How to Choose a Preschool for Your Child

How to Choose a Preschool for Your Child (And What are the Important Questions to Ask)

Not all preschools are created equal!  As a parent, you want the absolute best for your child.  Early Childhood Education is an investment in your child and his or her future.  It is very important to learn a few essential things about any preschool before you entrust it with your child's early childhood education.  Every preschool should be clean, safe and provide a positive learning environment, but there is so much more to a school than simply providing a nice facility and friendly teachers.  When choosing a preschool for your child, it is important to ask the right questions.  You may be surprised by what you are able to learn.  

Curriculum (What are the students taught?)

  • Does the school have a formal, structured curriculum for building fundamental skills and concepts?
  • What is the curriculum?
  • What is the schedule of daily activities?  
  • How much time is spent on each subject?  (Language arts, number concepts, art, music, free play, etc.?)

Teaching Method (How are the students taught?)

  • What is the school's educational philosophy?  
  • Does the philosophy fit Your desire for your child?  
  • Are the children free to "wander and discover"?  
  • Are children to "go at their own pace" or do teachers guide students carefully through a structured curriculum daily building concept upon concept?
  • Some schools have a philosophy that teaching structured skills such as reading, and math should be delayed until six years of age.
  • Does the school teach art as a skill or is it crafts?  Do the children do their own work or does the teacher do it for them?

Thinking Skills

  • What does the school do to each thinking skills (logic skills such as sequencing, patterning, categorizing, and prioritizing)?

Self-Reliance

  • Does the school help children to become self-reliant?
  • How does the school foster a child's developing sense of independence?

Student Progress

  • What are the daily, monthly, and annual goals?
  • How will the school track your child's progress and report to you?