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Pre-School and Daycare
Choosing a preschool: I'M SO CONFUSED!!
Hi all...hoping to get some guidance as to how to choose a preschool for my son to start in September (he'll be 3 years old then). I've looked at small daycares, medium/large daycare centers, and they all seem great. I honestly have no idea how to compare them, when they all look really good. The only negative I have for the small daycare is that it has an earlier closing time than the larger ones. Not a big deal. I had the typical stereotype in my head that large centers were cold and sterile, but was proven wrong after visiting a few larger ones. Pleasantly surprised!
And that leaves me completely stumped.
What were the top 3 reasons you chose your preschool? was it a small center or larger one?
Thanks in advance!
p.s. i have it narrowed down to 3 places, 2 large, 1 small if that helps at all.
This discussion has been closed.
Re: Choosing a preschool: I'M SO CONFUSED!!
What's the student teacher ratio?
Do they have the same schedule during the day?
Same amount of time outside?
Are the classrooms comparable? One of the places we went to had a tiny classroom and expected the kids to sit in their chairs all day because there wasn't an area for playing--- my DS would not have done well there.
We just went through this, and the one we chose was the only one we really felt good about. We knew it was the right fit from the start for our DS. But I would say our top 3 were:
-Small class size (regardless of student teacher ratio, we wanted a small class in general)
-Big on lots of outdoor time and nature exploration
- Director/teacher that had the same educational values and philosophies as us
Are you only looking at daycares or are you also looking at nursery schools/pre-schools?
I would want to know what the teachers' education level and experience is. Also what is the general philosophy/approach of the schools?
Oh i'm sorry, yes i'm looking at nursery schools/preschools. NOT daycares. He's in a daycare now. My mistake.
We are in the process of looking too. Some things I think about/ask when visiting:
Student/teacher ratio
What curriculum do they use
What is their bathroom routine like
Are snacks/lunches provided
What is naptime like
What is the teacher's educational background
How is religion incorperated into learning (a lot of the preschools here are at churches)
How much time is spent outside playing
as a child care professional myself, i would pick a school with a play based curriculum that supports creativity and not lessons. i would pick a smaller classroom for many reasons - less germs being passed around, sanitation, small groups support stronger friendships.
pick one that is close to your job or home
-What type of curriculum do they use (ours uses ABEKA---it's a Christian academic curriculum)
-How long have the teachers been teaching there? What is there educational background?
-How close is it to your job and home?
-What does their school day look like?
-What is their bad behavior policy?
-How clean do the facilities look?
-Any license violations?
-Student/teacher ratio?
-How involved are the parents?
1) developmental (social and play skills based) rather than educational
2) Teachers: How long have they been there? What kind of education? What is the staff to child ratio? Personality?
I am located in Knoxville, TN. The Goddard School in Knoxville has 9 classrooms. Children range in age from 6 weeks to 6 years and they are open all year long. Their hours of operation are 7 AM - 6 PM Monday thru Friday. They have a great philosophy, curriculum based, teachers all have a degree or are in the process of getting one, first aid, cpr certified. I always say, don't schedule an appointment, just walk in! If you don't have a good feeling, turn around and walk back out! See if you can bring your child in for a few hours and observe the interaction that takes place with teachers and other children, ask if you can speak to any parents whose children currently attend the school? Just a few of my thoughts. Goddard is a franchise and I know they have over 370+ schools! I am very happy and please with them!
Good Luck!
As a former teacher, I took preschool selection very seriously and went in with the eyes of a teacher. I decided to write a little guide for other parents who needed some guidelines:
https://noobmommy.com/2011/09/noob-mommys-guide-to-choosing-a-preschool.html#.Tx3Q2KWvJ8E
I hope it helps you out. I added two free printables on there for you to use. You can take them with you on a clipboard or something as you compare your school selections. Good luck!