School Guide

Finding the best preschool for your kids

Published by SchoolAdvisor | Oct 28, 2013

Once you decide that your child is ready for preschool, you need to find a good program. Some families apply to the best schools when their child is born, especially in big cities. After you've identified two or three promising schools, apply to all of them. That way, if you don't get into your first choice, you'll have a backup or two. To find the best program for your child, follow the six steps below;

Identify your priorities

First, decide what you want. Are you looking for a preschool near your workplace, or would one closer to home be more convenient? What activities do you want to be included in the curriculum? Are you looking for a special approach to learning? Write down everything so as you size up potential programs you’ll have a list to refer to.

Do your research

• Ask around to find the most reputable preschools. Friends and family can give you the names of schools they've liked, and we all know that personal references are the best kind.
• Ask some experts.
• Go online. Search schooladvisor.my for preschool listings.
• Turn to the phone book, but keep in mind it's a limited resource. Your Yellow Pages should have a list of preschools in your area, but this is just a starting point because the listings are unscreened.

 

 

Visit and interview

You can ask a few preliminary questions over the phone (to find out fees, for example), but you won't get a sense of what a preschool is really like until you go there and meet the staff and director. Also, get a schedule of daily activities. Pay attention to your gut feelings about the place and how the director handles your questions.

When you visit the classrooms, check the teacher-child ratios (1:5 is ideal for 2- to 3-year-olds, 1:7 is ideal for 3- to 4-year-olds, 1:15 is acceptable for 5-year-olds), and note how many children are in a classroom.

You'll want a regular, challenging curriculum; a warm, clean, safe environment; and experienced teachers who are paid well and happy with their jobs. Ask about staff turnover. If the teachers change every six months, move on. Children crave consistency and need to form strong relationships with their caregivers, so you don't want a preschool where teachers come and go.

Check references

Positive word-of-mouth is a powerful endorsement. If a certain preschool has a buzz, ask parents why they're raving about it. Ask each school you're considering for a list of parents whose children have attended the school. Call them, and ask specific questions. If their child is no longer there, ask them why.

Kid-test it

Visit the school with your kid. You'll want to see how they interact with teachers and whether they seem comfortable in the preschool's environment. Do they enjoy the activities? Do the teachers seem interested in getting to know your child?

Get on the waiting list

If the preschool of your dreams has no openings, don't despair. Put yourself on the waiting list, and, while you're at it, write a letter spelling out why you like the school so much. It won't guarantee you a place, but it can't hurt to let the school know how enthusiastic you are about the program.

 

 

Related topics;

Tips for assessing primary schools

Important questions to ask when looking for a secondary school