I knew that I didn't want to go to a large university with classes that had hundreds of students. Nope, I chose a small liberal arts college. That was a good decision. Some of my classes only had about 15 students. And the largest class only had about 60. I never felt like a nobody. I always felt like I could be who I wanted to be. I felt confident during class discussions to share my opinions. It was wonderful. I have no regrets. Even the big loans I took out, are all paid off and when looking back, that college and the experiences I had there really helped shape who I am now.
This is why it's important to consider these 8 things when choosing a preschool.
1. Proximity. In this case, you don't want your child on the other side of the country 😀 or county for that matter. Is it more convenient to have your child’s preschool near home or work? Near your work, your partner's, or somewhere between? Working out the logistics of how you’ll be dropping off and picking up your child from preschool can help narrow down your options.
2. Class size. What are the ratio of teachers to children? A red flag should go up if there seems to be too many kids and not enough adults to care for them. Ask yourself “What kind of childcare or school environment am I looking for?” Do you picture your child in a busy, active place with lots of other children, or are you looking for a small, nurturing environment with just a few kids? Class size should allow for varied group sizes. The children should have some time together as a class, often called “circle time” or “calendar time”. There should be time for teachers to share books with the children, as well as time for the children to play in small groups. Children should also have some small group or one-on-one time with the teacher.
3. Cost. Money is a big factor in choosing a preschool, but aside from tuition you need to be aware if that hefty deposit is refundable. What is the withdrawal policy? You might sign up but then get off the waiting list at your first choice school. Or, if there's a possible mid-year move planned, will you be able to reclaim any of the tuition? This is an investment in your child. Completely optional but beneficial is so many countless ways.
4. Curriculum. Please keep in mind — a preschool curriculum does NOT need to be purchased from a store. However, the director and teachers should know the goals for each age group in the preschool. These goals should be appropriate for the kids’ ages:
- Hands-on activities. Again, children learn through play. Their little bodies need to be fully immersed in the learning. Children should be holding books, touching blocks, moving math manipulatives, listening to music, dancing, etc. They definitely don’t need to be sitting down and filling in worksheets day after day.
- Includes all the details. Music, arts and crafts, lots of books, real pre-writing and writing activities, language experiences, sensory play, science experiments, etc.! Obviously, every day doesn’t need to include every single topic. But the preschool curriculum should focus on well-rounded children!
- Lots of time “just playing”. Children learn through play, so this is incredibly important! How much time is built in for the children to do just that? Often, this is referred to as “center time” or “choice time”. It’s the part of the day when children explore tons of concepts in small groups — maybe they’re building in the block center, telling a story about wild animals in the arctic, or exploring their names.
- Time to play outside. The kiddos need to be playing, running, climbing, riding bikes, etc. outside each and every day!
5. The School Calendar. This is particularly crucial for working parents. Many preschools follow the vacations of the local school district, but what other days will school be off? Are there professional development days, teacher conferences and special holidays? If you need to plan backup childcare, you need to know - and budget -- ahead of time.
6. Communication. Teachers need to be able to talk with you as easily as they do your child. Aside from being easily approachable, find out if the teachers are available for quick side chats at drop off and pick up. Do they offer their email addresses to parents? And if so, how quickly will they get back to you? Monthly newsletters, calendars, and emails may be some ways the school communicates with parents.
7. Atmosphere. What is the look and feel of the school? Does it feel warm and inviting? Or is it cold and institutional? Is it clean and organized, or messy and chaotic? What kind of work is up on the walls? Do you see original art, or posters and worksheets? Is the work placed at eye level so young children can see it? Are the facilities old or new? Do they have a gym or play yard? How often do they use it? Cleanliness: While preschools are apt to be messy (they are a playroom for young children, after all), many moms advise checking that potential preschools are still reasonably clean.
8. Overall Gut Feelings. Consider if this school is a good fit for your child — and you. Can you picture your child thriving here? Will this school engage his interests? How will he do socially in this environment? “Nobody knows your child the way you do,” says Judi Gilles, Program Director of Fruit & Flower, a preschool in Portland, Oregon. “So you have to be able to picture your child in this setting and make sure your child will be comfortable and you will be too.” If you get a bad feeling about a place, don't bring your child there. You are probably right. Also always trust your gut. If something seems off about a place, trust this instinct. Will the school provide references? When visiting the school, ask the teacher or director if they provide references. Don't hesitate to ask, as most preschools are happy to share parent references upon request. When you call the reference, have a list of questions ready so you won't forget anything. Consider asking what the parent likes the least and the most about the program, how communication is handled, and how their child likes the preschool. There is much to learn from speaking to other parents at the school and getting the inside scoop.
Every family is different so these considerations will differ based on your needs. By comparing the cost, location, length of the school day and quality of the playground, it may seem obvious where to send your kid for a day of finger painting and circle time. There are hundreds of factors to consider, but these are just my list of 8 things to consider when choosing a preschool.
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