By Catherine Hogan
You blinked! Time has flown by since the birth of your child, and here you are, already needing to make a big educational decision: which preschool your child will attend. First of all, congratulations! By deciding that your child will attend preschool, you already realize that early education is very important. Children should have this opportunity to learn and grow among peers in all domains of development, including social-emotionally, cognitively, physically, and educationally, before going to kindergarten.
What is the right preschool for your child? Here are some thoughts to consider as you begin your search.
1. Safety is essential. Be sure that the center you choose follows safety rules. The physical building should have locks, enclosed playgrounds, outlet covers, furniture in good condition, etc. The size of the school does not matter, but the number of children in each class does. If the preschool is licensed by the CT Office of Early Childhood, the following of many safety standards is required and monitored for you, including items such as programs strictly following the staff-to-child ratio of 1:10 and class sizes never exceeding 20 children.
2. Quality counts. If the center is accredited by the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC), here again your work is done for you. NAEYC advises that the school follows “Best Practice” in all areas of teaching and running a program, so you can know that the center is following methods such as teaching coping skills and conflict resolution over using “time outs” unless necessary. That is NOT to say that a non-accredited preschool does not follow best practices – there are wonderful preschools that do follow these high standards without being accredited; but going with a NAEYC-accredited school can shorten your list of questions on your tour.
3. Communication is key. How will you learn about your child’s day – what they did and how? How will you receive information on upcoming events? Are there parent-teacher conferences throughout the year? A strong communication policy is vital, whether it is via an app, email, or paper. Schools and families must work together for the best care and education of the children.
4. Developmental tracking is important. Do the teachers track your child’s growth and development using the CT ELDS (Connecticut Early Learning & Development Standards) or another established framework? This can help with the identification of concerns. If there is a need for additional support, does the preschool work with the public school or another agency to assess and provide that support (if not, do they have someone on staff who does)? When needed, getting your child that additional educational and developmental support as soon as possible is crucial.
5. Location, location, location. You need to have the ability to get to the preschool to pick up your child in a timely manner in cases of inclement weather, illness, or emergencies. If you cannot, do you have someone who can be that person in your stead? Having your child attend school in the town where you live can allow them to go to kindergarten with some established friendships. If this is not the case, do not worry; children are social, and make new friends all the time.
6. Hours of operation may help you decide. Do you need all-day care? Or is a partial day more suited to you? Although every activity throughout the child’s day is a teachable moment, most educational activities including at the full-day centers occur within the first few hours, so do not feel that your child will be lacking in their early education if they attend a half-day program.
7. Let’s face it, money may matter, too. If this is so, inquire about the rates and whether the program can offer scholarships, payment plans, and/or governmental funding support. These can certainly help, especially in the face of rising costs everywhere.
8. Inviting Environment. Preschools should be happy places. (This does not mean you will not hear crying – tears go with the territory while children learn to use their words to express their needs and wants.) How does the preschool feel to you? Do you sense warmth and see smiles? It is important that you can place your trust in the staff, especially since this may be the first time you are leaving your child with someone that you do not know well. You will be taking a leap of faith when you drop off your child at school, and you need to feel comfortable with your choice.
Choosing the right preschool is about fit and feel – and one size does not fit all. Word of mouth can be helpful, but needs are different, and YOU need to feel good about where you are sending your child to school. You are your child’s first teacher and lifelong advocate. Choose a program that feels right for you and your child. Do your homework (of course I will say that!): research and visit the preschools, ask the questions that are important to you, and choose the school that feels like that next stepping stone you want for your child, as they take their first step in their educational journey. Above all, do not forget to enjoy this process, too. As you have already learned, time flies. You will blink and be sending them off to college!
Catherine Hogan is the Director of Early Care and Education at Family Centers. With four sites located in central Greenwich, Family Centers offers NAEYC-accredited, full-day, full-year early education services for children between the ages of 6 weeks and 5 years. For more information, visit www.familycenters.org/ece.
