How to Pick out a Preschool

When looking for a preschool or daycare, there are eleven questions that every parent must ask themselves about each school. Print out this list, and look it over before and after you visit each school.

1. Is the classroom child oriented? When you first see a classroom sometimes you are impressed by the new wall to wall carpet and toys. If the walls are nicely decorated and everything looks good, it makes the school seem professional. Although it's tempting for all of us to form impressions this way, I suggest that ignore the beauty of the environment. The most important thing that you should look for is there a wide choice of interesting activities for both large and small motor skills. Also, gauge how much playspace the school allows. Is there enough room for the children to move about freely?
2. Are the children free to enjoy the activities or are they expected to sit still for long periods of time? Children who can move about experience the joy of learning. Children learn by doing and that always means that there is some kind of energy being expended.
3. Are all the children treated the same? Group learning and story time are great, but every child is different in his approach to learning. Children who are the same age are not at the same level - academically or physically. Does the teacher treat the students as individuals?
4. What is the student- teacher ratio? There should be one staff member for ten students at age four. The younger your child is, the higher the teacher to child ratio should be.
5. Are parents encouraged to stop by and participate in the school? A school that has nothing to hide encourages parent involvement.
6.  Is the environment safe? Are the chairs, tables, shelves and even toilets child sized? Is there an adequate security system to keep out unwanted people? Are all harsh chemicals and pesticides kept away from children?
7.  What is the attitude of the staff and director? Do they have time to talk to you and the children? Are they confidant or defensive when you ask questions?
8. What is the role of the teacher in the classroom? Is the teacher a conductor of constructive activity or a dictator to be obeyed? When a child has a problem does the teacher understand how the child feels and thinks? Does the teacher enjoy the children? A sense of humor is always a plus.
9. How do the children get along with each other? Do the children bully or hit each other? Aggressive behavior is a sign that the children have to sit long periods of time with little to do. Often times they hit each other and fight when they are not kept constructively busy.
10. What type of discipline is used? Are the teachers using negative body and verbal language to control the children? An ideal situation is when the rules and etiquette are clearly understood by the children. The best type of punishment is a short time out. Any child who has greater discipline problems needs to have to teachers and parents works out a solution.
11. What does your child think of the school? Although you may not want to take your child to all the schools you visit, you should make her part of the decision process when once you have narrowed down the schools to your top two or three. This will make the transition from home to school so much easier for your child. At the end of the day, most important person to listen to is your child. Trust your intuition. Teachers and directors expect you to ask questions, so be bold and ask them. Your decision may mean the difference between your child succeeding or failing in school.