How do you choose a pre-school for your child?

Question

For example when considering a pre-school do you choose it according to staffing levels, ages of staff, type of equipment, number of rooms, garden etc.etc.? What is the MOST important thing, and what is the LEAST important.

Thank you.

Answer 1

you have got to think about distance even if that not important. i however went on word of mouth spoke to mothers in area most of them knew which ones were best to go to the age of staff wouldnt really bother me as long as the kids look happy. i would suggest you go visit some and you;ll know from that which ones are good

Answer 2

well i would look at the age level and also i would check out what they will learn and how long it is and how much fun your child will have because you want them to have a fun time learning and you want them to learn more and to want to go back to school

Answer 3

i look at the staff to child ratio-

the stuff they do/if its fun for my kids-thats the most important

the age of the staff to me is irrelevant-if they do a good job thats all that counts

Answer 4

according to staff &distancy

Answer 5

I own a day nursery and am doing early years professional status. I've got very clear ideas about what I would look for if I was choosing a preschool for my children....

Don't take too much notice of the Ofsted report - I've been to far too may "outstanding" nurseries which pull out all the stops when Ofsted are there, but don't do any of those things on a regular basis - (the same thing goes for schools!! )

However, I would take notice of any Ofsted 'actions' and satisfactories (where they've picked up on problems), to make sure they're nothing too significant, because if they can't get it right when Ofsted are there, chances are it's even worse on a daily basis (don't worry if it's only paper work problems, such as having a policy missing, that's easy fixed).

Look for a preschool which allows children to follow their own interests and gives them the opportunity to choose what they want to do. Avoid preschools with set themes and the 'today we're all going to make a ...." attitude. It should be child-led, not adult led. There should be loads of activities available all the time - indoors and out - with adults observing children and helping them to extend their play and learn as they play. If you see worksheets - forget it!!

Preschool children learn through doing, not through being told, so there should be lots of first hand opportunities and real life experiences. Also, check the staff's qualifications - there's tons of training available these days, so they should all be qualified, up to foundation degree level if possible. And don't be swayed by people who 'talk the talk', lots of preschool leaders think their setting's fantastic and will tell you that, but take a critical look. Are the children engaged in what they are doing, and are most of them smiling, or even better, laughing? (most important!!) The good news is that most preschools are pretty good these days!

It's a minefield. Good luck :-)

Answer 6

Student to teacher ratio. Go there and you get a feel for it as well. Guarrentee you like it your child will like it. Talk to other parents of children that go or have gone to that particular pre-school. Least important ages of staff.

Answer 7

You need to visit, meet the teachers and spend some time observing the classroom.  You will know if you are comfortable with the teachers and the routines/expectations this way.  You need to be involved :)

Answer 8

Go onto www.ofsted.gov.uk & find out about there latest reports. This is how i have always chosen the best school at of all, its very helpfull.

Answer 9

first of all, i will consider the building safety. the staff must love children. the pre-school can teach my children read english fluently.

Answer 10

Hi!

Well, I don't have babies, yet, but many questions are so important too...

- Do you know the School?

- Do you know the Director and the Teachers?

- Do you trust in them?

- Do you know (and trust) in the Pedagogic Proposal?

Responding to your question ...

The most important is:

As the child builds his knowledge in school.

The least important is:

The distance from the school to my house and the value of the monthly.

Well, is it!

Carmen

Answer 11

First I look over the literature, and see which ones I'm drawn to.

Second, I consider the experience/opinion of other parents.

Third, I visit and ask questions at the pre-schools I'm interested in.  

Finally, I go with my gut feeling, based primarily on the staff I saw and/or spoke to, the ones my child will interact with.

Answer 12

Depending on the age of you child if under 3 can be anywere but 3 and above its genrally in a school setting and that depends on were you live and wether the setting you want your child to go to is within your catchment area

Answer 13

Do survey, have a parent orientation with the supervisior of all the preschool on your list. To know  & understand their curriculum, schedule & enviroment of the school.

Most importantly, kid have to feel comfortable & not stress.