Find a Great Preschool!

Early education lays the foundation to help kids make a smooth transition from infancy into the school years. Research has found that kids who attend preschool programs are better prepared for kindergarten. Are you searching for the right early learning program? Follow these tips to help you find the right preschool for your child.  

Start Your Search Early

Many schools have a waitlist, so it’s important to start the preschool search months before your child is ready to enroll. Researching preschools can be a lengthy process, so start early. Some communities offer early education fairs, and many preschools hold open houses. Take advantage of these events to help make your decision early. The earlier you decide on a school, the more likely you will be able to secure a spot for your child when he reaches enrollment age. Never assume you are starting your search too early. I joined a waitlist for a childcare facility when I was pregnant and didn’t receive a phone call about an open spot until my daughter was 3 years old.

Referrals

Talk to your friends, family and neighbors about what preschools they chose for their children and why. Ask about their experiences and what the pros and cons were of the school. Referrals will give you an idea of what schools you might want to tour and learn more about. You can also read reviews about schools online, but don’t rely simply on online reviews to make your decision.

Meet the Teachers

You will usually meet with the preschool director when taking a tour. However, the teachers are who your children will be spending most of their time with.  Studies show that teachers with higher education usually translate to higher levels of care. Search out teachers who have formal training, such as a college degree in child development, early childhood education or a related field. You will also want to see whether the teacher is positive and in good spirits with the students. Ask whether you can sit in on a classroom. Is the teacher interactive and engaging? Does she use positive discipline? Is the classroom under control? And most importantly, are the children learning and having fun? It’s also important to look at the staff turnover rate. Constant staff changes can be distracting to your child’s learning environment. Every school has minimums regarding teacher to child ratio. Does the school meet the minimums?

Preschool programs for young children are becoming more and more common. According to the National Center for Education Statistics, 68 percent of 4-year-olds and 40 percent of 3-year-olds were enrolled in a preschool program in 2017. However, the National Institute of Child Health and Development (NICHD) found that fewer than 10 percent of the facilities it surveyed fall in the “very high quality” category.

Full Time or Part Time?

A big decision when selecting a preschool is whether your child is ready for a full day of school or would do better in a part-time program. According to a study by the Journal of the American Medical Association, children are better prepared for learning and social interaction in full-time preschool than in part-time programs. However, every child is different. Not all children will be prepared to start a full-time program. For example, a child who has never been in childcare outside of her home might not feel as comfortable spending an entire day away from her parents, and a child who takes a two-hour nap every day might be better suited for a half-day program, so he can get home in time to rest. Many children start part-time preschool at the age of 3 and transition to full-time preschool when they turn 4.

Ask About the Preschool’s Philosophy and Learning Structure

Kimberly Cordonnier, children’s program director at UCP of Northwest Missouri and mother of two from St. Joseph, MO, says parents should make sure the philosophy of the school aligns with what they value in their child’s early education. For example, some programs focus mainly on academics while others incorporate social skills along with academics.

Cordonnier says there are two different types of learning structures in the preschool setting. Teacher-led structure is more academic based. “The teacher is the one deciding what to teach young children and what experiences they should have,” she says. “Classroom time is devoted to learning letters and sounds, distinguishing shapes and colors, telling time and other skills. The teacher seems to follow a thematic curriculum that involves drills and practice. The focus seems to be more on memorization and not focused on developing the whole child.”

Child-led learning is more play-based. Teachers observe the children’s interests and choose topics that align with those interests. “Teachers are able to introduce social emotional skills along with academic concepts that include hands-on experiences based on the children’s interests,” Cordonnier says. “Child-led activities are more meaningful to young children, and more learning is taking place.  Child-led activities allow children to be creative and work on their problem-solving skills.”

Read the Handbook

Before you enroll your child, make sure you read the entire parent handbook. Ensure the school’s hours, holiday schedule, tuition rates, vacation and other policies work for you and your family. Typically, schools have other fees that aren’t included in the tuition, such as registration fees, supply fees, technology fees, fees for field trips and daily snacks. Calculate all costs involved before signing the agreement. Some schools also have annual tuition increases, so keep that in mind as well.

Trust Your Gut

A parent’s intuition is usually right, so trust your gut instincts. If the classroom looks fun and joyful while you’re taking a tour, and the children seem engaged and excited, that’s a good sign. If you and your child feel comfortable and have a good first impression of the school and its staff, you may have found the right preschool. If something doesn’t seem right, ask more questions and address any concerns you might have. Feel free to make an unexpected visit to see how the preschool runs outside of visiting hours. The most important thing is to find a place where your child loves to come learn every day.

Regan Lyons is a girl mom and freelance writer. She lives with her husband, Cale, and daughters, Atley, 7, and Ensley, 1, in St. Joseph, Mo.