Do you take your kids when you do preschool tours?

[Anonymous]

We have a soon to be 2 year old and a 4 year old. DH thinks we can go without them but I think it's nice to bring the kids along. Esp. the 4 year old.

[Anonymous]

I toured 7 or 8 and never brought my child.

[Anonymous]

I always did as I didn't have other child care and they had strong opinions.

[Anonymous]

No. The tours aren't meant for them and they're often disruptive.

[Anonymous]

We did not, but we also never toured for age 4 .... I can see why you’d want to bring the older one

[Anonymous]

No, they would be a big distraction at that age

[Anonymous]

We did not, but we also never toured for age 4 .... I can see why you’d want to bring the older one

[Anonymous]

Yes to preschool open house on weekends, but no during preschool hours on weekdays. Once I narrow down to 1-2 choices, then yes I bring my kid to look around. But my son was 2 at that time, so I carried him in my arm the whole time (did not want to be disruptive).

[Anonymous]

The only time I took my daughter was when she was 6 months old and slept in the stroller the whole time. Would never have taken her at her current age (3.5) as she would absolutely be disruptive because she naturally would want to play in the classrooms.

[Anonymous]

No. DH and I choose, so why risk having the kid fall in love with a place that I wouldn’t choose? Plus they are so disruptive - director feels they have to focus on the kid so ignores the parents on the tour, have to be called ten times to leave the room with the new toys, etc.

Leave them at home if possible.

[Anonymous]

No, but the ones around have a "playdate" for kids at some point, which I found helpful because my DS liked ones but not others. We are lucky to have choices in preschools where we live, at about the same price point, so we had options.

There was one preschool that I heard rave reviews about, so many good things. The teachers were supposedly wonderful, there was an emphasis on exploring nature, the only con was the physical space which was a bit small and old. Another preschool had a great physical plant, but was more structured, but I didn't hear such great reviews, though the teachers seemed good. I felt it was a bit cold on the whole.

I was leaning toward the first until my son visited. He didn't like it at all. He was not interested in the toys/things they had out and seemed to have a visceral negative reaction to the small space. On the other hand, he really enjoyed his playdate at the other preschool. He loved the space, loved what they had.

We ended up choosing that one, and it was a good choice for him.

[Anonymous]

I hear what people are saying re: disruptive bringing kids. However, I didn't have an option except to bring my daughter, and it was interesting. She definitely had different reactions to different places. One preschool she just HATED - started crying instantly when we went in there. Also, it was interesting to see the staff interact with her. Two people at this preschool that she hated said to her "are you always this shy?" It was a big turnoff, and it made me thankful that I had brought her. When we did the tour at the preschool she ended up going to, she walked in an instantly smiled and wanted to play in the classrooms. That was a good sign to me.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I hear what people are saying re: disruptive bringing kids. However, I didn't have an option except to bring my daughter, and it was interesting. She definitely had different reactions to different places. One preschool she just HATED - started crying instantly when we went in there. Also, it was interesting to see the staff interact with her. Two people at this preschool that she hated said to her "are you always this shy?" It was a big turnoff, and it made me thankful that I had brought her. When we did the tour at the preschool she ended up going to, she walked in an instantly smiled and wanted to play in the classrooms. That was a good sign to me.

+1

A preschool that can handle a visiting child is a preschool you want your child to attend.

Every one we visited told us in advance that it was fine to bring DC--I didn't ask, they mentioned it. They wanted the child there, likely so they could see how she reacted. They're probably assessing your kid as much as you're assessing their preschool.

The one we ended up choosing was the one where DC walked over and plopped down happily at the edge of the group when we visited one classroom where they were starting a circle time with the teacher reading a story. DC loved stories, so sat and listened. The director who was showing us around had said it was OK for me to let go of DC's hand and let her go to the group. The director asked, oh, does she know some of these children already? Nope, she was just super comfortable there.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:No. DH and I choose, so why risk having the kid fall in love with a place that I wouldn’t choose? Plus they are so disruptive - director feels they have to focus on the kid so ignores the parents on the tour, have to be called ten times to leave the room with the new toys, etc.

Leave them at home if possible.

Re: Risking the kid falling in love with a place--at that young age they really aren't necessarily going to remember all about the visit later (unless it's a preschool with some especially fabulous playground or something--?). We were visiting preschools over a period of several months so it wasn't like kid was going to love a place and I'd have to say the same day, sorry, you can't go back. As for having to drag a visiting child away from the toys etc., the staff should have a better plan for tours that includes distracting kids away in a situation like that.

[Anonymous]

Most specifically say children are not invited.