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The ABC's of Preschool by Kayla Bunge
As your child crawls past the terrific twos, it's time to start thinking about preschool. Besides the basics -- cost, location and transportation -- it's important to consider a handful of other things when selecting a preschool program for your child.
Ask about the teachers What are their educational backgrounds? Are they trained to work with young children? Are there enough teachers to provide good supervision and enough attention to each child? The National Institute for Early Education Research recommends lead teachers be required to have at least a bachelor's degree and assistant teachers be required to hold a CDA or have received equivalent training. NIEER also recommends class sizes be limited to no more than 20 children and that at least one staff member be present per 10 children in a classroom. Do they seem to enjoy and respect the children? Is there warmth between the teachers and the children? The children should seem comfortable with the teachers. The teachers should be approachable as well as firm when necessary. Teachers should interact with the children on all levels -- individually, in small groups and as a class.
Ask about the program Does it allow time for a variety of individual and group activities? Are there intellectually stimulating activities as well as enjoyable ones? Is there time for outdoor as well as indoor play? Children need lots of different chances and ways to learn. They should be involved and absorbed in interesting activities most of the time; they should not have to sit quietly listening to the teacher for a long period of time. Every day should include time for teachers to read to individuals, small groups and the entire class.
Look at the classroom Are all areas, indoors and outdoors, safe? Are there distinct areas for reading, playing and group activities? Is the room inviting? Is the noise level pleasing? Is there a comfortable space for children to calm down alone? There should be blocks, trucks and dolls for imaginative play; art materials; puzzles and games; and music. The children's artwork should be displayed throughout the classroom.
Observe the children Do the children seem happy and truly absorbed in their activities most of the time? Are the classroom rules fair and consistently applied? Does the teacher help misbehaving children reflect on their behavior, clearly stating what kind of behavior is expected? Picture your child in the classroom. Will he or she thrive there? Will he or she be comfortable? Will he or she get along with the other children? Listen for positive discipline words: "Remember to walk" rather than "Stop running!" or "Use your indoor voices" rather than "Stop shouting!" Find out if the school encourages parental involvement. Does the teacher discuss the children's behavior with the parents at scheduled times as well as informally? Are parents welcome to visit and observe at any time? Parents and teachers need to work together to help children grow. Listen for statements like, "Here's a book we read today that your child really liked. Would you like to take it home to read?"
As a parent, you won't be happy with your child's preschool unless you feel that your child is in a safe, healthy, nurturing place. The extra time it takes to research your options and spend time looking at preschools will pay off.
Resource The National Association for Early Childhood Education (NAEYC) maintains a regularly-updated online listing of accredited preschool programs. Visit their Web site at www.naeyc.org. Sources: The Illinois Early Learning Project, the University of Wisconsin-Extension, the National Institute for Early Education Research and the National Association for Early Childhood Education
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