Choosing a Preschool

First, I am glad to be back blogging for you! I took a little time off this summer to spend some time with my son! I highly recommend you take time with your kids when you can. Just worry about spending time with them and nothing else! It is glorious!

With school starting back, many parents are contemplating sending their children to preschool. Sending your little one to preschool can be scary. They are so young and won't be with you! Since both my husband and I have jobs, we had to find one for my son when we moved to Arkansas. Here are some things to look for when choosing a preschool for your little one.

1. Ask around about different preschools. Sometimes the best information is from people who have experienced the preschool themselves. Get a feel for different preschools and the pros and cons of each. A good reputation shows you a lot about a school!

2. Find out the teacher to student ratio. You want this to be low. You don't want to have a teacher who has to keep track of 12 two year olds by themselves. It isn't good for the teacher or the children. My son has 10 children in his class with three teachers. It is wonderful. The children are able to connect with a teacher and the class is able to stay in control.

3. Look into the cost of the preschool. Preschools vary in price from low to extremely high. Make sure that the cost of the preschool fits into your budget and doesn't cause you financial instability.

 4. Distance from your home. This is important because you will have to take your child to school in the morning before work or while others are going to work if you do not work yourself. Traffic can be heavy in the mornings and after work so look at the routes you would take and factor in how long it will take you. This will affect your morning routine, what time you have to get up, leave the house, etc. This is important!

 

5. Find out if the school is accredited. You want a school that is driven to meet educational standards and actually meets them! You also want to make sure they have a valid and current license to run a preschool.

 

6. Find out the schools philosophy on discipline, rules, and philosophy on education. These are all very important since your child will be affected by these. Make sure the schools has a positive and inviting atmosphere to learning and exploring. This includes their philosophy on playing and activities as well! Kids need to learn but also have fun at school!

 

7. Take a visit to the school and meet the teachers and principal/coordinator of the school. Make sure you are comfortable with them and the location at which your child will be. Make sure the facility is clean and well kept. Then take your child to the school and see how they react in the environment. It is good for them to get comfortable with the school before the first time you leave them there. Especially if they have never been to preschool before. It can be scary for little ones!

 

 

8. Ask about the policies of the school. Things you may ask about are illness policies, absence policies, when money is due each month, how does the school deal with social and emotional issues, etc.

 

9. Ask and see what the parent involvement is. If you are wanting to be very involved in your child's preschool experience, this is an important question!

 

10. Pray about it and really talk to those your trust most about it. Really put thought into it before you choose one. Do not be afraid to ask questions at the school and questions to those who are already experiencing preschool with their children. Your child's happiness is your number one priority and seeking to find the perfect preschool is totally acceptable.

 

Good luck! I hope you find the perfect preschool for you and your child!

Until next time,