it's convenient if you are interested but could be annoying if all the other kids take the classes and you don't want to pay for it. while you're there check out the art work on the walls, the types of toys that are available. how often do they switch them out or get new toys? do they encourage kids to play with more than one kind of toy? how? what are the different "centers" that the classroom offers. |
Anonymous
| outdoor time-how often do they go out? for how long? how is playground supervision handled (very important). you may have read all hose threads about how teachers keep "losing" their charges. also, a lot of injuries happen on the playground so you should make sure the teachers are actually paying attention and not just talking to eachother or on their phones. |
Anonymous
| One thing I didn't think to ask is how many group projects or "team building" (sorry for that term, can't readily think of another) projects are done. DDs school does them once a week and it really helps build f |
Anonymous
| Ack! iPad! Anyway, it builds friendships and kids learn teamwork and sharing. I'm so glad they do this! |
Anonymous
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But with all these ideas, bottom line on the research says that children who feel connected and attached to their teachers are the most successful, disregarding all the other things, especially through the toddler and early preschool years (through age 3).
That one you'll probably feel with your intuitive emotional mama/daddy brain, not the analytical part that takes notes on all these other things. 
There are other resources, but this is one: http://www.zerotothree.org/public-policy/state-community-policy/nitcci/multidisciplinary-consultant-module-1.pdf So when you find the place that feels right to you, let that feeling be part of your research too. |