| 217;s time for preschool! That’s the easy | | | | special diet? Will the teacher work with you on |
| part. The hard part is deciding which preschool is | | | | providing appropriate snacks? |
| best for you and for your child. Plan on spending | | | | 7. Of course, hours of operation and cost are |
| some time doing your homework. The payoff is | | | | certainly a factor in choosing the right preschool. |
| worth it. Here are some important tips to keep in | | | | But it is important to find out what happens if you |
| mind as you do. | | | | are late picking up your child, or late paying your |
| 1. Visit the preschool. It may take a couple of | | | | tuition. Is there an additional charge or a late fee? |
| hours but it will be time well-spent. | | | | 8. What is the teacher like? Do the children seem |
| 2. Take time to visit with the teacher(s). Ask | | | | to enjoy and feel safe with her? What credentials |
| questions. What is the philosophy of the | | | | does she have? Even though credentials are |
| preschool? Is it academic-based, or play-based? | | | | important they do not tell the entire story, so be |
| Do they incorporate more than one way of | | | | careful. You want to find a teacher that can relate |
| teaching into their curriculum? Children learn in | | | | to a child, help him or her learn and make them |
| different ways, and every child can benefit from | | | | feel loved and important. |
| the repetition of several different learning | | | | 9. Are there a variety of activities for a child to |
| methods being used for the same concept. Also, | | | | do? Are the craft projects and the activities |
| does the teacher allow the child to do their work, | | | | appropriate to the ages of the children? When |
| even if it means it might not be perfect – | | | | they finish with a project what do they do while |
| or does the child’s work need to look just | | | | other children are still working. Do the activities |
| like the teacher’s looks? | | | | foster imagination, self-esteem and learning? |
| 3. What is the discipline policy of the school? What | | | | 10. Is the preschool a true preschool or is it mainly |
| happens when your child acts inappropriately? If it | | | | just a daycare? Preschool will usually be a half day |
| keeps happening will you as the parent be | | | | and will usually offer much more structure for |
| contacted? Are the children expected to work | | | | your child’s learning. |
| out differences with another child should they | | | | 11. Is the facility clean? Is the equipment |
| arise? | | | | well-taken care of or is it run down and worn? |
| 4. Do the teachers treat the children with love | | | | How the preschool looks can often give you a |
| and respect? Are the children in the classroom | | | | quick feel for the attitude of the owners. |
| happy and do they like being at preschool? When | | | | 12. One final question you may want to ask |
| they come home from pre-school are they | | | | yourself: How do you feel? Your gut feeling is |
| excited to talk about (or show) the things they | | | | usually a pretty good indicator. |
| were doing that day? | | | | Follow these tips and your chances of finding an |
| 5. Does the school have an open door policy? Can | | | | excellent preschool for your children will be much |
| you observe a class? | | | | higher. And you’ll feel more comfortable |
| 6. What kinds of snacks are served? Are they | | | | and confident as you bring them each day. |
| nutritious? What if your child has an allergy or a | | | | |