Preschool questions

jen~n~brett

Next week DH and I are going to visit a preschool for the fall. What are some things we should be on the look out for? we've never done anything like this and I'm afraid we are going to overlook something. It's a two year old program, but we would like to keep her in the same school through kindergraten.

Soon2beMrs.Sivert

I'd look at the way the teacher interacts with the children or your child (if present), the teacher to child ratio, the "feeling" of the room and facilities, and the curriculum. 

We went with a faith based program and that was one of our biggest factors.  

queenbone

The one I chose was mostly just because it was w/i walking distance of our house.  One of DH's friend's children go there too so we had a word of mouth rec.

The one thing I wish I had asked what they do about disciplining children.  His teacher is a little more tough love than I'd like.

muppet.fan

Ditto the others -- teacher to child ratio, feel of the room, teacher-kid interaction, discipline methods, if that's a factor for you. E's pre-school/daycare uses positive discipline instead of fear-based discipline, which was important to me.

Maybe extent of parent involvement? Field trips?  Have fun -- I love walking into E's school, which is one way I knew it was the right place!

kittylove

I would also think ahead of time about how play based vs educational you want it. I know educational based is "in" right now but think about how early you really want to start worksheets and such. We picked a very play based preschool, it is all about teaching play skills and cooperative play. I really belive kids learn better through play so it was important to me that his school be play based.