touring preschool tomorrow - questions to ask?

Mama Jan

There aren't many preschools around who accept 2 year olds and the one I'm visiting tomorrow is basically our only option *if* we decide to enroll him.

I just realized that I never thought about what things I might want/need to ask.

Any suggestions?  This is totally new territory for me... 

momofolivia

Discipline: what is their policy?  How do they deal with undesirable behavior?  Do their methods correlate to your parenting style?

Food: What do they provide (lunch, snacks, etc.)?  What types of foods do they provide?  If you do not like something can you bring in a like item?  What is their policy on juice, sweet treats, birthdays?  Do these methods correlate to your parenting style?

Schedule: What is their schedule? nap, food?  How often do they go outside? 

Cirriculum: What is their cirriculum?  Do they use TVs/computers for teaching? 

Potty: what is the PT requirements?  Does the child have to know how to undress/dress themselves?  How do they deal with accidents?

Misc.: What are their holidays/days off/training days?  Is there a certain time you have to have your DS in by?  Do they provide nap mats?  What are some hiddne expanses that they may have throughout the year (fundraisers, supply fees, snack rotation) that may not be spelled out up front?

teachers: certified? education? methodolgies for teaching/discipline?

 

lite-bright

I would also ask about

-whether there is any fee for late pick-ups, what it is and when it kicks in

- what their policy is for ensuring only people with permission pick up DC

- whether they do field trips and mode of transportation if they do, and how you'll be notified for permission and/or admission fees

- whether they require or encourage parents volunteering in-class

- what typical supply lists include 

- their sick policy and vax policy 

 

neverblushed

I would want to know about the following categories:

Curriculum/Daily Routine -- how much structure vs. free play? The "curriculum" for a 2 y/o class should be all about learning how to play with others, listen to a teacher, be independent from mommy, and learn how to use our bodies to enjoy running and playing.  If there's too much attention to an "academic" curriculum at the expense of social, emotional, and physical development, I would not feel that's appropriate for a 2 year old.

Discipline -- I'd want their philosophy to be that they try to head off problems before they arise.  But, naturally, kids will still misbehave.  How do they handle it and how do they notify the parent?

Communication -- how will the school communicate events with parents?  Is the school open to me coming to visit and help in the classroom?  What's the procedure for this?

Illness Policy -- schools will have some sort of party line about when you should keep your kid home.  Also, you want to ask about how they notify parents in the event that a child in the school is diagnosed with something really contagious (pink eye, head lice, hand/foot/mouth all spring to mind as examples of things that went through my kids' school at one time or another!)  These things will inevitably happen, and you want the school to make parents aware that their children may have been exposed without calling attention to the affected family!

Potty training -- when do children have to be trained, and what happens in the case of an accident?

Field trips/events/programs -- how often and how much are parents expected to help out?