If your child is two to three years old and you’re starting to consider preschools, how do you begin to evaluate the options and then choose the best one for your family? It can feel a little overwhelming, but we have five tips to help you narrow down the choices and feel confident about the one you ultimately make for your little one.
1. TALK (OR WRITE) IT OUT. A discussion with your child’s other parent is the logical place to start. If you’re parenting alone, perhaps you can talk things over with a trusted friend or write things down. Compile several lists: “must-have,” which includes the things that are non-negotiable such as location, price, operating hours. “Nice extra’s” could include things like optional music or art classes or second language instruction. Your “hard no” list is probably the easiest to come up with and might be comprised of price, location, and operating hours. One caveat: don’t immediately dismiss a school with higher tuition. Some do have financial aid or scholarships, so before you put it on the “hard no” list, check to see what they offer. You may be surprised to find your dream school is affordable with a little assistance.
2. DO YOUR RESEARCH. Once you know what you’re looking for, start your search with recommendations from friends, and then move on to online reviews. Social media groups like the Monterey Bay Parent Group on Facebook can be a great place to get input from parents familiar with the schools you are considering. Toss out the name, and you’re sure to get unfiltered reactions. Be sure to look for a balance, as parents are usually freer with an opinion if they’ve had either a fantastic experience or a terrible one. Don’t let one review on either end of the scale sway you. Dig deeper to see if there is a pattern or if it’s just a one-off experience.
3. NARROW IT DOWN. With research in hand, you will probably be able to get your list down to a few finalists. It may be a scheduling conflict, location, or price that is the deciding factor leading you to drop a preschool from your list. You’re looking to check as many boxes as you can but remember that nothing will be perfect. That’s why the list you made in tip 1 is so important. If everything else matches up, but the preschool doesn’t have music class, how difficult will it be to fill that need in another way? Which 3 or 4 preschools are the closest to your ideal?
4. TIME TO VISIT. Most preschools are limited to virtual visits right now. It’s harder to judge when you can’t watch the teachers interact with students. You’re going to have to rely on your interview with the teacher and school director to get a feel for the school. Have a list of questions ready and listen to the answers carefully. Some of your biggest considerations should be:
• The basics: You’ll need to know the size of each classroom and maximum class size as well as the general educational philosophy. How does the school approach learning? Some preschools are play-based, some introduce reading and math at an early age, and many schools incorporate multiple philosophies. Are your expectations for your child going to be met? Even more importantly, are those expectations realistic? Skilled administrators and teachers should be able to guide parents as well as the child.
Other basics include policies for handling illness, discipline, and whether direct contact with teachers is allowed. What are the emergency plans? For parents who have shared custody, how do administrators handle communicating with both parents?
• Fun: A preschool classroom should be a place of joy and fun. Play is the vehicle through which young children learn everything from vocabulary to math to self-control. Teachers should continually provide new activities and challenges, ask thought-provoking questions, and nudge children to think deeper.
• Parental involvement: In some schools, especially co-ops, parental involvement is a given. Be sure you understand what is expected of parents and that you can meet the demands.
• Physical activity: Little ones shouldn’t be sitting at desks for more than about 15 minutes at a time. They need lots of opportunities to move, wiggle, jump, and play. There should be equipment just for this purpose: climbing structures, tubes for crawling, lots of room to move around.
• Routine: Preschoolers are developing social and emotional skills as well as self-regulation. Good teachers know that one of their primary duties is to help build those skills. One of the main ways that is done with preschoolers is with consistent routines. Ask about the schedule and look for a consistent but not rigid structure. Children feel most safe when they know what to expect.
• Staff: Do you see happy staff? How often does it turn over? Are there teachers who have been at the school for several years? How about the director? Constant turnover is a bad sign and one you want to take seriously. It’s also perfectly fine to ask about teacher pay and benefits. It’s important for many parents to know that their child’s caregivers have a good standard of living and proper healthcare.
The preschool’s teachers are the most important factor in your child’s experience so it’s important to get a good feel for the stability of the staff and their satisfaction with the school management. You should be able to interact with the teacher your child will have ahead of time, don’t limit your interview to the director. Ask lots of questions of the actual teacher and any aides that will be in your child’s class.
5. ONCE YOU MAKE A DECISION, GET ON THE WAITLIST LIST. Many schools have long waitlists. It may be worth a lost deposit or two to get yourself placed on your top two or three lists. That way, if you don’t get into your top choice, you won’t be left floundering for an open spot.
Finally, remember that no decision is irrevocable. If you choose a school that turns out not to be the right fit, you can make a change.
You need to feel comfortable and secure that your child is getting the best care and education possible. You certainly want them to love the preschool and be excited about learning. After spending time to do the research, trust your instincts to help you choose the right preschool for your child and your family.